WTO
TNC 30 September 2025. Statement by Norway.
Statement by Ambassador Petter Ølberg
Madam Chair,
Concerning agriculture, Norway refers to the statement by Switzerland on behalf of G10. As mentioned in the statement, it is vital for Norway that we work for a balanced approach for all members if there should be possible to reach a result in agriculture at MC14.
Turning to Fish – as I noted during our celebration on September 15th, this was the day the clock started ticking. The AFS terminates in four years – 15 September 2029 – if we don’t continue negotiations and arrive at an agreement on disciplines for overcapacity and overfishing.
First, we need a new chair – who will need some time, not too long, to get settled in.
Second, we all need to take a good look at our last text. To quote our previous chair, “for most Members, document TN/RL/W/285 continues to be the basis upon which they believe the negotiations on the Additional Provisions could be concluded.”
Most Members could live with that text, only a very, very few said they could not. Generally, we would expect that those who have issues, and who have proclaimed so loud and clear, would as a next step come with concrete proposals to amend the text. In so doing, they must take into careful consideration that we need to find consensus.
Thank you, Chair.