After 20 years of negotiations, the WTO adopted the landmark Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in June 2022.

The agreement marks a major step forward for ocean sustainability by prohibiting harmful fisheries subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fishstocks. However, there remains unfinished business and unless compromise can be reached, the agreement will be terminated after 4 years.

To discuss this, the Environmental Committee has invited Christophe Bellmann.

Christophe is the Head of Policy Analysis and Strategy of the IHEID’s Forum on Trade, Environment and the SDGs (TESS). He is an expert on the WTO & the environment and has been actively involved in the fisheries negotiations for years. Over the course of his career, Christophe has worked for various international institutions (including FAO, UNCTAD, OECD, WTO and IISD) and served as an advisor for developing countries.

The event will begin with an overview of the underlying issues, the fisheries agreements, and the history and the prospects of the fisheries negotiations.

Subsequently, participants will have the chance to ask questions and discuss pertinent issues. Members of the Environmental Committee will moderate the discussions.