Sri Lanka Ratifies WTO Fisheries Pact, Pushing Agreement Near Entry Into Force

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala hailed Sri Lanka’s acceptance as a powerful step toward the realization of an agreement that aims to protect ocean ecosystems under serious threat.

On 6 August, the World Trade Organization (WTO) marked a pivotal step toward the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, as Sri Lanka formally deposited its instrument of acceptance. This makes Sri Lanka the 107th WTO member to ratify the deal—bringing the global community within four acceptances of the required 111 for the agreement to enter into force.

The instrument was presented by Ambassador R.G.S. Wijesekara, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the WTO, to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at WTO headquarters in Geneva. The moment was celebrated by both parties as a reaffirmation of shared global commitments to sustainability, marine biodiversity, and responsible resource governance.

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DG Okonjo-Iweala: “Only Four More to Go”

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala hailed Sri Lanka’s acceptance as a powerful step toward the realization of an agreement that aims to protect ocean ecosystems under serious threat.

“Through the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, WTO members are coming together to invest in a sustainable future for our oceans. I am very grateful to Sri Lanka for its ratification, which paves the way for an imminent entry into force of this historic agreement,” she said.

“Only four more acceptances to go!”

Adopted by consensus at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June 2022 in Geneva, the agreement is the first WTO accord to focus on environmental sustainability. It aims to curb subsidies that enable overfishing and contribute to the depletion of marine stocks.

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Sri Lanka’s Commitment to Ocean Stewardship

In his remarks, Ambassador Wijesekara emphasized that the agreement aligns closely with Sri Lanka’s national priorities.

“It is a great honour for Sri Lanka to deposit its instrument of acceptance for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to responsible stewardship of our oceans — a commitment deeply rooted in our national policy of ‘Thriving Nation and a Beautiful Life.’”

He stressed that fisheries are central to Sri Lanka’s food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity. The ratification signals the country’s intent to implement robust measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while also protecting overfished stocks and aligning with global conservation practices.

Sri Lanka also expressed its intention to partner with the WTO's newly established Fisheries Subsidies Fund to build technical capacity within its fishing communities.

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About the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

The agreement sets binding global rules to eliminate the most harmful types of fisheries subsidies:

• Subsidies that support illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

• Subsidies directed toward fishing of overfished stocks.

• Subsidies that promote fishing on unregulated high seas—beyond any nation’s exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

It represents a landmark moment in international trade law by addressing the intersection of trade, environment, and development. Once enforced, the agreement will create legal obligations for all WTO members to avoid subsidizing harmful fishing practices, helping ensure the long-term sustainability of global fish stocks.

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Support for Developing Economies Through the Fish Fund

Recognizing the varied capacities of WTO members, the agreement includes a dedicated fund for technical assistance and capacity-building, specifically aimed at developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs).

The WTO Fish Fund, launched in 2023, opened a Call for Proposals in June this year, inviting eligible members that have ratified the agreement to submit project applications to help them meet their obligations. The deadline for submissions is 9 October 2025.

The fund supports efforts such as:

• Developing legal and regulatory frameworks.

• Monitoring and surveillance systems for fisheries.

• Training enforcement personnel.

• Raising awareness in fishing communities.

The Fish Fund has already gained traction among WTO members seeking to build institutional readiness while advancing marine conservation.

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Next Steps: Final Ratifications and Future Negotiations

The agreement requires formal acceptance by two-thirds of the 164 WTO members—111 ratifications—to enter into force. With 107 now secured, the finish line is in sight.

In parallel, WTO members have committed to continue negotiations on “phase two” provisions to address other types of harmful fisheries subsidies, including those that lead to overcapacity and overfishing but are not yet covered under the current rules.

These further talks aim to establish more comprehensive disciplines on subsidies, closing gaps in the existing framework and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 14.6: eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies.

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A Turning Point for the Oceans and Global Trade

The imminent enforcement of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies represents a breakthrough in how trade policy can support environmental sustainability and ocean health. It is not only a victory for marine ecosystems, but also for global cooperation in the face of shared ecological and economic challenges.

With only four more acceptances needed, momentum is building toward a future where global fishing practices are more sustainable, equitable, and science-based.