Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Becomes First Female DG Of WTO

Former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been declared as the first female and first African leader of the World Trade Organisation.

Recall that US President Joe Biden strongly swung behind her candidacy shortly after the only other remaining contender, South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee pulled out.

Since the establishment of the World Trade Organisation, a woman has never emerged as the leader of the international body that deals with global trade rules, resolves trade disputes between countries and supports developing countries.

However, history has been made by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who has been appointed as the Director-General of the WTO.

Okonjo-Iweala during an interview with Christiane Amanpour on CNN said: “there is a lot of challenges of WTO, deep reforms are needed, to rebrand and reposition the organisation.”

She added that she feels humbled to be supported by all the member of the World Trade Organisation.

The former Minister further stated that she is looking forward to how the WTO can bring a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic both on the outside and the economic side.

She noted that she would also like to work on inequity.

The development was confirmed on Twitter by organization.

BREAKING: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria is appointed as the next WTO Director-General.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala makes history as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO.

Her term starts on the 1st of March 2021.

More details soon. #WTODG@NOIweala pic.twitter.com/2RJkkfK2Id

— WTO (@wto) February 15, 2021