Leading Geneva Think Tank Recognizes Philippines’ Commitment to Sustainability and Ratification of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement 

Director Alice Tipping awards the certificate of recognition and golden pin to the Philippines. 

GENEVA 07 March 2025 – On behalf of the Stop Funding Overfishing Coalition  (SFO), International Institute for  Sustainable Development (IISD) Trade and Sustainable Development Director Alice Tipping awarded the certificate of recognition and  golden pin to Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO Manuel A.J.  Teehankee for formally accepting the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement on 20 February 2025. This ceremony comes  also a year after the Philippines deposited its Instrument of Protocol on the WTO Agreement  on Fisheries Subsidies on 27 February 2024 at the sidelines of the 13th WTO Ministerial  Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.  

Pursuant to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Target 6, the Fisheries Subsidies  Agreement serves as the first WTO agreement focused on environmental sustainability, and which prohibits subsidies to fishing of overfished stocks, fishing on the unregulated high seas,  and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

Ambassador Teehankee noted that “the Philippines remains steadfast in its commitment to  fostering a triple win for trade, sustainability, and development. As a maritime nation, we  recognize the vital role of our fisheries in food security, livelihoods, and economic growth. The  Fisheries Subsidies Agreement represents a crucial step toward curbing harmful subsidies,  protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring the long-term viability of our oceans. By  supporting sustainable fishing practices, the Philippines aims to secure the future of our coastal  communities and contribute to global efforts for a resilient blue economy.” 

The Philippines was constructively engaged in the fisheries subsidies negotiations for many  years, and perhaps owing to this, was identified as a prospective beneficiary of the WTO  Fisheries Funding Mechanism that will support developing members in meeting their  notification obligations, improving data collection and building up fisheries administration  and management.  

As of press time, there are 91 WTO Members who have ratified the WTO Fisheries Subsidies  Agreement. END

For more information, visit https://wtopm.dfa.gov.ph/.