Jordan has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, as announced by Director-General Okonjo-Iweala. “I am happy to receive Jordan's formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Jordan, the fourth member from the Middle East region to have formally accepted the Agreement, is demonstrating its leadership in protecting our shared marine resources for future generations. This is a critical step towards ending harmful fisheries subsidies and ensuring a thriving and resilient ocean for all,” she stated.
Ambassador Obeidat also expressed his support: “We, as all members of the WTO, attach importance to the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. It's a very important step forward. We all know it may not be the only step needed to move forward, but we're still working on a better future. Trade for Jordan, which is a small developing country, is very important. And being part of a larger membership of partners, seeing eye to eye on fisheries, among other things, is a very important matter to Jordan. I am very happy that I have managed to deliver on the Minister of Trade and Industry's promise on ratification and on the Government of Jordan's willingness to move forward by presenting this ratification today.”
Jordan's instrument of acceptance brings to 81 the total number of WTO members that have formally accepted the Agreement. Twenty-nine more formal acceptances are needed for the Agreement to come into effect. The Agreement will enter into force upon acceptance by two-thirds of the membership.
Adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), held in Geneva from June 12-17, 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new binding multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies that contribute significantly to depleting global fish stocks. Additionally, it acknowledges the needs of developing economies and least-developed countries by establishing a fund for technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement their obligations.
The Agreement prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; fishing overfished stocks; and fishing in unregulated high seas areas.
Members agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues with an aim towards adopting additional provisions that would further strengthen these disciplines.
The full text of the Agreement can be accessed here. The list of members who have deposited their instruments of acceptance is available here. Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.