TONGA’S MINISTER FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPEALS TO THE WTO TO CONSIDER FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT ISSUES FOR THE PACIFIC AT MC12.

Tonga, like most coastal countries and small island developing states is heavily dependent on its fisheries and ocean resources for food security, livelihoods, and economic development. Tonga supports the conclusion of a meaningful, transparent, and collective agreement that will prohibit and discipline harmful subsidies. An agreement that is in line with the mandates of SDG 14.6 and MC11, that prohibits certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing and eliminate subsides that contribute to IUU fishing, whilst securing effective and appropriate flexibilities that allows for the development of our fisheries industries in the future. Similar to Fisheries, Agriculture is an important sector for Tonga. We have witnessed the impacts of the global pandemic on the agricultural supply chains, which has countries setting policy measures to curb potentially adverse impacts on their domestic markets. As a Net Food Importing Developing Country and a co-sponsor to the JSI of the World Food Programme (WFP) it is crucial to keep markets open, trade flowing smoothly and supply chains functioning properly.  

For the full statement of the Hon. Minister Viliami Uasike Latu please click on the link: https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/mc12_e/mc12_statements_e.htm