By Jones Gadama
Malawi’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Caroline Bwanali-Mussa, has reiterated the country’s commitment to the multilateral trading system.
This commitment was highlighted when WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received Malawi’s instruments of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
The agreement aims to curb harmful fisheries subsidies that contribute to the depletion of marine fish stocks globally.
Malawi, despite not being a coastal country, has expressed support for WTO members’ collective efforts to protect the environment, conserve global fish stocks, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Malawi’s acceptance of the agreement brings to 100 the number of WTO members that have deposited their instruments of acceptance. The WTO now needs just 11 more members to add the agreement to the WTO rulebook.
“We are committed to the multilateral trading system,” Ambassador Bwanali-Mussa said, adding that,”Although we are not a coastal country, we fully support WTO members’ collective efforts to protect the environment, conserve global fish stocks, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.”
Okonjo-Iweala praised Malawi’s commitment, stating that the country’s acceptance marks a milestone in the multilateral deal to support sustainable use of oceans and fisheries.
