Kuwait has officially accepted the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, with Kuwait’s Ambassador to the WTO, Nasser Abdullah Al-Hayen, presenting the instrument of acceptance to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on October 22, 2024. This acceptance brings the total number of WTO members that have formally ratified the agreement to 86.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala expressed her appreciation, stating, “I warmly welcome Kuwait’s acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies — the seventh from the Arab region. As a significant importer of marine fish products, Kuwait is making a crucial contribution towards the sustainability of global fisheries by committing to the implementation of this agreement. Combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is vital for advancing global food security.”
Kuwait’s WTO Ambassador Al-Hayen reaffirmed Kuwait’s dedication to sustainable fishing practices and the multilateral trading system. He highlighted that Kuwait’s acceptance of the agreement aligns with its commitment to fair and sustainable international trade, as well as the conservation of global fishery resources. “Kuwait recognizes the importance of this agreement in combating illegal fishing practices and protecting marine ecosystems, in line with the country’s obligations under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14,” Al-Hayen emphasized.
Ambassador Al-Hayen also commended the WTO’s efforts to address global challenges, stressing the importance of multilateral cooperation for environmental sustainability. “A shared commitment to environmental sustainability and multilateral cooperation is essential to securing the future for the next generations. Kuwait is ready to collaborate closely with all WTO members to ensure the successful implementation of this vital agreement,” he said.
Kuwait is the fourth member of the Gulf Cooperation Council to formally accept the agreement. For the agreement to come into force, two-thirds of the WTO’s membership must ratify it, with 25 more formal acceptances still required.
The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was adopted by consensus during the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva in June 2022. It introduces new multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies, which are a major cause of the depletion of global fish stocks. The agreement also includes provisions for technical assistance and capacity-building for developing economies and least-developed countries, helping them meet their obligations under the treaty.
The Agreement prohibits subsidies for IUU fishing, overfished stocks, and unregulated fishing on the high seas. Ongoing negotiations aim to address remaining issues and strengthen the agreement’s provisions further.