The European Union (EU) has announced its formal acceptance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on fisheries subsidies, representing all 27 member states. This decision Is seen hailed as a significant victory for environmental protection and multilateralism by the EU. The EU's acceptance of the agreement brings it one step closer to it being enforced and contributes to the fulfilment of Target 14.6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The EU emphasised that this agreement plays a crucial role in ensuring that fisheries subsidies prioritise sustainability as their primary objective, thus preventing the depletion of ocean resources and fish stocks that are essential for the livelihoods of coastal communities worldwide. Valdis Dombrovskis, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, stated that accepting the agreement will help to combat detrimental practices such as illegal fishing, ultimately turning the tide on these harmful activities.