The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has expressed her deep gratitude and enthusiasm following her re-election on Friday. She described the opportunity to serve a second term as a privilege to continue serving and achieving impactful results that will benefit people globally.
Reports indicate that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was re-elected unopposed, making history as the first Black person and the first Black woman to be both elected and re-elected as the WTO Director-General. This re-election marks another significant milestone in her remarkable career, underscoring her leadership and influence on the global stage.
In her acceptance speech, delivered after the announcement of her second-term re-election, Okonjo-Iweala shared her excitement and reaffirmed her commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of progress within the WTO. Her new term is set to begin on September 1, 2025, and she pledged to deliver tangible outcomes that will have a positive impact on the lives of people worldwide, particularly by promoting trade as a means to foster economic growth and resilience.
The WTO Director-General's statement read: “I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members. It is a privilege to continue serving as Director-General for a second four-year term. The work that we do here at the WTO is more important than ever, and I am committed to ensuring that we continue making meaningful contributions to the global economy.”
She continued, “In recent years, the WTO has played a vital role in helping Members navigate pressing global challenges, including the pandemic, conflict, and heightened geopolitical tensions. I commend Members for their hard work and determination in achieving progress despite unprecedented levels of uncertainty and rapid economic shifts. We have faced some of the most complex challenges of our time, and the WTO has stood firm in its mission to foster global trade cooperation.”
Looking toward the future, Okonjo-Iweala reiterated her firm commitment to making meaningful progress, saying, “As we look ahead, I remain firmly committed to delivering results that matter—results that ultimately improve the lives of people around the world. By promoting trade as a driver of economic growth and resilience, the WTO will continue to provide a collaborative platform for Members to address shared global challenges.”
She also expressed her unwavering dedication to working with the talented and devoted staff at the WTO to build a more inclusive, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system. She emphasized that the vision for her second term would focus on ensuring that the WTO remains an organization that benefits all its Members and contributes to global prosperity.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's leadership continues to be a beacon of hope for multilateralism and global trade, and her re-election further solidifies her role as a champion for economic inclusion and growth on the world stage.
