APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Communication from the Chairperson of the General Council

As indicated in the consolidated list circulated on 9 November 2024 (_WT/GC/INF/31), at the end of the nomination period, the only candidacy received for the post of Director-General is from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent Director-General (_JOB/GC/406).

Pursuant to paragraph 14 of the Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General (_WT/L/509), as early as possible after the close of the nomination period, candidates shall be invited to meet with Members at a formal General Council meeting at which they will be invited to make a brief presentation, including their vision for the WTO, to be followed by a question-and-answer period.

Accordingly, based on my contacts with delegations over the past days, and as has been done in past instances where the incumbent Director-General was the only candidate, I intend to convene a special formal meeting of the General Council on 28 and 29 November 2024. The first day of this special meeting would allow Members to hear a presentation from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session. The second day could then provide an opportunity for Members to take a decision on the appointment of the next Director-General.

        A convening notice will be circulated shortly, indicating the modalities of this special meeting of the General Council.