PHOTOS: Okonjo-Iweala Assumes Office As WTO Director-General

Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Monday assumed office as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

She takes over WTO amid high expectations among stakeholders of the global trade body that she will spur the beleaguered body into addressing its towering challenges, including the pandemic-fuelled global economic crisis.

AllNews had reported that Okonjo-Iweala was confirmed the DG of WTO on February 15, making her the first woman and African to take up the position. 

Okonjo-Iweala emerged the shoo-in after her final challenger to the position, South Korean Trade Minister and candidate, Yoo Myung-hee, announced her withdrawal. Ms Yoo made the decision after discussions with the U.S. and other major nations. She also took various issues into account “comprehensively” including the need to revitalise the multilateral organization.

WTO had selected Okonjo-Iweala and Ms Yoo to advance to the final round in the race to lead the Geneva-based trade body last October.

READ ALSO: Okonjo-Iweala, Role Model For African Women – Don

However, the WTO officials received Okonjo-Iweala into office at WTO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday, March 1, 2021.

The new WTO DG who was dressed in African wax fabric material with her trademark head tie was warmly welcome by the officials and journalists.

The trade body made this known via its official Twitter handle on Monday morning with the caption:

“Welcome to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala on her first day as WTO Director-General!” the trade body said in a tweet. “She makes history as the first woman and first African to take up this post.”

Welcome to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala on her first day as WTO Director-General!

She makes history as the first woman and first African to take up this post. pic.twitter.com/WHWZZsA6Ka

— WTO (@wto) March 1, 2021