FAO.org

FAO Members participating in last week’s Thirty-fourth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) welcomed the increase in the number of Parties to the 2009 Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) and the growing global commitment for its effective implementation, while they encouraged further adherence to the Agreement.

As COFI Members reunited for the first time in a virtual mode due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian Federation announced it was becoming a Party to the PSMA. The Russian Federation thus joined another 68 FAO Members, including the European Union which is counted as one on behalf of its member States. 

Earlier this year, the United Kingdom deposited its instrument of accession to become a Party to the Agreement, following its departure from the European Union.

During this Thirty-fourth Session of COFI (COFI34), FAO confirmed it would be further strengthening its USD 20 million Global Capacity Development Programme, to support countries in enhancing their capacity to implement the PSMA and complementary international instruments.