Leaders around the world have congratulated Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as she is appointed the next World Trade Organisation, WTO Director-General.
First to congratulate her was Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari saying:”I believe her track record of integrity, diligence and passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind, and that she will validate the global mandate of repositioning and strengthening the WTO for the greater good of all.”
President of European Central Bank and former head of IMF, Christine Legarde said, “Congratulations to my friend Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on becoming the first female Director-General of the WTO.
“I’ve known Ngozi for many years. Her strong will and determination will drive her to tirelessly promote free trade to the benefit of people worldwide.”
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres wrote on his twitter handle, “congratulations to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria on her appointment as the first female and first African Director General of the WTO. I look forward to strengthening the UN –WTO Partnership especially at this critical moment to the world.”
Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Amina Mohammed wrote on her Twitter handle, “Warm congratulations to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, newly appointed Director-General of the
WTO. You are blazing new trails as the first woman & first African to lead WTO. You inspire us.
The UN looks forward to working with you to keep the promise of the SDGS for people & for planet.
France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Franck Riester, described her appointment as historic.
He said: “A historic day for WTO, with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as first woman and first African DG! France will support her to lead the reform the WTO needs.”
Qatar’s UN Ambassador in Geneva, Ali Almansouri said. “My warmest congratulations to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her historic election as the first African and the first woman Director-General of the WTO. I am confident that under her leadership we will be able to advance our shared goal of a more prosperous multilateral trade system,”
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala makes history as the first woman and the first African to ever lead the WTO.
WTO members took the decision to appoint Dr. Okonjo-Iweala at a special meeting of the General Council, following a selection process that included eight candidates from around the world.
The 66-year-old’s appointment came when the last remaining rival candidate, South Korean trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee, withdrew from the race.
She will take up her post on March 1, initially for a term that runs until August 2025.
An economist and former finance minister of Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala enjoyed broad support from WTO members including the European Union, China, Japan and Australia.
NP/Confidence Okwuchi
