By Adedapo Adesanya
Fifty-eight of the 164 member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have voiced support for a proposal from the African Group backing incumbent Director General, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to serve a second term.
The 58-member countries of the trade association made this known at a July 22 meeting of the WTO General Council, according to a statement by the world trade body.
“The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term, and has proposed that the process of reappointing the Director-General should be started as soon as possible,” the statement partly read.
“Fifty-eight members, several speaking on behalf of groups of members, took the floor to comment and express their support for the African Group proposal. They called on DG Okonjo-Iweala to make her intentions regarding a second term known as soon as possible. Most of these members praised the DG’s hard work and her achievements during her first term,” it added.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, 70, said she was very grateful for the support from members. “Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together,” she said.
The DG said that she took the call of members very seriously and was favourably inclined. She said she would get back to members very soon regarding her intentions.
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, the seventh WTO boss, took office on March 1, 2021, for a single term of four years which will expire on August 31, 2025. She is eligible for a second term.
The former Nigerian Finance Minister navigated stiff opposition to become the first woman and the African to serve as WTO Director-General. Before her current appointment, she served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. She also briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.
The skilled negotiator had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the number two position of Managing Director of Operations.
Mr Adebayo Thomas, the Director, of Press and Public Relations, at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in a statement said the proposal was for members to consider Okonjo-Iweala to run for another term as chief executive officer of the organisation.
He said the proposal was to also enable the Chair, of the General Council (GC) to commence the process of the appointment of the director-general as soon as possible.
He quoted Mr Abdulhamid Adamu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to WTO, at the GC, saying that members debated on the issue.
“All members pointed to all the efforts and qualities of Okonjo-Iweala and her contributions to the organisation which enhanced a lot of progress and development.
“They all affirmed that she deserves to be reappointed as the director-general.
“All the members in the meeting from all regions that took the floor almost 58 members supported the proposal,” he said.
