·
Milestone
meeting:
Members of the World Trade Organization held the first regular meeting of the
Committee on Fisheries Subsidies on 1
May 2026.
·
Agreement
in force: The
Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has been operational since 15 September 2025.
·
Key
decisions adopted:
o Rules of procedure finalized
o Standard agenda template approved
o Electronic submission system for
notifications established
·
Observer
status: The
Food and Agriculture Organization granted permanent observer status.
·
Committee
role:
o Monitor implementation of the agreement
o Ensure transparency in subsidies
o Facilitate dialogue among members
·
Transparency
progress:
o 12 members submitted initial notifications
on fisheries arrangements
o Members urged to accelerate reporting
·
Leadership: Chair Ana Laura Lizano emphasized
compliance and transparency.
·
Global
participation: 119 WTO members have
accepted the agreement so far.
·
Recent
additions:
Paraguay, Samoa, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joined during the WTO
Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé.
·
Next
meeting:
Scheduled for week of 26
October 2026.
·
Key
takeaway: The
WTO is advancing global
discipline and transparency in fisheries subsidies, a critical
step toward sustainable marine resource management.
WTO
members held the first regular meeting of the Committee on Fisheries Subsidies on
1 May 2026, marking a milestone in the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries
Subsidies. They approved various decisions on the functioning of the Committee.
The
Committee adopted its rules of procedure, the template for its annotated draft agenda
of meetings, and a decision on the electronic submissions of members' notifications.
It also granted the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization permanent
observer status.
The
Committee on Fisheries Subsidies was established to monitor and review implementation
of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, to maintain regular dialogue on matters
relating to its operation and to enhance transparency of the notifications and information
required under the Agreement. The Agreement entered into force on 15 September 2025.
Transparency
The
Chair of the Committee, Ana Laura Lizano of Costa Rica, noted that 12 WTO members
have submitted their first notifications on relevant regional fisheries management
organization/ arrangements (RFMO/A) to which they are parties. She encouraged all
members to submit their notifications as soon as possible, including on other requirements
under the Agreement.
Praising
those members that have already notified, DG Okonjo-Iweala
said: "We are all about transparency for the effective operation of WTO committees,
and this Committee will be no exception. I hope that members will redouble their
efforts and set an example in this Committee for the WTO."
To
date, 119 WTO members have formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
The latest members to have deposited their instruments of acceptance were Paraguay,
Samoa, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 26 March at the WTO 14th Ministerial
Conference held in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Next
meeting
The
next regular meeting of the Committee on Fisheries Subsidies is scheduled for the
week of 26 October 2026.