Philippines Appointed to Fish Fund Steering Committee, Enhancing Technical Capacity for Fisheries Subsidies Implementation

The Philippines, as one of the beneficiary members, joins as a new member of the Fish Fund Steering Committee. (Photo courtesy of WTO)

GENEVA 17 June 2025 — The Philippines has been appointed to the Fish Fund Steering Committee, joining other beneficiary members in supporting the effective implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The country will be represented by Mr. Marlito Cabuños, Agriculture Attaché of the Philippine Agriculture Office in Geneva.

The Steering Committee plays a vital role in guiding the use of the Fisheries Funding Mechanism—a dedicated trust fund established to help developing and least-developed countries implement their obligations under the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. With an initial fund of USD 17 million, the mechanism provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to countries striving to address harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Philippines, along with other committee members, will help oversee the strategic and impactful deployment of these resources as the first call for proposals is launched.

All Steering Committee members, including Mr. Cabuños, will serve a minimum term of one year.

Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Philippine Permanent Representative to the WTO, welcomed the appointment: “The Philippines is honored to serve on the Steering Committee at this critical time. As an archipelagic nation with millions depending on fisheries for their livelihood and food security, we are committed to contributing to the success of the Fisheries Funding Mechanism and ensuring that the Agreement delivers real benefits for coastal communities and marine sustainability.”

At the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), the Philippines was identified as a prospective priority beneficiary of the funding mechanism, recognizing the country’s proactive role in global fisheries reform and its particular needs as a developing coastal state.

In parallel with its participation in the Fund’s governance, the Philippines continues to advance key domestic fisheries management reforms. These include strengthened monitoring, control, and surveillance systems to combat IUU fishing and updated measures to restore overfished stocks—ensuring that national efforts remain aligned with global sustainability goals. END

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