Centre for Trade and Investment Law Hosts Webinar on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) organised a webinar on the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS), following India's ratification of the agreement on 20 July 2026. Experts, specialists, and policymakers discussed the agreement's implementation, ongoing negotiations on overcapacity and overfishing, and challenges related to transparency, data systems, and small-scale fisheries.
Why It Matters
This is relevant for competitive exam candidates studying international trade organizations, WTO agreements, and current economic affairs involving India's treaty ratifications.
In Simple Words
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law held a webinar to discuss the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, shortly after India ratified it on July 20, 2026. The event coincided with WTO Fish Week.
Experts and policymakers talked about implementing the agreement, handling transparency rules, protecting small-scale fisheries, and negotiating new rules on overfishing and overcapacity.
Key Points
- The webinar was organised by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
- The event took place on 21 September 2026.
- The webinar followed India's ratification of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on 20 July 2026.
- The AFS was adopted at the WTO's Twelfth Ministerial Conference in 2022.
- The agreement establishes disciplines on harmful fisheries subsidies, including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
- The expert panel included international trade law experts and fisheries specialists from Geneva and India.
- Discussions covered implementation challenges, notification and transparency requirements, and special and differential treatment.
- The webinar highlighted the importance of reliable fisheries data and technical capacity.
Exam Angle
A. 20 July 2026
Source: Press Information Bureau