Fish Fund Steering Committee finalizes budget awaiting fisheries subsidies agreement activation

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 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