Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Begins Historic Role as WTO Director-General

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has officially commenced her role as The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) director-general.

Dr. Okojo-Iweala’s appointment makes history as she is the first female director-general and the first African to hold the position.

“I am coming into one of the most important institutions in the world and we have a lot of work to do,” she said as she arrived for her first day on the job in Geneva. “I feel ready to go.”

Welcome to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala on her first day as WTO Director-General!
 
She makes history as the first woman and first African to take up this post. pic.twitter.com/WHWZZsA6Ka

— WTO (@wto) March 1, 2021

Her first day coincides with the annual meeting of the WTO’s General Council. The General Council is the WTO’s highest-level decision-making body in Geneva and meets about every two years.

The World Trade Organization announced that the Nigerian economist and former finance minister would be its next leader on Feb. 15. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will assume the post on Mar. 1 for a renewable term expiring on Aug. 31, 2025.

“This is a very significant moment for the WTO. On behalf of the General Council, I extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as the WTO’s next Director-General and formally welcome her to this General Council meeting,” said General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand said at the time.

We need to call out this behavior when it happens. This is precisely what my book Women & Leadership coauthored with @JuliaGillard talks about – the stereotypes women face when they take on leadership positions.

— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) February 28, 2021

“Dr Ngozi, on behalf of all members I wish to sincerely thank you for your graciousness in these exceptional months, and for your patience. We look forward to collaborating closely with you, Dr Ngozi, and I am certain that all members will work with you constructively during your tenure as Director-General to shape the future of this organization,” he added.

It is done! Thank you @WTO members for finalizing my election today and making history. In the 73 years of GATT and WTO, honored to be First Woman and First African to lead. But now the real work begins. Ready to tackle the challenges of WTO. Forget Business as usual! pic.twitter.com/apnAalHWf5

— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) February 15, 2021

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is clear about her mission: “A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said in a statement. “I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again. Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today.”

Originally posted 2021-03-01 16:00:00.