Okonjo-Iweala announces candidacy for second term as WTO Director-General

World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is seeking another four-year term as head of the organization.

She officially announced her candidacy a month after 58 member states supported the Africa Group of the WTO’s proposal for her to serve as chair of the organisation for a second term.

While she appreciated the support she received at the time, she promised to relay her feedback to members.

Giving her views to Reuters on Monday, Okonjo-Iweala said she was willing to apply for the position.

“I would like to be part of this chapter of WTO history and I am ready to run for this position.

“In my second term, I intend to focus on achieving my goals,” she said.

According to her, the priority was to take care of unfinished business.

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Speaking about the chances of limited support if former United States (US) President Donald Trump wins the upcoming election, she said, “I am not focusing on that because I have no control over it.”

The Trump administration blocked Okonjo-Iweala’s 2020 nomination.

The United States favored her opponent, Korean Yoo Myung-hee, because the WTO needed “someone with real, practical experience in this area.”

However, on February 15, 2021, she secured US support when Joe Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

Commenting on his work, the WTO head admitted that it was difficult.

Okonjo-Iweala said geopolitical tensions among the WTO’s 166 members “pose a serious challenge”.

“It’s hard, you know, very hard. You can’t avoid it. But it’s also the job that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning,” she added.

Okonjo-Iweala’s current term ends at the end of August 2025.