WTO Second term bid: 58 countries endorse Okonjo Iweala

The coast might be getting clearer for the former Nigeria Minister of Finance, Okonjo Iweala’s second term bid as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

The renowned economist became the first woman DG of the WTO in 2021 and the African Group have now started mobilising support for a reelection.

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.

No fewer than 58 countries of the 164 member states of the WTO, according to a statement by the world trade body have voiced their support for her return at the July 22 meeting.

“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.

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 director general 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.

The former Nigerian Finance Minister navigated stiff opposition to become the first woman and the first African to serve as WTO Director-General. Before her current appointment, she twice served 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