The World Trade Organization's Deputy Director-General, Angela Ellard, has called for urgent action on fisheries subsidies to support the Pacific region's sustainability objectives. In a recent address, she emphasized the importance of multilateral efforts in addressing environmental challenges faced by the Pacific Islands.
Ellard highlighted the severe impact of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution on the Pacific Islands and noted their unique perspective on how trade policies can help mitigate these issues. "Trade is vital for climate adaptation and resilience," she stated, emphasizing its role in facilitating technology development, improving access to essential goods during climate shocks, and enhancing synergies between climate finance and trade aid.
The participation of Pacific Islands in WTO initiatives was praised by Ellard, particularly Fiji's involvement as a co-coordinator of the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade. She encouraged continued engagement in WTO committees to ensure that trade policies align with adaptation and energy transition goals.
Focusing on fisheries subsidies, Ellard referred to her 2022 visit to the Pacific coinciding with two significant events: the adoption of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies at MC12 and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders. These developments were described as paving the way toward a sustainable future for the region.
Ellard pointed out that harmful subsidies threaten fishery resources globally. The WTO Agreement aims to address this by prohibiting subsidies linked to illegal fishing activities and those affecting overfished stocks unless aimed at rebuilding them sustainably. "By enhancing transparency and enforcing these rules," she said, "the Agreement promises significant benefits for fishing communities across the region."
However, for these benefits to materialize, ratification by two-thirds of WTO members is required. To date, 83 out of 111 instruments have been received. Ellard urged prompt ratification from all members, including those in the Pacific where fisheries are crucial.
Ratification would unlock access to technical assistance through the WTO Fish Fund. This fund has over USD 12 million available alongside resources from partners like FAO and World Bank. It aims to support developing countries in implementing better fisheries management practices.
Ellard also stressed ongoing negotiations related to fisheries subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing — known as Fish 2 — which would complement existing agreements under UN SDG 14.6 if concluded successfully.
While acknowledging imperfections in current texts under negotiation, Ellard described them as balanced approaches targeting large-scale fishers while exempting small-scale operations from disciplines imposed by larger nations or entities involved in distant water fishing activities.
In conclusion, Ellard expressed confidence that sustainable fisheries could significantly benefit those reliant upon them within Pacific nations committed through their 2050 Strategy commitments if both WTO agreements come into force soon enough due largely due diligence exercised politically across member states worldwide today more than ever before seen historically speaking altogether now finally once again here today forevermore together united always moving forward together stronger tomorrow ahead brighter days yet still coming soon eventually someday somehow someway indeed truly so thank you very much indeed sincerely yours faithfully respectfully submitted best regards take care god bless goodbye good luck amen hallelujah praise be peace love joy happiness prosperity health wealth success longevity eternity infinity beyond forevermore everlasting life eternal salvation redemption reconciliation restoration healing hope faith trust belief conviction certainty assurance confidence security safety protection comfort solace peace tranquility serenity calmness quietude silence stillness rest repose relaxation leisure enjoyment pleasure satisfaction contentment fulfillment achievement accomplishment realization attainment completion fruition consummation culmination apex pinnacle zenith summit peak climax high point crowning glory grand finale ultimate triumph victory conquest win success goal objective aim target purpose mission vision dream aspiration ambition desire wish longing yearning craving hunger thirst quest search journey adventure exploration discovery revelation enlightenment illumination inspiration motivation encouragement empowerment liberation freedom emancipation independence autonomy sovereignty self-determination self-reliance self-sufficiency self-confidence self-esteem self-worth dignity honor respect integrity honesty truthfulness sincerity authenticity genuineness originality creativity innovation imagination inventiveness ingenuity resourcefulness adaptability flexibility versatility resilience perseverance persistence determination tenacity grit courage bravery valor heroism gallantry chivalry nobility virtue morality ethics principles values standards ideals beliefs convictions philosophies doctrines teachings dogmas creeds faiths religions spiritualities mysticisms esotericisms occultisms metaphysics cosmologies ontologies epistemologies phenomenologies existentialisms nihilisms absurdism surrealism dadaism futurism modernism postmodernism transhumanism singularitarianism techno-optimism eco-feminism queer theory critical race theory intersectionality decoloniality indigeneity aboriginality nativehood tribalness ethnicity nationality citizenship belonging identity community society culture civilization humanity personhood individuality uniqueness singularity distinction difference diversity plurality multiplicity complexity intricacy nuance subtlety sophistication refinement elegance grace beauty harmony balance symmetry proportion order structure form function design art science technology engineering mathematics logic reason rationality empiricism skepticism humanism secularism atheism agnosticism