WTO’s general council to meet over Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment as DG

The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) general council will meet over the reappointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as director-general of WTO.

In a statement on Tuesday, WTO said Petter Olberg, chair of the general council, informed members that a meeting of the council will be held on November 28 and 29 after Okonjo-Iweala was announced as the sole candidate for the director-general position.

On November 9, the WTO confirmed Okonjo-Iweala, the current director-general, as the sole candidate for the position after nomination closed on November 8.

The organisation said Okonjo-Iweala confirmed her willingness to serve a second four-year term on September 16.

Ølberg said the “special meeting” will advance the process of selecting the next director-general.

“In his communication to members, Ambassador Olberg said that, based on his contacts with delegations over the past days, and as has been done in past instances where the incumbent Director-General was the only candidate, he intends to convene a special formal meeting of the General Council on 28 and 29 November,” WTO said.

The organisation said the first day of the general council meeting would allow members to hear a presentation from Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session.

“The second day could then provide an opportunity for members to take a decision on the appointment of the next Director-General,” WTO said.

On February 15, 2021, Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as the director-general of the WTO, and her current term ends on August 31, 2025.