The United Arab Emirates is contributing USD 1 million (about CHF 847,000) to assist developing members and least-developed country (LDC) members implement the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
UAE Ambassador Abdelsalam Mohamed A. Al Ali presented the contribution to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 17 September.
DG Okonjo-Iweala said: "The generous contribution from the United Arab Emirates to the WTO Fish Fund is an important step towards supporting sustainable fishing practices globally. It will help fellow WTO members meet their obligations under the landmark Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and manage their fisheries sustainably".
" I am grateful for this demonstration of global solidarity, which will help us protect our oceans and support the millions of people who depend on marine resources for their livelihoods and food security."
Ambassador Al Ali said: "As the UAE was one of the early member countries to ratify the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, joining the international efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14.6, it is equally proud and honoured to officially formalize the announcement made by His Royal Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, to contribute USD 1 million to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism."
"This initiative stems from the UAE's deep concern about the worrying situation of fish stocks around the globe accelerated by the negative impact of harmful subsidies.
Taking into account the urgent need to protect oceans from the widespread depletion of the world's fish stocks, the UAE has formally accepted this long-awaited and historical Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies." he said.
