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The seventh meeting of the Global Record Informal Open-Ended Technical and Advisory Working Group was held on 19 March, in Panama City, Panama.

Delegates from 33 States and the European Union, together with representatives of intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) met to take stock of the status of the Global Record, a phased and collaborative global initiative to make available certified data from State authorities about vessels and their activities.

Since its launch in 2017, data about more than 12 000 vessels was uploaded into the Global Record information system, with information about vessels and their activities provided by 69 States.

The Global record serves as an important tool for port States to verify vessel information, including through the use of the recently launched Global Information Exchange System (GIES) which allows States to strengthen risk analysis and verify information related to vessels suspected to have engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

During this seventh meeting, participants discussed the importance of vessel type and beneficial ownership information for the role of the Global Record in the fight against IUU fishing.

The seventh meeting of the Global Record Informal Open-Ended Technical and Advisory Working Group was held with the financial support of the European Union.

The Global Record is developed and maintained by FAO with the support of the European Union.