On the cusp of Chinese New Year, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala captivated audiences with a video greeting delivered fluently in Mandarin. ‘Happy New Year,’ she proclaimed, invoking blessings of good health, prosperity, and success for all as the Year of the Dragon begins.
Praising the dragon’s attributes—vitality, flexibility, and forward momentum—Okonjo-Iweala linked them to the imperatives of modern global trade. In an era of flux, these traits are non-negotiable for sustainable economic progress.
She spotlighted global trade’s impressive rebound over the previous year, attributing it to the stabilizing force of multilateralism. This success story highlights why an open and reliable trading environment remains indispensable.
However, Okonjo-Iweala was candid about the WTO’s need for bold reforms to match the pace of a dynamic global economy. ‘Adaptation through innovation is our path forward,’ she asserted.
Gratitude flowed toward China for its robust endorsement of the WTO, with expectations that its domestic reforms will catalyze multilateral advancements. Amid ongoing debates over trade rules, subsidies, and fisheries agreements, this message from the Nigerian economist—who also served as Nigeria’s finance minister—reinforces her vision for an inclusive, reformed trade body led by major players like China.