Key Facts
• September 15, 2025: WTO announced enforcement of illegal fishing subsidy ban.
• Over two-thirds of 166 WTO member countries accepted the agreement.
• Brazil, Kenya, Vietnam, and Tonga recently completed domestic approval processes.
• Agreement aims to ensure sustainable use of marine resources.
• WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala highlighted global cooperation amid trade challenges.
Summary
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has officially enforced an agreement banning subsidies for illegal fishing, marking a significant milestone after over 20 years of negotiations. The agreement, supported by more than two-thirds of the 166 member countries, aims to promote the sustainable use of marine resources. Brazil, Kenya, Vietnam, and Tonga were among the latest nations to finalize domestic approval processes. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of this agreement as a demonstration of global unity in addressing critical trade and environmental challenges.
