
The chair of the organisation said on Saturday that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first African and woman to lead the World Trade Organisation, is unopposed to run for reelection.
The 70-year-old WTO director-general declared in September that she was seeking a second term. During his first time in office, US President-elect Donald Trump halted her first mandate for months.
According to a statement, Norwegian Ambassador Petter Olberg, the chair of the World Trade Organisation, informed members that Okonjo-Iweala was “the only candidate for the role” because “no further nominations for the position” had been received by Friday’s deadline.
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August 2025 marks the end of her current term.
The WTO’s 166 members collectively elect director-generals.
Since taking over in March 2021, Okonjo-Iweala has made revitalising the sclerotic organisation a key component of her leadership.
The former Nigerian finance and foreign minister positioned herself as someone who could bring people together and accomplish business.
Despite her widespread support, Trump first vetoed her first mandate by favouring a South Korean nominee; this decision was later overturned when US President Joe Biden assumed office.