Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), began her tenure in Geneva with an ambitious agenda to revitalize the global trade body. A seasoned development economist and former Nigerian finance minister, she steps into a pivotal role at a time when the WTO faces significant challenges, including a global economic downturn sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expressing enthusiasm for her new position, Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the urgency of her mission. She highlighted the WTO’s critical role in fostering global trade and economic recovery, stating her intent to prevent the organization from stagnating. Her appointment follows a six-month leadership gap after the abrupt exit of former director-general Roberto Azevedo. Despite delays caused by political opposition during the previous U.S. administration, her selection in February was a landmark moment, reflecting consensus among the WTO’s 164 member states.
On her first day, which coincided with the WTO’s General Council meeting, Okonjo-Iweala aimed to engage with delegates to understand their priorities. A key item on the agenda was rescheduling the ministerial conference, originally planned for the previous year but postponed due to the pandemic, now set for December in Geneva. Her leadership is expected to bring fresh momentum to stalled initiatives, though the consensus-driven nature of WTO decision-making may limit her ability to enact sweeping changes quickly.
Among her priorities is concluding long-standing negotiations on fishery subsidies, a goal she hopes to achieve by the ministerial conference. However, with talks mired in complexity, this ambition faces significant hurdles. Okonjo-Iweala also seeks to address rising protectionism and nationalism, which have intensified during the pandemic. She advocates for reducing trade barriers to support global economic recovery, emphasizing the need for open markets to foster resilience.
A pressing issue under discussion is a proposal to waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, supported by several nations aiming to increase production and access. This initiative faces strong opposition from pharmaceutical companies and certain member states. Drawing on her experience as chair of the Gavi vaccine alliance, Okonjo-Iweala promotes voluntary licensing agreements, such as the collaboration between AstraZeneca and India’s Serum Institute, as a balanced approach to enhance vaccine distribution without escalating conflicts.
Another challenge is revitalizing the WTO’s dispute settlement system, particularly its Appellate Body, which has been paralyzed since 2019 due to U.S. objections. Okonjo-Iweala is committed to restoring its functionality, a task critical to maintaining the WTO’s authority in resolving trade disputes. Additionally, she faces pressure from the U.S., European nations, and Canada to reform the WTO to address trade distortions attributed to China, a complex issue requiring diplomatic finesse.
The Ottawa Group, comprising the EU and countries like Canada and Brazil, is pushing for commitments to ensure the free flow of medical goods during the pandemic and eliminate related customs duties. These efforts align with Okonjo-Iweala’s focus on leveraging trade to address global health challenges.
With her extensive background at the World Bank and a reputation as a determined leader, Okonjo-Iweala is poised to inject energy into the WTO. However, her success will depend on navigating the diverse interests of member states and fostering consensus on contentious issues.
