WTO Approves $2.2million Fisheries Fund Support for Nigeria, 16 Other Countries

News in Brief:

— The World Trade Organisation has approved nearly $2.2 million in grants for 17 developing and least-developed countries to support implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

— Nigeria is using its grant to assess fisheries subsidies, regulatory systems and institutional capacity as it prepares to access a larger implementation grant of up to $300,000.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has approved nearly $2.2 million in grants for 17 developing and least-developed countries to support the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, while Nigeria continues to benefit from an earlier funding round aimed at strengthening fisheries governance.

The grants were approved by the WTO Fish Fund Steering Committee during its seventh meeting under the Fund's second Call for Proposals, which closed on 8 May.

Grants to Strengthen Fisheries Governance

According to the WTO, the newly approved projects will help beneficiary countries implement the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by conducting national needs assessments, improving reporting systems, strengthening data collection and enhancing regulatory frameworks.

With the latest approvals, more than 40 of the organisation's members are now receiving support through the Fish Fund.

The Steering Committee also reviewed progress under the first Call for Proposals, through which 26 grants worth nearly $2.9 million were approved. Most of those projects are already being implemented.

WTO Highlights Progress

Speaking at the meeting, WTO Deputy Director-General Jennifer Nordquist said the Fund has made significant progress in a relatively short period.

She noted that grants are already supporting fisheries reforms across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific, South and Central America, and the Middle East.

According to Nordquist, several preparation grants are still underway and are expected to lead to additional projects that will help countries fully implement the Agreement's disciplines.

Nigeria Preparing for Larger Implementation Grant

Nigeria is among the African countries benefiting from the Fish Fund through a Project Preparation Grant approved during the first funding round.

The grant is supporting a national assessment of fisheries subsidies, fisheries management systems, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity to identify implementation needs.

The assessment is expected to position Nigeria to apply for a future Project Grant of up to $300,000 under the Fund's second financing window, subject to approval.

Africa Receives Significant Share of Support

According to the WTO, African countries account for 14 of the 43 grants approved across the Fund's first two Calls for Proposals, representing total commitments of approximately $1.6 million.

Countries that have received support include Cameroon, Comoros, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Seychelles and Sierra Leone under the first funding round.

Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire and Togo were approved under the second Call for Proposals.

Committee Endorses Implementation Measures

The Steering Committee also endorsed recommendations aimed at strengthening implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, including conducting comprehensive needs assessments and ensuring that financial support remains aligned with the objectives of the Agreement.

Members also acknowledged the technical contributions of the Fund's core partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Bank Group and the WTO, particularly in evaluating project proposals.

The Committee's co-chairs, Peru and Australia, said the Fund has successfully transitioned from establishment to full-scale implementation, describing it as an important mechanism for supporting developing countries while promoting the long-term sustainability of global marine fisheries.