The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced a special General Council meeting set for November 28-29, 2024, to proceed with the selection of the next Director-General. In a statement, the Council Chair, Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, explained that this meeting follows the recent announcement that no candidates emerged by the November 8 nomination deadline other than the current Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. With Okonjo-Iweala as the only candidate, Ambassador Ølberg confirmed plans for this special meeting to allow members to hear her vision for the WTO and engage in a question-and-answer session on the first day, followed by a possible decision on her reappointment the next day.

This latest phase in the selection process began on October 8, when WTO members were invited to nominate candidates for the role by November 8. Okonjo-Iweala’s current term is set to end on August 31, 2025. She was appointed as Director-General on February 15, 2021, making history as both the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO. Throughout her tenure, Okonjo-Iweala has worked to prioritize key issues, including stalled negotiations on fishery subsidies and efforts to revive the WTO’s Appellate Body, a crucial mechanism for resolving trade disputes.

A widely respected figure, Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of experience as Nigeria’s former finance minister (2003-2006, 2011-2015) and as the country’s first female foreign minister in 2006. Despite criticism from some for her lack of direct experience in trade negotiations, she is well-regarded for her leadership skills and strategic approach to international economic policy. This re-election process could confirm her continued leadership role in advancing the WTO’s global trade agenda.