Incumbent World Trade Organization (WTO) director-general Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stands to run for another term in office after being the only candidate to express interest in the role by close of nomination on November 8 (2024).

WTO General Council chairperson Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway had informed WTO members on November 9 that no further nominations for the position had been received by the deadline, leaving Dr Okonjo-Iweala as the only candidate.

“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,” Mr Ølberg said in an official communication to members.

“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.

“I will be communicating on the next steps shortly.”

The WTO had formally commenced the process of appointing its next director-general on October 8, with members given until November 8 to submit nominations.

The Nigerian economist has served in the position since 2021 and her current term comes to an end on August 31, 2025.

According to the General Council, Dr Okonjo-Iweala had confirmed her willingness to serve a second four-year term in the role.

The Geneva-based body deals with the global rules of trade between nations, and its main function is to ensure that trade flows smoothly and freely as possible.