Okonjo-Iweala Set For WTO DG Re-election at Next Meeting

By Adedapo Adesanya

The incumbent Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is set to retain her seat as she was the only candidate who indicated an interest in the role as of the November 8 nomination deadline.

The trade body will convey a special meeting of its General Council to advance the process for selecting the next Director-General, according to a statement issued by the Chairman of the General Council, Mr Petter Ølberg of Norway on Tuesday.

He said the meeting will be held on November 28-29, 2024.

The meeting follows the announcement by the Chair on November 9 that no candidates for the position of Director-General had emerged by the nomination deadline, other than the incumbent Director-General.

In his communication to members, Mr Ølberg said that, based on his contacts with delegations over the past days, and as has been done in past instances where the incumbent Director-General was the only candidate, he intends to convene a special formal meeting of the General Council on November 28-29.

The first day of the General Council meeting would allow members to hear a presentation from DG Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session, the Chair said.

The second day could then provide an opportunity for members to decide on the appointment of the next Director-General.

On October 8, the WTO formally commenced the process for appointing its next Director-General, with members given until the 8th of November to submit nominations.

DG Okonjo-Iweala’s current term comes to an end on August 31, 2025.