WTO members officially approved the accessions of Comoros and Timor-Leste, both least-developed countries (LDCs), during a special ceremony at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi on February 26.
“This moment marks a significant milestone in our nation's history as we submit the instruments of acceptance of the Protocol of Accession and the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. This step symbolizes our commitment to the principle of free and fair trade, sustainable development, and our dedication to the global trading system,” said Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay of Timor-Leste.
“Our journey to becoming a full member of the WTO has been a testament to our resolve and collective effort. The submission of these documents is not merely a procedural formality but a declaration of our readiness to embrace the responsibility and opportunity that come with WTO membership,” he added.
Ambassador Sultan Chouzour of Comoros stated, “The Union of the Comoros has just taken a major step towards greater integration into the world trade and economic system, thanks in particular to the effective modernization of its public finance management system in accordance with WTO standards.” Ambassador Chouzour emphasized implementing the Post-Accession Strategic Plan.
“I would particularly like to stress Comoros's needs in terms of capacity building and international expertise to help them reap all the benefits expected from their accession to the WTO,” he said.
“We are happy and proud that the WTO family is set to grow for the first time in eight years,” said DG Okonjo-Iweala.
“Today's handovers demonstrate just how seriously and responsibly both LDCs take their WTO obligations, especially in implementing the commitments which they undertook during their accessions. One such commitment was to accept the Fisheries Subsidies Protocol along with the Accession Protocol. The observance of this commitment has ensured that the threshold for entry into force of Fish I (the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies adopted in June 2022 at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva) would not be delayed by an increase in WTO membership,” she added.
DG Okonjo-Iweala noted that accession is just the beginning. “The benefits of WTO membership are not automatic, and new members will need a support network to continue domestic reforms and operate effectively in the global economy.” She requested WTO members and partners “to provide necessary assistance to both LDCs in post-accession with similar generosity as during accession.”
Comoros will become the 165th WTO member on August 21 following today's deposit of its Protocol of Accession.
For Timor-Leste, formal deposit of its Protocol will be dated July 31, making it become 166th member on August 30. This date coincides with Popular Consultation Day commemorating Timor-Leste's 1999 independence referendum.
Under WTO rules, membership takes effect 30 days after an instrument's deposit at WTO.
Comoros applied for membership on February 22 with Working Party established October 2007. Negotiations concluded January 9, followed by National Assembly ratification June 10 after MC13 approval.
Timor-Leste applied April 7, establishing Working Party December 2016. Negotiations concluded January 11; National Parliament ratified June 3 post-MC13 approval.
With acceptances by Comoros and Timor-Leste, another 29 formal acceptances are needed for Fisheries Subsidies Agreement enforcement upon two-thirds membership acceptance.
Adopted by consensus at MC12, this agreement sets binding multilateral rules curbing harmful subsidies contributing significantly to fish stock depletion while recognizing developing economies' needs via technical assistance fund aiding implementation obligations.
The agreement prohibits support for illegal fishing activities, bans aid for overfished stocks fishing operations, ending high seas unregulated fishing subsidies.
The full text can be accessed here; list available here.