Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Secures Second Term as WTO Chief

Her reappointment comes as the WTO braces for renewed challenges under Donald Trump's presidency and mounting global trade tensions.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, was unanimously reappointed for a second term by the organization's 166 members.
The accelerated reappointment process aimed to avoid potential vetoes from the incoming Trump administration, which had previously delayed her initial appointment in 2020.
The WTO faces significant challenges, including a deteriorating global adherence to trade rules and the U.S.'s prior undermining of its dispute settlement system under Trump.
Trump has signaled plans to escalate trade conflicts, raising concerns about the WTO's ability to enforce rules and maintain relevance in the face of unilateral actions by member states.
Okonjo-Iweala's leadership has been marked by efforts to reform the WTO, including initiatives on climate change and health, but the organization remains under pressure to demonstrate effectiveness.