Okonjo-Iweala Becomes First African WTO Director-General

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was officially confirmed as the next director-general of the World Trade Organization on Feb. 15, and the U.S. charge d'affaires, David Bisbee, in Geneva said she has deep knowledge and experience in “economics, trade, and diplomacy.” He said, “Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has promised that under her leadership it will not be business as usual for the WTO, and we are excited and confident that she has the skills necessary to make good on this promise.” Myron Brilliant, vice president for international affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in congratulating Okonjo-Iweala, said that “we need to restore the WTO as a forum for meaningful trade negotiations and the settlement of commercial disputes. We’re committed to doing our part to make that happen.”