The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has confirmed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current director-general, as the only contender for the role.
According to a statement released by the organisation on Saturday, Okonjo-Iweala indicated her desire to serve a second four-year term on September 16.
The WTO formally began appointing its next director-general on October 8, with members having until November 8 to submit nominations.
Petter Olberg, leader of the World Trade Organization’s General Council, informed members in a statement that no more nominations had been received by the November 8 deadline.
“Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to Members a consolidated list of candidatures received for the post of Director-General immediately after the close of the nomination period, in this case 8 November 2024,” the statement reads.
“I would like to advise members that at the end of the nomination period the only candidacy received for this post is from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent director-general.
“The notification received from Dr Okonjo-Iweala pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, was circulated to all Members together with my communication in document JOB/GC/406, dated 16 September 2024.”
The association stated that the general council chair would explain the next steps in the process shortly.
The WTO said that Okonjo-Iweala’s current term will end on August 31, 2025.
Okonjo-Iweala was appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organisation on February 15, 2021.
She created history as the World Trade Organization’s first female and African leader.
Okonjo-Iweala’s second-term bid has been called into question following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election on Wednesday.
In October 2020, Trump’s administration opposed her candidacy in favour of Yoo Myung-hee, South Korea’s former trade minister.
However, after losing his second-term presidential attempt in November of that year, Joe Biden’s administration supported Okonjo-Iweala for the WTO Director-General position.