OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this event is to introduce the Fund to all WTO Ministers and their delegations, and the general public.

BACKGROUND: Article 7 of the draft Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in WT(MIN22)/W/20, foresees the provision of targeted technical assistance and capacity building assistance to developing country Members, including LDC Members, for the purpose of implementing the disciplines under the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. Article 7 also foresees, in support of this assistance, the establishment of a voluntary WTO funding mechanism in cooperation with relevant international organizations such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Based on this draft language, the Director-General along with the Chair of the Negotiating Group on Rules have been exploring the creation of a WTO trust fund, the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism ("the Fund"), for technical assistance and capacity building in support of the implementation of new WTO fisheries subsidies disciplines. The concept note for the Fund, which makes the link with Article 7 of the draft Agreement, has been circulated to all Members in document TN/C/21/Rev.1. The concept note elaborates on how the funding mechanism will deliver on its objective of supporting implementation of the new disciplines.

The press has been invited.

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Programme

09h00 – 09h05 Opening by the Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

09h05- 09h10    Chair of the Negotiating Group on Rules, H.E. Ambassador Santiago Wills

09h10 – 09h15 Presentation of the Fund by the Director-General

09h15 – 09h30 Beneficiaries' remarks

09h30 – 09h45 Donors' remarks

09h45 – 09h55 Questions/comments from the floor

09h55 – 10h00 Closing by the Director-General