Ecuador and Burkina Faso are the latest nations to deposit instruments of acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
Ambassador José Valencia presented Ecuador’s instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkina Faso Citizens Abroad , Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, presented his countryo’s instrument of acceptance.
‘I warmly welcome Ecuador’s formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. As one of the largest tuna exporters in the world and the proud steward of the Galapagos islands, Ecuador stands to gain immensely from this global commitment to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. This Agreement will not only preserve marine biodiversity but will also secure long-term economic opportunities for the nation,’ said WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala.
‘I am delighted that Burkina Faso has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. As a landlocked, least-developed country, Burkina Faso’s commitment underscores the vital role that all WTO members must play in advancing this Agreement closer towards entry into force to foster sustainable global fisheries worldwide for the benefit of all people’s livelihoods and food security. I hope more members swiftly follow suit.’
Seventeen African members have formally accepted the Agreement, of which nine are least-developed countries. Twenty-six more formal acceptances are needed for the Agreement to come into effect. The Agreement will enter into force upon acceptance by two-thirds of the membership.
‘It is an honour to present, on behalf of Ecuador, the instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the first WTO instrument that promotes trade regulations while considering the sustainability of the oceans. The acceptance of this Agreement reaffirms Ecuador’s and its government’s firm commitment to promoting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14.6, protecting the life cycles of marine populations, improving the living conditions of citizens who depend on fishing activities — particularly the most economically vulnerable communities — and promoting transparency by prohibiting subsidies to harmful activities such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing,’ commented ambassador José Valencia.
‘Burkina Faso’s ratification of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is testimony to the emphasis our country places on honouring its international commitments, in this case its WTO commitments,’ said Minister Jean Marie Traoré.
‘The significance of an international commitment promoting the sustainability of oceans and their resources, which benefit all — irrespective of geographical location — cannot be overstated. We wish to see implementation of this Agreement benefiting all countries, including landlocked ones, through technical capacity-building of stakeholders in the fisheries sector. We are pinning our hopes on the effectiveness of this Agreement in all its dimensions.’
