By Kolawole Ojebisi
The General Council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has revealed why it has scheduled a two-day meeting with its Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The council noted that the meeting would afford Okonjo-Iweala to have a presentation through which she would articulate her vision for the second time in office.
This is contained in a statement issued by the WTO chair, Peter Olberg, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Olberg informed members of the council that the meeting will be held on November 28 and 29.
On November 9, the WTO confirmed Okonjo-Iweala, the current director-general, as the sole candidate for the position after nomination closed on November 8.
The organisation said Okonjo-Iweala confirmed her willingness to serve a second four-year term on September 16.
“In his communication to members, Ambassador Olberg said that, based on his contacts with delegations over the past days, and as has been done in past instances where the incumbent Director-General was the only candidate, he intends to convene a special formal meeting of the General Council on 28 and 29 November,” WTO said.
The organisation said the first day of the general council meeting would allow members to hear a presentation from Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session.
“The second day could then provide an opportunity for members to take a decision on the appointment of the next Director-General,” WTO said.
Recall that on February 15, 2021, Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as the director-general of the WTO, and her current term ends on August 31, 2025.
