COMMUNICATION ON FISHERIES SUBSIDIES

Communication from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Uruguay

The following communication, dated 27 June 2024, is being circulated at the request of the delegations of Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.

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COMMUNICATION ON FISHERIES SUBSIDIES

Taking into consideration the engagement shown by Members in advancing towards the prompt entry into force of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, as well as the need to adopt additional provisions on certain types of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, our delegations recognize the urgency of concluding the second round of fisheries subsidies negotiations.

In this light, building on the progress made and commitment demonstrated at the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference (MC13), our delegations undertake to work towards reaching an agreement within the framework of the next General Council meeting in July.

Furthermore, while valuable and significant progress is made in document TN/RL/W/278, we consider that the changes in the draft produced by a large and diverse group of Members at the end of MC13, which are included in paragraphs 57 to 59 of document TN/RL/W/278/Add.1, result in a more balanced, preferable and more viable text.

We reiterate that, in the ongoing negotiations, it is a priority to bear in mind the environmental protection objectives of the new agreement, the regulation of Members that are the biggest subsidizers, and the principle of special and differential treatment.

Lastly, our group emphasizes that whatever procedures and time frames are agreed on by Members, they should ensure transparency and inclusiveness in the negotiations and lead to a substantive Agreement.

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