The World Trade Organisation (WTO) announced, following its General Council meeting held from July 25-26, that the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference would be held in Bali, Indonesia in the first week of December 2013. The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the WTO, and usually meets every two years. The 8th WTO Ministerial Conference was held in December 2011 in Geneva In thanking members for their decision, Indonesia said: “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 fair global trade, sustaining world economic growth, eradicating poverty and creating job opportunities. In this regard, the next Ministerial Conference will therefore be very important to re-energise the negotiation process and the progress achieved so far, and to strengthen the multilateral trading system. Finally, 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”.
