I’m too busy now to think about second term as WTO DG – Okonjo-Iweala

The Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has stated that she is too busy to consider a possible second term in charge of the global body.

According to Iweala, she first want to focus on how the Geneva-based trade body could deliver on things “that matter” before thinking of running again.

“I still have so much to deliver in the short term. This thought hasn’t even crossed my mind.

“There is so much before us. We need to get through a successful MC13,” she said, referring to the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO — an international gathering of trade ministers next week in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The two-time Nigeria finance minister said she wants to focus on how the WTO could deliver on things that matter before thinking of running again.

“Maybe when we finish all of that, that will cross my mind,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala took charge of the WTO in 2021 for four years.

The process of appointing a new director general is due to start at the end of this year, according to the WTO’s internal rules.