Ocean Economy (Blue Economy): Kenya Champions Coastal State Rights at the World Trade Organization (WTO)

In a landmark move aimed at protecting the world’s oceans, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced a new agreement to eliminate the most harmful fisheries subsidies. Speaking at the Sustainable Blue Economy Investment Forum in Estoril, Portugal, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that the deal will strengthen global efforts to develop a sustainable maritime economy while freeing up billions of dollars for environmentally responsible investments. Kenya and Portugal co-hosted the event, underscoring Nairobi’s growing role in global blue economy discussions.
The agreement, negotiated over more than two decades, targets subsidies that contribute to overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as fishing on the high seas and overexploited stocks. A technical assistance fund has been established to help developing nations implement the new rules, with support from organizations such as the FAO, IFAD, and the World Bank. Director-General Okonjo-Iweala highlighted that this is the WTO’s first deal centered primarily on environmental objectives, reflecting a shift toward trade policies that integrate sustainability and responsible resource management.
Experts and stakeholders have hailed the agreement as a critical step toward securing the livelihoods of over three billion people dependent on marine resources. The move is expected to stimulate investment in emerging sectors such as sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, marine biotechnology, and ecotourism. By linking economic growth with ocean conservation, the deal also offers opportunities for small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to benefit from the transition to a blue economy. Looking ahead, WTO members plan to negotiate further measures addressing overcapacity and overfishing, positioning trade as a key tool for long-term ocean health and global food security.