The World Trade Organization's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has officially entered into force after receiving the required acceptance from over two-thirds of its members. The agreement is the first multilateral WTO pact centered on environmental sustainability, aiming to curb government support for illegal fishing and overexploitation of marine resources.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the instruments of acceptance from Brazil, Kenya, Viet Nam, and Tonga during a meeting marking this milestone. She stated: "At a time when the international trading system faces profound challenges, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sends a powerful signal that WTO members can work together in a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility to deliver solutions to global challenges. The entry into force of this Agreement stands as a reminder that many of the biggest challenges we face are more effectively addressed at the multilateral level. People and nations need a multilateralism that delivers – which is why today is so reassuring."
Following the official signing, Okonjo-Iweala handed the depositary notification to General Council Chair Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel of Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Almoqbel remarked: "This Agreement is a testament to our shared vision for sustainable global fisheries. Acceptance of the Protocol has demanded not just the engagement of our Ambassadors and delegates here in Geneva. It has also involved genuine political will and careful coordination in capitals. It is thanks to our collective resolve and commitment that we witness its entry into force today.”
Mali and Oman have also ratified the agreement and are expected to deposit their instruments soon.
WTO members described the agreement as an important step for both trade policy and environmental protection, emphasizing its role in restoring fish stocks, supporting fishing communities' livelihoods, and promoting food security worldwide.
The agreement was adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference in June 2022. Its rules prohibit subsidies linked to illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing, subsidies for fishing overfished stocks, and subsidies for fishing on unregulated high seas.
Recent data shows that about 35.5 percent of global fish stocks were overfished in 2021 compared with only 10 percent in 1974 (source: https://openknowledge.fao.org). Global subsidies to marine fishing activities are estimated at $35 billion per year, with approximately $22 billion considered harmful due to their contribution to depletion of marine stocks.
Congratulatory messages came from several international leaders including UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan representing UN Secretary-General António Guterres; Ambassador Olivier Poivre d'Arvor on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron; as well as video messages from leaders such as Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Cabo Verde Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Iceland Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim, Swiss Vice President Guy Parmelin, Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and UN Special Envoy for the Ocean Ambassador Peter Thomson.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala called on remaining WTO members to ratify quickly: "I strongly encourage all remaining members to complete their acceptances without delay," she said. "One of my key aspirations is to see the Agreement ratified by all members by the 14th Ministerial Conference [scheduled for March 2026], where we will have the opportunity to celebrate this collective achievement together."
Some WTO members also pledged support for capacity building in developing economies implementing these new obligations.
To assist implementation efforts among developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs), ministers have set up a WTO Fish Fund offering technical assistance and capacity-building support. Seventeen members have pledged more than $18 million towards this fund so far.
Earlier this month, eligible ratifying members were invited through an initial Call for Proposals under this fund to submit requests for project grants supporting implementation efforts; applications are due by October 9.
Oversight will be provided by a Committee on Fisheries Subsidies tasked with maintaining dialogue about member practices related to fishing activities and government support measures.
A list detailing which WTO members have deposited their instruments of acceptance is available online along with further explanatory materials.