The recent WTO Fish Fund Steering Committee meeting concentrated on preparing for the full operationalization of the Fish Fund. The gathering included key stakeholders working towards supporting developing and least-developed country members in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard expressed her satisfaction with the committee's progress since their last meeting in July. “Last time we gathered in July for the Second Steering Committee meeting, I remarked how impressive it was that this Steering Committee had so quickly achieved tangible results and was about to deliberate on the framework documents that will enable the Fish Fund to begin its operations,” she stated. “Since then, I have been following the Committee's work very closely, and I can see from today's full agenda that your remarkable efforts are continuing to deliver results.”
Ellard reported nearly USD 12 million received from donors for the Fund, with contribution agreements signed for more than USD 3.5 million. Countries contributing include Australia, Canada, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and most recently United Arab Emirates. The United Kingdom has pledged GBP 1 million.
“These resources will have a real impact and members are waiting to put them to good use,” said Ellard.
The Secretariat informed that Dalberg consulting firm was selected through a procurement process to develop a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework for the Fish Fund. Updates were provided by the Manager of the Fish Fund on future project proposal calls supported by the Fund along with strategy updates including budgetary and staffing considerations.
The meeting featured presentations from International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) regarding its Self-Assessment Tool related to implementing Fisheries Subsidies Agreement; Belize shared experiences using this tool. Seychelles Fishing Authority presented plans for upgrading its fisheries management system.
Article 7 of this new Agreement provides a voluntary funding mechanism aimed at technical assistance and capacity building support for developing countries’ legislative adjustments necessary under this agreement framework—eighty-four WTO members have formally accepted thus far; twenty-seven more acceptances are needed before it comes into effect allowing access through deposited instruments acceptance via WTO structures.