By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NEWLY appointed World Trade Organisation (WTO) Chief for a second four-year term as Director-General, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has expressed gratitude to the WTO’s 166 member nations for their unanimous support, pledging to intensify efforts to drive reforms that address global trade challenges.
In her acceptance speech, Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged the dedication of WTO Secretariat staff and thanked her family, Nigeria, and the African region for their support.
“This is an enormous responsibility, and I will redouble my efforts to work with each member to deliver the results this organisation needs, including reforms to meet 21st-century challenges,” she stated.
The WTO chief also expressed readiness to collaborate with world leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, while cautiously observing his proposed tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada.
The Geneva-based organisation, central to global trade governance, faces uncertainty over the impact of unilateral tariff policies on its mandate.
Okonjo-Iweala vowed to uphold the WTO’s relevance in a rapidly evolving trade environment.
