The Doha Ministerial Conference launched negotiations to clarify and improve WTO disciplines on fisheries subsidies, and at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference in 2005 there was broad agreement on strengthening those disciplines, including through a prohibition of certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. The challenge now facing the negotiators is to develop stronger rules while respecting the important policy concerns of WTO members, particularly developing and least-developed countries.

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In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 173 - Conclude multilateral disciplines on fisheries subsidies which give effect to the WTO Doha Development Agenda and the Hong Kong Ministerial mandates.