By tf-lawyer.com The World Trade Organization (WTO) officially kicked off the appointment process for its next Director-General yesterday. Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, the Chair of the General Council, will lead this effort in line with the WTO’s established “Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General.”
Ambassador Ølberg had previously stated on October 4 that members of the WTO supported starting the process ahead of the initial timeline. This selection procedure is designed to uphold principles of transparency and inclusiveness, and to align with the organization’s overarching interests.
WTO members have until November 8 to submit their nominations. Once the nomination period closes, candidates will have until February 8, 2025, to interact with the members and showcase their qualifications. Following this, a two-month consultation period will commence, lasting until April 8, 2025, enabling the General Council to make its final choice for appointment.
Current Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who began her term in March 2021, has expressed her intention to seek reappointment, with her current term set to end on August 31, 2025.
As the sole global organization overseeing international trade rules, the WTO is structured around agreements negotiated and signed by most trading nations, which have been ratified by their respective parliaments. The organization’s mission is to facilitate smooth, predictable, and free trade flows.
Recently, representatives from 52 WTO member countries voiced their support for an African Group proposal advocating for an expedited selection process for the Director-General. They have encouraged Okonjo-Iweala to make herself available for a second term, with many praising her dedicated efforts and significant achievements during her initial term.
Okonjo-Iweala holds the distinction of being the seventh Director-General of the WTO. She assumed this position on March 1, 2021, marking a historic milestone as the first woman and the first African to serve in this role.
