WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Seeks Second Term to Tackle Unfinished Business

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has officially announced her intention to seek a second term in office, driven by a desire to complete significant “unfinished business” from her first term. The 70-year-old Nigerian, who became the first African and first woman to lead the 30-year-old global trade body in 2021, aims to push forward critical initiatives on trade reform, fisheries subsidies, and global agriculture negotiations.

Okonjo-Iweala expressed her commitment to continuing efforts to reform the WTO’s disputes system, decarbonise trade, and establish a global carbon pricing system. She noted that the WTO’s role in addressing environmental challenges is increasingly critical, particularly as carbon border mechanisms—such as the EU’s policy requiring non-EU exporters to pay for carbon emissions—are expected to trigger trade disputes.

Her announcement follows a broad Africa-led push to begin the reappointment process early, signalling significant support for her leadership, particularly ahead of the U.S. elections in November. While former U.S. President Donald Trump blocked her initial appointment in 2020, she secured U.S. backing under President Joe Biden in 2021.

During her tenure, Okonjo-Iweala has faced numerous challenges, from geopolitical tensions between WTO members to the blocking of judges in the WTO’s top adjudication court, a policy initiated by Trump and continued under Biden. Despite these difficulties, she has succeeded in landing global trade deals, including the first part of a fisheries subsidies agreement in 2022. However, further progress has been delayed, partly due to India’s opposition.

Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership has focused on reforming trade practices to address global challenges like climate change. She has spearheaded efforts for a global carbon pricing system and advocated for sustainable subsidies to replace fossil fuel and harmful fisheries subsidies. Her approach envisions trade as a key driver in reducing carbon emissions and tackling environmental crises, with initiatives to prioritise green procurement and eliminate tariffs on environmental goods like solar panels.

As Okonjo-Iweala prepares to seek a second term, she enjoys strong backing from African nations and broad support across the WTO’s 166 member states. If no other candidates emerge, she could secure her reappointment before the upcoming U.S. elections.