Next WTO Ministerial To Be Held In Bali In December 2013

The World Trade Organization will hold its next ministerial level meeting in Bali, Indonesia, in the first week of December 2013, it announced today.

This was decided by the WTO General Council during its 25-26 July meeting, WTO said today. WTO ministerials usually take place about 18 months to two years apart.

Indonesia made a statement about its decision to host the 9th ministerial since the WTO was set up in early 1990s. It reflected the difficulty WTO negotiators have had in moving talks forward on a range of issues.

“In the situation where crisis is still hampering the global economy, Indonesia continues to believe that the multilateral trading system has a significant role in fostering a fair global trade, sustaining the world economic growth, eradicating poverty and creating job opportunities” it said. “In this regard, the next MC9 will therefore be very important to re-energize the negotiation process and the progress achieved so far, and to strengthen the multilateral trading system.”

“Finally,” it said, “Indonesia fervently hopes that the exotic ambiance of the land of the gods and goddess, the warm weather and the hospitality of the people of Bali, will rejuvenate and renew the constructive spirit of the Doha Development Agenda negotiation in the WTO.”

The last WTO ministerial was held in Geneva in December 2011 (IPW, WTO/TRIPS, 19 December 2011).