July 23, 2024

The African Group at the World Trade organisation (WTO) has presented a proposal at its General Council (GC) to re-elect Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as director-general of the organisation.

Adebayo Thomas, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said this in a statement in Abuja.

According to him, the tenure of the current Director-General ends in August 2025, and the African Group is of the view that it would be in the best interest of the Organisation if the process of reappointment were to start early for a number of reasons:

“Firstly, the Organisation has delivered important results on many of the critical issues at MC12 in June 2022 and MC13 in February 2024, and it is essential that we build on these results at MC14.

“Secondly, it would be important to ensure continuity and preserve the gains made so far, especially at MC12 and MC13.

“Thirdly, in order to allow Members to focus on the preparations for MC14 that will be taking place in Africa (Cameroon) in a manner that delivers further results, the African Group believes that it is crucial that the process of appointing Director-General does not overlap with the preparations for MC14. The African Group is proud to support Cameroon in the hosting of MC14.

“For these reasons, the African Group wishes to request the current Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to make herself available to serve a second term, in accordance with Article 12 of the Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509). At MC12 and MC13, her leadership enabled the organization to conclude on several long-standing multilateral agreements.

He noted that she has also been instrumental in guiding the Secretariat’s work to support Members’ efforts to reform the WTO.

He said ithe proposal was to also enable the Chair, of the General Council (GC) to commence the process of the appointment of the director-general as soon as possible.

He quoted Amb. Abdulhamid Adamu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to WTO, at the GC, as saying that members debated on the issue.

“And all members pointed to all the efforts and qualities of Okonjo-Iweala and her contributions to the organisation which enhanced a lot of progress and development.

“They all affirmed that she deserves to be reappointed as the director-general.

“All the members in the meeting from all regions that took the floor almost 58 members supported the proposal,” he said.

He added that members resolved that the General Council Chair should start consultations on the process of appointment soonest as approved by council.

Responding, Okonjo-Iweala thanked all members and assured to respond soonest with her acceptance after consultation with family members