Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference

The Seventh Session of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, took place from 30 November to 2 December 2009. The general theme for discussion was “The WTO, the Multilateral Trading System and the Current Global Economic Environment?

> Practical information for delegations

Other WTO Ministerials:
> Hong Kong 13?8 Dec 2005
> Cancún 10?4 Sept. 2003
> Doha 9?4 Nov. 2001
> Seattle 30 Nov.? Dec. 1999
> Geneva 18 & 20 May 1998
> Singapore 9?3 Dec. 1996

News

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How the Conference was organized

The Conference opened at 15h00 on Monday 30 November. Following addresses by the Chair, the Director-General, the Chair of the General Council and heads of other intergovernmental organizations, the Chair proposed the adoption of the Agenda. He then opened the floor for the first speakers in the Plenary Session. The Plenary provided an opportunity for Ministers to make prepared statements in accordance with the List of Speakers.

In parallel to the Plenary Session, there were two Working Sessions on 1 December and 2 December, respectively. The Working Sessions were aimed at providing an interactive forum for Ministers for discussion under two broad sub-themes: “Review of WTO activities, including the Doha Work Programme?for the first day; and “The WTO's contribution to recovery, growth and development?for the second day.

> Programme

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Scope of the Conference

In his report to the General Council on 17 November 2009, Pascal Lamy said that while the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference would not be a negotiating session, it would be “a platform for ministers to review the functioning of this house? including the Doha Round, and an occasion “to send a number of strong signals to the world with respect to the entire WTO waterfront of issues ?from monitoring and surveillance to disputes, accessions, Aid for Trade, technical assistance and international governance?

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