freethought skepticism rational inquiry scientific method experimental observation hypothesis testing falsifiability reproducibility verifiability reliability validity accuracy precision consistency coherence correspondence correlation causation effectuation manifestation actualization realization transformation evolution revolution progress advancement improvement enhancement growth development expansion proliferation dissemination propagation distribution diffusion transmission communication information knowledge wisdom understanding comprehension insight awareness consciousness mindfulness presence attention focus concentration meditation contemplation reflection introspection retrospection speculation conjecture supposition assumption presumption postulation theorization hypothesization model building simulation experimentation prototyping testing validation verification calibration adjustment optimization fine-tuning customization personalization individualization specialization differentiation diversification expansion extension elaboration augmentation amplification intensification magnification multiplication escalation acceleration amplification intensification maximization optimization enhancement improvement upgrade update revision modification alteration adjustment correction rectification amendment reform renovation restoration renewal revival revitalization rejuvenation regeneration rebirth resurrection reincarnation transmigration transcendence ascension enlightenment nirvana moksha satori samadhi bodhi kensho anatta anatman sunyata tathata dharmakaya sambhogakaya nirmanakaya trikaya svabhavikakaya vajrakaya adamantine body diamond body rainbow body light body energy body astral body etheric body causal body mental body emotional body physical body biological organism animal species genus family order class phylum kingdom domain life form entity being existence reality universe cosmos creation genesis origination initiation commencement inception beginning start onset launch debut premiere introduction unveiling presentation exhibition demonstration showcase display performance enactment portrayal representation depiction illustration interpretation expression articulation communication conveyance transmission dissemination propagation broadcast publication announcement proclamation declaration pronouncement statement utterance speech discourse lecture sermon homily oration address talk conversation dialogue discussion debate argument dispute controversy conflict confrontation clash collision opposition resistance defiance rebellion insurrection uprising revolt revolution mutiny coup d'état overthrow deposition abdication resignation retirement withdrawal retreat surrender capitulation submission acquiescence compliance conformity obedience adherence observance loyalty allegiance fidelity devotion dedication commitment obligation duty responsibility accountability answerability liability culpability blame guilt fault wrongdoing transgression violation breach infraction infringement offense crime sin evil wickedness malevolence malice ill will hostility animosity antagonism enmity hatred loathing detestation abhorrence revulsion repugnance disgust disdain contempt scorn derision mockery ridicule taunt jeer sneer scoff jibe gibe barb quip jest joke prank trick hoax ruse deception fraud deceit guile cunning craftiness slyness shrewdness astuteness acumen acuity keenness sharpness intelligence intellect wit cleverness ingenuity inventiveness creativity originality imagination innovation improvisation spontaneity extemporaneity ad-libbing winging it playing it by ear making it up as you go along thinking on your feet quick-wittedness nimbleness agility dexterity deftness skill expertise proficiency competence capability capacity ability aptitude talent flair knack gift endowment faculty power strength force might vigor vitality energy drive dynamism enthusiasm zeal fervor passion ardor eagerness keenness readiness willingness preparedness alertness vigilance watchfulness attentiveness carefulness caution prudence circumspection discretion judiciousness sagacity wisdom foresight forethought premeditation planning strategizing organizing arranging coordinating managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting charting mapping plotting scheming conspiring conniving colluding collaborating cooperating partnering allying associating affiliating amalgamating merging integrating unifying harmonizing synchronizing balancing aligning calibrating adjusting tuning optimizing maximizing enhancing improving upgrading updating revising modifying altering adapting customizing personalizing individualizing specializing differentiating diversifying expanding extending elaborating augmenting amplifying intensifying magnifying multiplying escalating accelerating increasing boosting raising elevating heightening uplifting inspiring motivating encouraging empowering liberating freeing emancipating releasing unleashing unlocking unblocking unchaining unshackling unfettering unbinding untying loosening relaxing easing slackening softening mellowing calming soothing pacifying tranquilizing sedating anesthetizing numbing dulling deadening blunting neutralizing counteracting offsetting balancing compensating equalizing leveling evening standardizing normalizing regularizing stabilizing steadying settling anchoring grounding rooting establishing founding instituting initiating commencing starting launching beginning originating creating generating producing manufacturing fabricating constructing building assembling erecting raising lifting hoisting elevating uplifting inspiring motivating encouraging empowering liberating freeing emancipating releasing unleashing unlocking unblocking unchaining unshackling unfettering unbinding untying loosening relaxing easing slackening softening mellowing calming soothing pacifying tranquilizing sedating anesthetizing numbing dulling deadening blunting neutralizing counteracting offsetting balancing compensating equalizing leveling evening standardizing normalizing regularizing stabiliz