Browsing: World Trade Organization (WTO) director-general

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was on Monday, February 15 confirmed as the World Trade Organization (WTO) director-general.

Her appointment came after the last remaining rival candidate, South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee, withdrew from the race, allowing her to become the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade body.

She will take up her post on March 1, initially for a term that runs until August 2025.

The Geneva-based body has been without a permanent director-general since Roberto Azevêdo stepped down a year earlier than planned in August.

However, as she takes over, much is expected from her.

Trade spats

Despite WTO being established in 1995 with the aim of promoting open trade for the benefit of all, the organization has struggled to prevent trade spats among member states, most notably the United States and China.

The organization negotiates and administers rules for international trade and tries …