The Philippines has joined fellow World Trade Organization (WTO) members in marking the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a historic pact designed to curb harmful subsidies that drive overfishing and threaten marine resources, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a news release.
The Agreement officially took effect on September 15, 2025, following years of negotiations among WTO members. The Philippines had deposited its instrument of acceptance at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.
As an archipelagic nation with more than 115 million people—millions of whom rely on fisheries for both food and livelihood—the Philippines said the deal is a major step toward protecting the oceans while ensuring food security and safeguarding the lives of fisherfolk, especially those in small coastal communities.
To help countries like the Philippines carry out their commitments, the WTO has created a Fisheries Subsidies Fund. The fund offers grants of up to US$50,000 for small projects and US$300,000 for larger initiatives, providing technical assistance and capacity-building support. Manila expects this mechanism will help strengthen sustainable coastal management and deliver real benefits to rural fishing communities across the archipelago.
Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee, the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the WTO, hailed the milestone: “Today’s entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies marks a collective victory for global sustainability and for millions of fisherfolk whose lives and livelihoods depend on healthy oceans. As the WTO’s first sustainability-focused agreement, it demonstrates that trade rules can serve as powerful tools for environmental protection and development.”
“For the Philippines, this Agreement is not only about protecting our marine biodiversity, but also about ensuring food security and building resilient coastal communities. We welcome the establishment of the Fisheries Fund, which will help developing countries like ours translate commitments into concrete action. The Philippines stands ready to work with WTO members and partners to ensure that this Agreement delivers real and lasting benefits for our people and our planet,” he added.
The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with other WTO members to implement the agreement, manage ocean resources sustainably, and uphold its role as steward of one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems.
For more information, visit wtopm.dfa.gov.ph.