Benin and Sierra Leone have formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, increasing the total number of World Trade Organization (WTO) members to 80. This milestone was announced by Director-General Okonjo-Iweala, who emphasized the significance of this support from least-developed members in promoting ocean sustainability and combating illegal fishing.
"I am delighted to receive formal acceptances of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies from Benin and Sierra Leone," said Okonjo-Iweala. "Their support underlines the importance that they, as least-developed members, place on this Agreement and on global cooperation for upholding ocean sustainability and combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, to support livelihoods and food security in West Africa and around the world. I hope the remaining WTO members — and we need only 30 more — will quickly follow the leadership of Benin and Sierra Leone, so that this landmark agreement enters into force soon."
Ambassador Brunet remarked on Benin's commitment: "By accepting the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, Benin contributes to achieving a major and historic outcome for WTO members, underscoring our determination to combine economic prosperity with sustainable preservation of marine resources. This is a crucial step in our pursuit for balanced and environmentally respectful development. We are committed to fostering economic prosperity while safeguarding our natural capital for future generations. We call on all WTO members to work towards the swift entry into force of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by accelerating their national ratification processes."
Similarly, Ambassador Gberie highlighted Sierra Leone's dedication: "Sierra Leone's ratification of this landmark fisheries subsidies agreement is a testament to our commitment to multilateralism, to the principles of sustainability and conservation, and to the fair and responsible exploitation of our natural resources. This ratification is firmly in keeping with our national policies, both economic and social, with a focus on preserving marine biodiversity, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and supporting the livelihoods of our fishing communities, some of which are under existential threats from foreign poachers and the adverse effects of climate change. With this instrument, we also commit to forging ahead with the second wave of negotiations, striving to achieve a meaningful agreement sooner rather than later. So we call upon other countries that have not done so, particularly African and small coastal states like ours, to ratify this important agreement while engaged in further negotiations."
The addition of these two nations brings the total number of African members who have accepted the Agreement to fifteen; nine are least-developed countries. To bring the Agreement into effect, thirty more formal acceptances are required.
Adopted by consensus at WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva from June 12-17, 2022, the Agreement sets new binding rules aimed at curbing harmful subsidies contributing to fish stock depletion globally. It also addresses needs specific to developing economies by establishing a fund for technical assistance.
The Agreement prohibits subsidies related to illegal fishing activities or those targeting overfished stocks or unregulated high seas areas.
Members agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on unresolved issues aiming at adopting additional provisions enhancing these disciplines.