Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2021.

Time Magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world recognizes “people whose ideas, example, talent or discovery are transforming the world we live in.”

The list, released Wednesday, categorizes individuals into five categories: Titans, Trailblazers, Artists, Leaders, and Icons.

Okonjo-Iweala, who became the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO in March, was included in the “leaders” category, alongside Joe Biden, President of the United States of America; Kamala Harris, US Vice President; Xi Jinping, President of China, and Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister.

Speaking on Okonjo-Iweala’s efforts, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, said the former Nigerian finance minister “knew how to get things done”, and praised his work at head of WTO affairs.

The couple said in the magazine: “What will it take to vaccinate the world? Unity, cooperation and leaders like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

As the first African and the first woman to lead the World Trade Organization, a 164-member group of nations that oversees trade across the world, Okonjo-Iweala assumed the role of CEO in March at a watershed moment. for our global health Make no mistake, her work touches every person, family and community.

“As we face a constant barrage of vaccine misinformation, bureaucratic slowdowns in government and industry, and the rise of variants that underscore the urgency of the situation, Okonjo-Iweala told us shown to end the pandemic; we must work together to equip every country with equitable access to vaccines.

“Our conversations with her have been as informative as they are energizing. Part of it is because, despite the challenges, she knows how to get things done – even between those who don’t always agree – and does so gracefully. and a smile that warms the coldest of rooms.

“The fragility of our world right now cannot be overstated. Just over a quarter of the nearly 8 billion people on the planet are fully immunized. Achieving vaccine equity is a global duty of compassion for one another. Our hope is that guided by strong leaders like Ngozi, and we can get there soon. “

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