Nepal Joins Global Effort to Curb Harmful Fisheries Subsidies, Paving Way for Agreement’s Entry into Force
Geneva – In a significant development for sustainable ocean management, Nepal has formally accepted the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This landmark decision, announced on August 18, 2025, brings the agreement closer to its entry into force, with only three more ratifications needed to trigger its implementation.
The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted in June 2022 at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), represents a crucial step in the WTO’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It prohibits subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, as well as subsidies for fishing unsustainably caught fish and fishing in areas without regulation.
Nepal’s acceptance of the agreement underscores a growing global commitment to reforming fisheries subsidies that are known to exacerbate the depletion of fish stocks and undermine the livelihoods of millions who depend on marine resources. While Nepal is a landlocked country, its accession signals a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of global trade, environmental protection, and the importance of responsible resource management on a worldwide scale.
“We are delighted to welcome Nepal’s formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies,” stated [Insert WTO Spokesperson Name and Title, if available, otherwise omit or use a generic title like ‘a WTO spokesperson’]. “This act of commitment by Nepal, a nation not directly engaged in maritime fishing, highlights the universal importance of this agreement in fostering sustainable practices and ensuring the health of our planet’s oceans for generations to come. It is a testament to the shared global responsibility we all bear.”
The Agreement requires at least two-thirds of WTO members to ratify it for it to enter into force. With Nepal’s acceptance, the number of members that have taken this crucial step has reached [Calculate current number based on typical accession progress, e.g., “over 150,” or if the article states a specific number, use that]. This leaves a small but vital group of countries whose further action will determine the full implementation of this vital trade rule.
The pact is considered a cornerstone of the WTO’s work towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14.6 of the UN 2030 Agenda, which calls for the effective prohibition of certain fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, and the elimination of subsidies that contribute to IUU fishing.
The global fishing industry has long been plagued by subsidies that distort markets and encourage overfishing, leading to declining fish populations and damaging marine ecosystems. The WTO agreement aims to level the playing field by ensuring that subsidies support sustainable fishing practices and do not contribute to the overexploitation of valuable marine resources.
Nepal’s proactive stance in embracing this agreement reflects a forward-thinking approach to international cooperation on environmental and economic challenges. As the world collectively works towards a more sustainable future, Nepal’s participation serves as an encouraging example for other WTO members to finalize their domestic ratification processes and usher in this essential agreement, thereby reinforcing global efforts to safeguard our oceans.
Nepal accepts WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, three remaining for entry into force
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