REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA DUA -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on all countries to work as partners and reject the North-South approach, which views countries as competitors divided into two groups.

At the opening of the ninth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference here on Tuesday, he said that the North (developed countries) is a partner of the South (developing countries) in developing the global economy to make it more inclusive, improve welfare and reduce poverty.

"We must reject the idea of the North against the South, which emphasizes differences rather than mutual goals. Both groups must regard themselves as partners, not competitors," he noted at the event, which is being attended by delegations from 159 WTO member countries.

Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan is the chairman of the conference, which will continue until December 8. There are also three co-chairpersons, namely, British Trade and Investment Minister Stephen Green, Rwanda's Minister of Industry and Trade, Francois Kanimba, and Peru's Minister of Trade and Tourism, Magali Silva Velarde Alvarez.

President Yudhoyono said that both the North and South needed each other for global trade.

He noted that in the past 30 years, developing countries have become the main driver of growth in global trade. Developing countries account for half of global trade, up from 34 percent in 1980, he said.

"Global trade needs the participation of all countries," he added.

He expressed hope that the conference could produce an agreement to revive confidence in the international trading system, in contrast to the deadlock in the Doha Round talks.

"The international trading system is at a critical point in its long and challenging history. Continuing stagnation of trade talks risks the erosion of trust by the business community in our ability to settle negotiations," he noted.

"We must not let that happen. We have been able to complete several difficult tasks. We are close to accomplishing an historic achievement. We should take this opportunity to rebuild trust and credibility in this valuable trade negotiation forum," the president urged.

He noted that trade is an important economic component in efforts to reduce poverty.

He added that in the past 30 years, improvements have been made in the standards of living and welfare of people in various regions, although several people continue to live in poverty.

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