“Emphasised the need to ensure that emerging decisions remain fair and do not disproportionately impact vulnerable communities,” commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said in a post on X.
He said that further decisions must deliver an equitable and development-oriented outcome that protects both marine resources and livelihoods.
“Members agree to continue constructively in the negotiations, with a view to making recommendations to the Fifteenth WTO Ministerial Conference for provisions that would achieve the comprehensive disciplines on fisheries subsidies,” the WTO said in a draft declaration.
The draft is still under the responsibility of the chair and yet to be adopted by the members.
Goyal emphasised that fisheries in India are a vital source of livelihood and food security, supporting more than 9 million fishermen, largely comprising small, traditional, and artisanal fishermen practising sustainable methods.
“Highlighted India’s proactive and historical conservation efforts, including the annual fishing ban, demonstrating our long-standing commitment to sustainability well before it became a global priority,” he said, while emphasising that further decisions must deliver an equitable and development-oriented outcome that protects both marine resources and livelihoods.