WTO Approves $2.2M Grants for Fisheries Subsidies

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Fish Fund Steering Committee approved grants totaling nearly $2.2 million to 17 developing and least-developed country (LDC) WTO members during its seventh meeting. This funding is part of the second Call for Proposals, which closed on 8 May, aimed at assisting countries in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

The approved projects will focus on conducting needs assessments, improving reporting procedures, enhancing data collection, and strengthening regulatory frameworks. With this approval, over 40 WTO members are now benefiting from the Fish Fund.

Deputy Director-General of the WTO, Jennifer Nordquist, noted the progress made in under ten months, highlighting the global impact of the Fund's grants across various regions. The Steering Committee also reviewed the first Call for Proposals, which resulted in 26 grants amounting to nearly $2.9 million.

Co-Chairs from Peru and Australia emphasized the Fund's effective collaboration and commitment to delivering meaningful results for developing and least-developed members.