Dr. Kituyi has been leading the efforts to build a coalition seeking the implementation of SDG 14.6 and phase out harmful subsidies jointly with the FAO and UNEP.
As a consequence of his efforts and leadership, at the Fourteenth UNCTAD Ministerial Conference in July 2016, UNCTAD, FAO and UNEP issued a landmark political statement and international call1 to member States and the international community to deliver on trade-related targets under SDG14.
The statement includes a four-point plan:
1) Requires countries to provide information on the subsidies they provide
2) Prohibit those subsidies that contribute to overfishing and illegal fishing
3) Introduce new policies tools to deter the introduction of new harmful subsidies
4) Provide special and differential treatment to developing countries
The statement was supported by 91 Members States, 4 International and regional organizations and more than 10 global NGOs.
It was considered one of the main outcomes of the Conference and a fundamental tool to build consensus in the road to the United Nations High Level Conference "Our Oceans, our planet" and to the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (both in 2017).
While not consensual, of all relevant proposals in the WTO and arenas, this is the one that has gathered most support, paving the way for closing the gaps between differing positions on the matter.
