The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo on Friday expressed deep grief over the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

"On behalf of the WTO and the whole membership, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, to the people of South Africa, and to people all over the world whose lives have been touched by his example," Azevedo said in a statement during the 9th Ministerial Conference in Indonesian resort island Bali.

The WTO chief said Mandela was truly one of a kind and he offered hope and inspiration to all humankind.

Mandela passed away at around 8:50 p.m. local time on Thursday in his Johannesburg home at the age of 95.