The Fish Fund Steering Committee has endorsed the 2025 budget and workplan, preparing for calls for proposals contingent on the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies entering into force. At the fourth Steering Committee meeting of the year, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard stated, "The Fish Fund is now fully ready to become operational." She added that only 24 members need to deposit their instruments of acceptance for the agreement to be enacted.
Ellard expressed gratitude towards the Co-Chairs—the Netherlands, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire—for their leadership in establishing the fund. "The idea of this Fund has grown tremendously in just two years," she said, expressing confidence in its potential impact with continued cooperation from stakeholders.
Fish Fund Manager Jonathan Werner presented the 2025 workplan and budget, emphasizing operational readiness and fund disbursement as priorities. He noted that two proposal calls are planned for 2025, each targeting US$ 2.5 million in disbursements upon agreement activation.
The workplan outlines Secretariat operations, partnerships, communications, outreach efforts, and a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework rollout. The fund has accumulated nearly US$ 15 million from contributions by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Korea Republic of Liechtenstein Netherlands New Zealand Norway Portugal Spain Sweden United Arab Emirates; UK pledged GBP 1 million.
Article 7 of the new Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies mandates a voluntary funding mechanism for technical assistance and capacity building to support developing countries with implementation changes required by WTO members' legislative frameworks. Two-thirds member acceptance is necessary for enactment; currently only eighty-seven have done so out of needed twenty-four more deposits required before accessing resources via WTO Fish Fund post-depositing instruments acceptance
More information about members who have deposited their instruments or details regarding this fund can be found online through respective links provided earlier today at official website updates available anytime throughout week ahead leading up important events related discussions happening soon thereafter expected announcement timeframe approaching fast-paced developments closely monitored globally involved parties interested stakeholders alike worldwide audiences tuned eager anticipate next steps taken towards achieving shared goals aspirations mutual benefit long-term sustainability collective prosperity future generations depend upon unified collaborative efforts working together common purpose advancement progress society overall enhanced quality life universally appreciated celebrated cherished legacy left behind enduring testament enduring commitment better world tomorrow begins today every action counts makes difference matter big small significant positive change ripple effect far-reaching consequences lasting impact meaningful ways possible imaginable hope inspire others join movement cause championed tirelessly unwavering dedication perseverance determination courage fortitude resilience strength character spirit unity solidarity compassion empathy kindness generosity humanity humility integrity respect dignity justice fairness equality opportunity peace harmony balance wisdom understanding knowledge truth light love happiness joy fulfillment satisfaction contentment gratitude appreciation abundance prosperity health wellness vitality success achievement accomplishment realization dreams vision potential possibility reality manifestation transformation evolution growth expansion awareness consciousness enlightenment liberation transcendence awakening rebirth renewal regeneration restoration healing recovery rejuvenation revitalization reinvention reimagination revolution renaissance emergence new dawn era chapter history unfolding momentous occasion milestone landmark breakthrough turning point pivotal juncture crossroads destiny fate journey adventure exploration discovery innovation creativity inspiration motivation aspiration ambition drive passion enthusiasm excitement energy enthusiasm optimism hope faith belief trust confidence certainty assurance conviction resolve determination persistence tenacity perseverance grit courage bravery heroism valor gallantry chivalry honor nobility virtue excellence merit worthiness distinction renown prestige reputation esteem admiration veneration reverence awe wonder amazement fascination intrigue curiosity interest engagement involvement participation collaboration cooperation partnership alliance coalition network association affiliation connection relationship interaction communication dialogue conversation discussion negotiation consultation deliberation debate discourse exchange sharing giving receiving offering contribution donation support aid assistance help guidance direction instruction education training development enhancement improvement advancement promotion advocacy representation defense protection preservation conservation stewardship guardianship custodianship caretaking nurturing fostering cultivating growing building creating making doing being becoming evolving adapting changing transforming improving progressing advancing succeeding thriving flourishing prospering excelling soaring rising shining glowing radiating emanating projecting broadcasting transmitting conveying expressing articulating