Who is the first women Director-General of WTO ?

Correct option is A

The first woman and the first African to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO) is Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. She took office as Director-General on March 1, 2021, after a historic election process where she received widespread support from WTO members. Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian economist and former finance minister, has been a prominent figure in international economic policy. Her election marked a significant step in the organization's efforts to promote gender equality and diversity in its leadership. Okonjo-Iweala is known for her deep experience in global economic and trade affairs, having served as a managing director at the World Bank.

Information Booster:

• (b) Mike Moore Supachai : Mike Moore was the Director-General of WTO from 1999 to 2002. He was a New Zealand politician and a former Prime Minister. 

• (c) Peter Sutherland: Peter Sutherland served as the first Director-General of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), which later evolved into the WTO. He held this role from 1993 to 1995.

• (d) Pascal Lamy: Pascal Lamy served as the Director-General of the WTO from 2005 to 2013. He is a French politician and former European Commissioner for Trade .

Additional Information :

Brief about WTO (World Trade Organization)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization that oversees the global rules of trade between nations. It was established on January 1, 1995, under the Marrakesh Agreement, succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which had been in operation since 1947. The WTO's primary goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible, promoting international economic cooperation and fostering the growth of global trade.

Key Functions of the WTO:
Trade Negotiations: The WTO provides a platform for trade negotiations between member countries to reduce trade barriers like tariffs, quotas, and subsidies.
Dispute Resolution: It has a formalized mechanism to resolve trade disputes among its members. If one country feels that another country's trade policies violate WTO agreements, they can bring the issue before the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) for resolution.
Monitoring and Review: The WTO monitors the trade policies of its members to ensure transparency and adherence to WTO agreements, as well as assesses how individual policies may affect global trade.
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: The WTO provides technical assistance and training to developing countries to help them build their trade capacity and better integrate into the global trading system.

Structure of WTO:
Ministerial Conference: The highest decision-making body, meeting every two years. It brings together trade ministers from all member countries.
General Council: Composed of representatives from all member countries, it oversees the day-to-day operations and ensures that the agreements made at the Ministerial Conference are implemented.
Secretariat: Headed by the Director-General, the Secretariat supports the work of the WTO by providing technical and administrative services.

Member Countries:
As of 2025, the WTO has 164 member countries, which together represent around 98% of global trade. Membership is open to any country or customs territory that accepts the WTO agreements and demonstrates a commitment to the principles of free and fair trade.

Major Agreements:
GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade): The foundational agreement, which was integrated into the WTO framework, focuses on reducing tariffs and trade barriers.
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS): Sets minimum standards for the protection of intellectual property rights worldwide.
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS): Covers trade in services like banking, insurance, and telecommunications.
Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs): Addresses measures related to foreign direct investment and its impact on international trade.