North Macedonia has formally accepted the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, depositing its instrument of acceptance on February 28th. Acting Permanent Representative Burim Bilali presented the document to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“We are grateful for North Macedonia’s formal acceptance,” said DG Okonjo-Iweala. “As a landlocked nation, their commitment highlights the global importance of responsible fisheries management, ocean sustainability, and food security. This acceptance provides significant momentum toward the Agreement’s entry into force.”
Mr. Bilali stated, “By accepting this agreement, North Macedonia reinforces its commitment to protecting marine resources and addressing harmful subsidies that drive overfishing.”
With North Macedonia’s acceptance, 91 WTO members have now formally joined the Agreement. Twenty more acceptances are required for it to take effect.
The Agreement, adopted at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), sets binding rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies, a key factor in global fish stock depletion. It prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fishing overfished stocks, and fishing on the unregulated high seas. The Agreement also supports developing economies and least-developed countries through technical assistance and capacity building. WTO members are continuing negotiations to further enhance the Agreement’s disciplines.
