FAO in Geneva Fisheries Trade Talks: Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction and the Role of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the importance of regional and subregional dimensions, economic integration, and interconnectivity towards sustainable development. Establishing a collaborative and cooperative framework to promote global cooperation and foster international and regional sustainable development initiatives to secure responsible fisheries and aquaculture, including in the marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), is particularly relevant today. In recent years, the international community has recognized the pivotal role of regional fisheries bodies, particularly Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), in strengthening the governance of shared fisheries. These bodies contribute significantly to the long-term conservation of fishery resources and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) supports regional fisheries bodies, including RFMOs and has been actively involved in establishing many of these organizations, formalizing opportunities for regional exchange of experiences, and facilitating processes necessary for the sustainable management of shared resources.
This edition of  FAO in Geneva Fisheries Trade Talks will provide an opportunity to elaborate on the function and work of RFMOs in the context of regional and global ocean governance in general and fisheries sustainability in particular, including their role in implementing the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.