Former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been declared as the first female and first African leader of the World Trade Organisation.
Recall that US President Joe Biden strongly swung behind her candidacy shortly after the only other remaining contender, South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee pulled out.
Since the establishment of the World Trade Organisation, a woman has never emerged as the leader of the international body.
However, history has been made by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who has been appointed as the Director-General of the WTO.
The organization quoted Okonjo-Iweala to have said: “there is a lot of challenges of WTO, deep reforms are needed, to rebrand and reposition the organization.”
She added that she feels humbled to be supported by all the members of the World Trade Organisation.
The former Minister further stated that she is looking forward to how the WTO can bring a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic both on the outside and the economic side.
Her term, which is renewable, is scheduled to start on March 1 and will expire on August 31, 2025.
