Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s heartfelt statement following her reappointment as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a second term is a testament to her dedication and commitment to global trade and economic growth.
In her statement, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her gratitude to the 166 WTO members for their consensus in supporting her reappointment, acknowledging the enormous responsibility that comes with the role ¹. She also thanked her colleagues in the Secretariat Staff for their hard work and dedication.
Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment is a significant milestone, marking her as the first African and first woman to lead the WTO. Her first term was marked by her efforts to promote trade as a driver of economic growth and resilience, and her commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system ².
As she begins her second term, Okonjo-Iweala has pledged to redouble her efforts to deliver results that matter, including the necessary reforms to make the WTO fit for 21st-century challenges ¹. Her reappointment has been widely welcomed, with many acknowledging her strong leadership and commitment to global trade and economic growth.
EXCERPT
Today, it is with humility and a great sense of honour that I thank each and every one of the 166 WTO members for the consensus they achieved in supporting my reappointment! Thank you for the wonderful words of recognition and support. I don’t take this lightly. I also want to thank my colleagues in the Secretariat Staff for their dedication and hard work.
This is an enormous responsibility and I will redouble my efforts to work with each and every member to try and deliver the results this organization needs, including the necessary reforms to make it fit for 21st century challenges. We’ve done it before, we can do it again! I am also grateful to my family, my country, to the Africa Region, and to all my friends and colleagues from all over the world who have reached out with hundreds of congratulatory messages. Thank you for the recognition
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