The World Trade Organization (WTO) announced Spain has pledged a donation of EUR 2 million to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism, aiding developing and least-developed countries in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The contribution was presented to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by Secretary of State for Trade Xiana Méndez, according to a press release by WTO.
Spain's recent contribution brings its total donations to various WTO trust funds since 2001 to CHF 6,759,318. The fund is managed by the WTO in collaboration with partner organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the World Bank Group, said WTO in a press release.
“I am very grateful to Spain for its EUR 2 million donation to the Fisheries Funding Mechanism. Spain's support comes at a pivotal moment in WTO members' push for the swift entry into force of the historic Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, so that it can start contributing to the health of our oceans. This generous contribution will bolster worldwide efforts to implement the Agreement, improve fisheries management, and prevent the widespread depletion of marine fish stocks,” said Okonjo-Iweala in a press release by WTO.
“As a big fishing nation and the largest fishing nation in the European Union, Spain considers fisheries’ sustainability as crucial. Therefore, fighting illegal fishing and restoring overfished stocks is a must. Also, as a country in which seafood is deeply rooted in our culture and gastronomy, and hence as one of the largest consumers and importers of seafood, we need to know the fish we eat does not come from illegal fishing nor overfished stocks. In addition to that, we have been holding the Presidency of the European Council since July and we felt we had the responsibility to prove the EU’s commitment to the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and to this Fund," said Ms Méndez in a press release by WTO.