World Trade Organisation ministers meet; Obama announces Afghanistan plans; EU releases state-aid table; Nato foreign ministers hold talks; World Cup draw takes place; largest cruise ship sails; Romania votes again

NOVEMBER 30

WTO ministerial assembly
The seventh ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation opens in Geneva (until December 2). Topics include the Doha round, the multilateral trading system and the global economy.

China and EU hold summit
China hosts a summit with the European Union in Nanjing. Items for discussion include climate change, the global economic crisis and technological co-operation. A business summit will run in parallel.

Taxing carbon emissions
The European Commission stages a one-day conference in Brussels on the role of taxation in facilitating a low-carbon economy.

Cyber Monday logs on
US online retailers are braced for “Cyber Monday” when, following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, they try to lure consumers with discount deals in the run-up to Christmas.

Senate peruses healthcare
The US Senate is due to resume consideration of President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul bill.

Fort Hood shootings report
John Brennan, US homeland security adviser, is due to present a preliminary report on possible intelligence and security failures in relation to the mass shootings at Fort Hood military base, Texas, on November 5.

Soccerex kicks off
The Soccerex exhibition and conference, the leading convention for the global football industry, starts in Johannesburg (until December 2).

Car of the year award
Europe’s Car of the Year award is to be announced from a shortlist of seven models.

Future of newspapers
The World Newspaper Congress begins in Hyderabad, India (until December 3), with industry representatives from more than 80 nations considering the challenges of a multi-media future.

Education research
A two-day international education conference in Stockholm brings together researchers who have analysed surveys on skills and competences, in order to present findings most useful for policy-makers.

Scottish independence bill
Alex Salmond, Scotland’s nationalist first minister, is due to publish his draft Scottish independence referendum bill on what is St Andrew’s Day.

DECEMBER 1

Obama on Afghanistan
Barack Obama, US president, is due to address the nation and reveal his plans for Afghanistan troop numbers.

New IAEA chief takes over
Yukiya Amano of Japan succeeds Mohamed El Baradei as director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mr Baradei served for 12 years as the United Nations nuclear agency’s chief.

Lisbon treaty takes effect
The European Union’s Lisbon treaty, which aims to make the union more democratic, efficient and gain a louder voice on the world stage, officially comes into force.

Gas and power forum
Sparks & Flames, the European gas and power industry conference, opens in Rotterdam (until December 4).

Counterfeiting combated
The Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy begins in Cancun, Mexico (until December 3). This is an international public/private event involving Interpol and customs officials, politicians and business leaders.

Europe’s top footballer
The European Footballer of the Year is announced by France Football magazine. Lionel Messi of Barcelona is a strong favourite.

DECEMBER 2

EU state aid table released
The European Union, as part of efforts to reduce government aid for industries, announces in Brussels its State Aid Scoreboard. This includes aid figures for each member country during the previous calendar year.

Securities convention
The Federation of European Securities Exchanges stages its annual convention in Brussels. Themes include regulation, market turmoil, and investor protection.

Businesswomen awards
The NatWest Everywoman Awards ceremony takes place in London, honouring successful businesswomen, particularly those who have overcome adversities, social disadvantages or skills gaps.

DECEMBER 3

Nato foreign ministers talk
Nato foreign ministers hold a two-day meeting in Brussels, with the war in Afghanistan high on the agenda.

US forum on jobs
Barack Obama, US president, hosts a jobs and economic growth forum at the White House. Chief executives, small business owners, and financial experts will present ideas for restoring the economy to health.

DECEMBER 4

World Cup draw for finals
The draw for the 2010 soccer World Cup finals in South Africa takes place in Cape Town.

Top tennis teams do battle
The Davis Cup final between holders Spain and the Czech Republic begins in Barcelona (until December 6).

DECEMBER 5

Largest cruise ship sails
Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, begins its inaugural trip, to the east Caribbean, from its home port of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

DECEMBER 6

Romania votes again
The second round of Romania’s presidential election is held. Traian Basescu, the centre-right incumbent, faces Mircea Geoana, his Social Democrat challenger.

Bolivia goes to the polls
Bolivia holds general elections. President Evo Morales hopes to win a second term.

preview@ft.com