Members adopt rules of procedure at first Fisheries Subsidies Committee meeting

The Committee adopted its rules of procedure, the template for its annotated draft agenda of meetings, and a decision on the electronic submissions of members' notifications. It also granted the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization permanent observer status.

The Committee on Fisheries Subsidies was established to monitor and review implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, to maintain regular dialogue on matters relating to its operation and to enhance transparency of the notifications and information required under the Agreement. The Agreement entered into force on 15 September 2025.

Transparency 

The Chair of the Committee, Ana Laura Lizano of Costa Rica, noted that 12 WTO members have submitted their first notifications on relevant regional fisheries management organization/ arrangements (RFMO/A) to which they are parties. She encouraged all members to submit their notifications as soon as possible, including on other requirements under the Agreement.

Praising those members that have already notified, DG Okonjo-Iweala said: "We are all about transparency for the effective operation of WTO committees, and this Committee will be no exception. I  hope that members will redouble their efforts and set an example in this Committee for the WTO."

To date, 119 WTO members have formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The latest members to have deposited their instruments of acceptance were Paraguay, Samoa, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 26 March at the WTO 14^th Ministerial Conference held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The full list of members is available here.

Next meeting

The next regular meeting of the Committee on Fisheries Subsidies is scheduled for the week of 26 October 2026.