Minister Altmaier talks with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, new Director-General of the World Trade Organization

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the new Director-General of the World Trade Organization, discussed the reform of the World Trade Organization and the priorities of the new Director-General via video link today.

Minister Altmaier said: "During our talks today, our common priorities became quite clear. We need to strengthen the multilateral trading system. To do this, it is crucial to reform the WTO. The current COVID-19 pandemic and the changing global conditions underline this need for reform. We want to jointly tackle this reform and further current issues, including digitisation and digital trade, and press ahead with them together with all of the WTO members. I have assured the new Director-General of our full support."

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala took office on 1 March 2021. She is the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General of the WTO.