Countries that are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) must unite and urgently finalize discussions to tackle the pressing issue of harmful fisheries subsidies, which significantly contribute to problems of overfishing and overcapacity, especially in coastal regions.
Fiji’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Luke Daunivalu, made this appeal while speaking to leaders and government representatives at the recent WTO Public Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. He emphasized the necessity of reaching an agreement that would benefit the global community reliant on fish and marine resources for their livelihoods.
Current discussions among WTO-member nations regarding fisheries subsidies, particularly in the area known as ‘Fish 2’, involve stakeholders working together to find ways to achieve substantive results that prevent subsidizing overfishing and overcapacity, all while fostering development, livelihoods, and sustainability.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14.6 provides a clear directive for the WTO to address subsidies that lead to overfishing and overcapacity issues.
Mr. Daunivalu asserted that the perspectives of Fiji and the Pacific region must be included in these discussions. He remarked, “These negotiations on fisheries subsidies affect us deeply because we have large fishing vessels operating in our waters and foreign vessels that seek licenses and flags from Pacific nations to fish our stock. We are doing so by issuing licenses.”
He stressed the importance of being involved in the negotiations on fisheries subsidy agreements, asserting that if Fiji is absent from the discussions, its interests will be overlooked.
When questioned about Fiji’s confidence in the WTO, Mr. Daunivalu responded, “We must remain hopeful, stay engaged, and be part of the negotiations. We cannot afford to concede or step back.”
He reflected on the significance of the ocean for Fiji and the Pacific, stating, “For us, it represents our past, our present, and our future. It is crucial to maintain our ambitions and ensure that our outcomes sustainably support the livelihoods of coastal communities that rely on marine resources for their primary source of protein.”
He concluded, “We will not passively allow our ambition to be diminished. We all come with aspirations, and for the Pacific and Fiji, those aspirations are significant.”