Oman joins World Trade Organisation fisheries agreement

The Sultanate of Oman has officially joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, after depositing the signed instrument of acceptance on September 11 2025, at the WTO headquarters in Geneva.

This step underscores Oman's commitment to international cooperation and the protection of marine resources.

The announcement was made during an official ceremony attended by the Director-General of the WTO and representatives of member states, celebrating the agreement's entry into force on September 15, 2025. This took place after the requirement of ratification by two-thirds of the member states (166 states as of August 2024) was met.

Idris Alkhanjari, Permanent Representative of Oman to the UN and Other International Organisations in Geneva said that Oman is honoured to deposit its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

“This decision is a clear reaffirmation of Oman’s commitment to the WTO multilateral trading system.,” he added.

“By joining this landmark agreement, Oman aligns itself with international efforts to stop harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and the degradation of marine ecosystems. This significant step demonstrates Oman’s recognition of the vital need to balance economic growth in its fisheries sector with long-term ecological sustainability. The fisheries sector is among the key five sectors in Oman vision 2040,” he said.

Faisal Alhinai, Deputy Head of Oman's Mission to the WTO, said that this accession shows Oman's deep understanding of the importance of balancing economic development and marine environmental protection. He noted that the agreement provides a practical framework for enhancing international cooperation in facing challenges of illegal fishing and conserving fish stocks.

Through this commitment, he added, Oman affirms its readiness to continue working with its international partners to exchange experiences and develop policies that ensure the sustainability of this vital sector for future generations.