The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged $1 million (approximately CHF 847,000) to help developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) implement the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. UAE Ambassador Abdelsalam Mohamed A. Al Ali handed over the donation to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday.
The contribution will support countries in meeting their obligations under the landmark agreement, which aims to curb harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and the depletion of global fish stocks. The agreement also seeks to promote sustainable fishing practices, a vital step towards protecting marine ecosystems and supporting millions of people who rely on fisheries for their livelihoods.
WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude for the UAE’s support. “The generous contribution from the United Arab Emirates to the WTO Fish Fund is an important step towards supporting sustainable fishing practices globally. It will help fellow WTO members meet their obligations under the landmark Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and manage their fisheries sustainably,” she said. “This demonstration of global solidarity will help protect our oceans and support the millions of people who depend on marine resources for their livelihoods and food security.”
Ambassador Al Ali reiterated the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development and highlighted the importance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. “As one of the early ratifiers of the agreement, the UAE is proud to formalise its support with this $1 million contribution,” Al Ali said. “We believe this fund will play a crucial role in helping developing countries and LDCs adopt sustainable fishing practices and accelerate the agreement’s implementation.”
The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies will come into force once ratified by two-thirds of WTO members. So far, 83 members have ratified the deal, with 28 more acceptances required. The fund, operated by the WTO in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Bank, will provide technical assistance to support the implementation of the agreement in developing nations.
The UAE’s donation underscores its commitment to addressing the global depletion of fish stocks and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 14.6, which focuses on conserving marine resources for future generations.
