Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Minister of Industry and Trade, addresses the meeting in Harpa on the opening morning of the Fisheries Meeting
Iceland is hosting an international expert meeting on fisheries management at Harpa, Reykjavík, from 23 to 27 February, bringing together nearly 150 experts from more than 60 countries alongside representatives of international organisations and other stakeholders.
Participants work across national governments and related institutions, shaping policy and implementation of fisheries management both domestically and through international co‑operation.
Iceland Chairs New UN‑FAO Fisheries Management Forum
The meeting is a formal United Nations forum within the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries (FAO COFI) Sub‑Committee on Fisheries Management. Iceland currently holds the two‑year chairmanship of this newly established sub‑committee, intended to become the leading international forum for discussion of technical and policy issues in fisheries management.
Ministers Highlight Co‑operation, Standards and Sustainability
“Iceland’s presidency represents a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping international policy in this important area and to strengthen co‑operation with other countries that emphasise responsible and sustainable use of the ocean,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.
“The meeting also provides an important opportunity to present the Icelandic approach to fisheries management, which is based on scientific advice, a clear regulatory framework and a long‑term vision for sustainability. The meeting also strengthens Iceland’s position as an active and influential participant in international policy‑making on ocean issues.”
Minister of Industry Hanna Katrín Friðriksson addressed the opening. “As before, Iceland emphasises the importance of international co‑operation, especially through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. FAO has developed international standards for responsible fishing and plays a key role in data collection, co‑ordination and the fight against illegal fishing,” she said. “Iceland will continue to actively participate in international policy‑making on ocean issues, including within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
First Physical Session of the Sub‑Committee
FAO COFI meetings are traditionally hosted by the presiding country. The Sub‑Committee on Fisheries Management first met electronically in January 2024, while this week’s Reykjavík gathering is the first in‑person session, supported by governments and partners.
Mandate of the FAO COFI Sub‑Committee
The Sub‑Committee is a recent international collaborative forum established to promote professional and technical discussion on global fisheries management. Its role is to address key challenges and best practices, support implementation of international standards and guidelines, and promote co‑ordinated approaches among countries for the sustainable use of living marine resources.
Operating under FAO’s Committee on Fisheries, one of the most important international policy‑making forums in fisheries and aquaculture, the Sub‑Committee aims to strengthen the scientific and technical basis for decision‑making, enhance co‑operation among countries, and advance responsible fisheries management that safeguards fish stocks, food security, and the long‑term sustainable use of the oceans.
