[25 September, 2021, Dhaka]
Prof. Dr. Harunur Rashid has participated a Dialogue entitled "WTO Negotiations on Fisheries Subsidies: What Should be Bangladesh’s Stance?" as one of the Panelists. The dialogue was organized by BAPA (Bangladesh Environment Movement) on September 25, 2021, Saturday at 11.00 am using Zoom platform.
During the virtual dialogue Prof. Rashid has discussed on different aspects of the agreement regarding Fisheries Subsidies which is expected to be one of the key deliverables of the upcoming twelfth WTO (World Trade Organization) Ministerial Conference (MC12), to be held in Geneva from 30 November to 3 December, 2021. WTO members have been holding intensive discussion on various aspects of the text of the Agreement.
It is known that, overfishing and overcapacity is leading to serious depletion of global fish stocks which is having negative impacts on the fish stocks and environmental sustainability. The Fisheries Subsides Agreement seeks to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by bringing discipline in the amount of subsidies that WTO members will be able to give in support of their fisheries sector.
However, there are many concerns in this connection for Bangladesh and other LDCs and developing countries. These relate to definition of small-scale fishing, identification of prohibited subsidies, fishing in territorial waters and interests of artisanal fishing and support to artisanal communities. There is a need for a balanced approach in the Agreement that takes note of concerns of countries such as Bangladesh through special and differential treatment.
In view of the ongoing discussion and to identify Bangladesh’s possible stance at MC12, there is a need for a broad-based discussion on the relevant issues. Therefore, the objective of the dialogue was to create such an opportunity and platform for discussion.
The Zoom meeting was attended by concerned stakeholders including policymakers representatives from relevant Ministries and stakeholder groups, experts, environmental activists and media.
Mr. Tipu Munshi, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Commerce was present as the Chief Guest.
Mr. Hafizur Rahman, DG, WTO Cell, Ministry of Commerce, made the Keynote Presentation to initiate the discussion.
Prof. Dr. Harunur Rashid (BAU Department of Fisheries & Secretary, Fisheries Society of Bangladesh), Prof. Dr. M. Jahangir Alam (BAU Department of Agribusiness & Marketing), Dr. Md. Houmyoun Kabir Khan (Director, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) and Dr. Mustafa Abid Khan (Ex-member, Bangladesh Trade & Tariff Commission) discussed on the presentation as the panelists.

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