NIGERIA: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Becomes First African Female Director-General of World Trade Organization
ABUJA, MARCH 2, 2021 (CISA) –The World Trade Organization (WTO) has appointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as the organization’s seventh Director-General and the first woman of African descent to hold the position.
“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 the General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand who, together with co-facilitators Ambassadors Dacio Castillo (Honduras) and Harald Aspelund (Iceland) led the nine-month selection process.
He expressed delight at the fact that her election was by consensus of the General Council of the WTO, thereby making Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala “the first woman and first African to occupy the of Director-General of the Organisation.” “I am of the firm conviction that you are eminently qualified to lead the organisation in these momentous times, and I assure you of the full support of the Government of Ghana in your new role,” President Akufo-Addo added. The President, in the letter, sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, on the appointment of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to her new position.
GENEVA - The 164 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Monday agreed to appoint Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former finance minister of Nigeria, as the next director-general, said the WTO in a press release.
Geneva, Feb 16 : Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed by consensus to appoint Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former finance minister of Nigeria,
“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 who, together with co-facilitators Amb. Dacio Castillo (Honduras) and Amb. Harald Aspelund (Iceland) led the nine-month DG selection process. “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.