WTO: recovery, climate change and protests

The World Trade Organisation’s seventh ministerial meeting is underway in Geneva.

It comes as European business is growing ever more frustrated at the slow progress in the WTO’s Doha round, they want the whole process speeded up. However, talks on Doha, launched to open markets and help developing countries grow through trade are off the menu. Instead ministers are to look at the WTO’s work and how it can assist economic recovery and climate change. Many believe Doha will dominate the sideline chat. Political leaders and the WTO itself believes a Doha deal will bolster business confidence and take uncertainty out of the global economy. Meanwhile, members from developing countries want politics to play no part in those states allowed to join the club. Russia and Iran are the two biggest economies not yet members of the 153-nation organisation. Meanwhile, anti-WTO protesters have made their presence felt, smashing banks and burning cars.More about: Global warming and climate change, Switzerland, WTO

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