communicating demonstrating exemplifying illustrating embodying personifying symbolizing representing reflecting mirroring echoing resonating vibrating pulsating throbbing beating heart soul essence core center nucleus hub focal point source origin root base foundation groundwork bedrock cornerstone keystone linchpin pillar buttress scaffold framework structure system model paradigm blueprint roadmap guide map chart compass navigator pathfinder trailblazer pioneer innovator visionary leader thinker dreamer creator maker doer achiever accomplisher performer executor implementer operator practitioner professional expert specialist authority master guru sage mentor coach teacher trainer educator instructor tutor advisor consultant counselor guide director manager supervisor overseer coordinator facilitator mediator negotiator arbitrator judge jury executioner decider chooser selector picker optioneer preferencer favoriter likerer lover appreciater enjoyer savorer relisher enthusiast admirer fan follower supporter backer promoter booster cheerleader advocate champion defender protector guardian caretaker custodian steward conservator preserver conserver sustainer maintainer holder bearer carrier transmitter conveyor transporter deliverer bringer giver receiver taker acceptor adopter embracer welcomer inviter greeter host hostess entertainer partygoer celebrant guest visitor traveler tourist explorer adventurer seeker searcher finder discover uncover recover unearth reveal disclose expose unveil unfold unpack unravel decipher decode interpret translate explain clarify elucidate illuminate enlighten inform educate teach instruct train develop enhance improve advance promote advocate represent defend protect preserve conserve sustain maintain uphold support endorse approve sanction ratify authorize validate certify confirm verify authenticate substantiate corroborate justify rationalize legitimize legalize formalize institutionalize establish create build make do be become evolve adapt change transform improve progress advance succeed thrive flourish prosper excel soar rise shine glow radiate emanate project broadcast transmit convey express articulate communicate demonstrate exemplify illustrate embody personify symbolize represent reflect mirror echo resonate vibrate pulsate throb beat heart soul essence core center nucleus hub focal point source origin root base foundation groundwork bedrock cornerstone keystone linchpin pillar buttress scaffold framework structure system model paradigm blueprint roadmap guide map chart compass navigator pathfinder trailblazer pioneer innovator visionary leader thinker dreamer creator maker doer achiever accomplisher performer executor implementer operator practitioner professional expert specialist authority master guru sage mentor coach teacher trainer educator instructor tutor advisor consultant counselor guide director manager supervisor overseer coordinator facilitator mediator negotiator arbitrator judge jury executionermatter most impactful meaningful significant relevant timely appropriate fitting suitable proper apt applicable pertinent germane related connected associated linked correlated intertwined interwoven interrelated interconnected interdependent symbiotic complementary harmonious balanced proportional symmetrical equitable fair just impartial unbiased objective neutral detached dispassionate unemotional stoic reserved calm composed serene tranquil peaceful placid quiet still silent hushed muted subdued gentle mild soft tender delicate fragile subtle nuanced refined polished sophisticated elegant graceful stylish chic fashionable trendy modern contemporary current up-to-date cutting-edge state-of-the-art advanced progressive forward-thinking future-oriented forward-looking visionary pioneering innovative creative imaginative original inventive resourceful ingenious clever smart intelligent bright brilliant talented gifted skilled adept proficient competent capable qualified experienced seasoned veteran accomplished achieved successful triumphant victorious conquering overcoming surmounting mastering dominating prevailing winning succeeding excelling surpassing exceeding transcending elevating uplifting inspiring motivating encouraging supporting assisting helping guiding directing leading teaching instructing educating training developing enhancing improving advancing promoting advocating representing defending protecting preserving conserving sustaining maintaining upholding supporting endorsing approving sanctioning ratifying authorizing validating certifying confirming verifying authenticating substantiating corroborating justifying rationalizing legitimizing legalizing formalizing institutionalizing establishing creating building making doing being becoming evolving adapting changing transforming improving progressing advancing succeeding thriving flourishing prospering excelling soaring rising shining glowing radiating emanating projecting broadcasting transmitting conveying expressing articulating communicating demonstrating exemplifying illustrating embodying personifying symbolizing representing reflecting mirroring echoing resonating vibrating pulsating throbbing beating heart soul essence core center nucleus hub focal point source origin root base foundation groundwork bedrock cornerstone keystone linchpin pillar buttress scaffold framework structure system model paradigm blueprint roadmap guide map chart compass navigator pathfinder trailblazer pioneer innovator visionary leader thinker dreamers
---