Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has officially signified her interest to run for a second term.
This announcement positions her as the sole candidate for the WTO’s top position.
The WTO formally began the process of appointing its next Director-General on October 8, allowing member countries until November 8 to submit nominations.
In a message to members, the Chairman of the WTO General Council, Petter Olberg, disclosed that no additional nominations were received by the deadline.
Olberg stated: “Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to members a consolidated list of candidatures received for the post of Director-General immediately after the close of the nomination period, in this case, 8 November 2024.
“I would like to advise members that at the end of the nomination period, the only candidacy received for this post is from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent Director-General.
“The notification received from Dr Okonjo-Iweala pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Procedures in WT/L/509 was circulated to all members together with my communication in document JOB/GC/406, dated 16 September 2024.”