Centre for Trade and Investment Law Hosts Webinar

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, organised a webinar on “WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies: Legal Framework and Policy Prospects” on 21 September 2026. The webinar coincided with the commencement of WTO Fish Week and followed India’s ratification of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS). International trade law experts, fisheries specialists and policymakers participated in discussions on implementation of the Agreement, one year after its entry into force, as well as ongoing negotiations on additional disciplines concerning overcapacity and overfishing.

The webinar highlighted the importance of reliable fisheries data, strengthened monitoring and reporting systems, institutional coordination and adequate technical capacity for effective implementation of the AFS. The need for continued capacity building and technical assistance for developing and least-developed Members, including through available WTO mechanisms, was also discussed.

The expert panel comprised Ms. Alice Tipping, Director, Trade and Sustainable Development, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Geneva; Mr. Tristan Irschlinger, Senior Policy Advisor, IISD, Geneva; Prof. Mukesh Bhatnagar, Former Professor, Centre for WTO Studies (CWTOS); and Mr. Sebastian Mathew, Small-scale Fisheries Advisor. The session was moderated by Prof. James J. Nedumpara, Professor and Head, CTIL, and Head-in-Charge, CWTOS. Ms. Priyansha Hajela, Consultant (Legal), CTIL, delivered the opening remarks.. (UPDATED ON 23RD SEPTEMBER 2026)