From Inequality and Vulnerability
to Prosperity for All

Fisheries constitute a sector that holds considerable potential for the diversification and development of emerging economies across the developing world. Fish and fishery products are among the most important dynamic commodity products for the least developed countries (LDCs)

Despite its importance, the sector is often underdeveloped and the bulk of fish exports frequently consist of just a few products to a limited number of importing markets. Compliance with international public and private standards is perhaps the most significant barrier to export for least developed economies.

While UNCTAD's project address many constraints on tapping the potential of the fisheries sector in LDCs — both on the supply and demand side — it focuses most heavily on developing the capacities of these countries to meet international standards.

Objective:

  • To strengthen the capacity of private and public stakeholders in selected least developed countries to upgrade and diversify their fish exports, including by improving sanitary and phytosanitary standards

Expected accomplishments:

  • Increased expertise and technical knowledge of Governments to formulate and implement export development and diversification strategies to tap fishery potential existing in selected least developed countries

  • Improved capacity of Governments and the private sector in selected least developed countries to upgrade standards and comply with international food safety and related sanitary and phytosanitary standards

UNCTAD, Mauritius open fisheries regional centre of excellence

7 May 2019
Centre will bring together experts, researchers and policymakers from least developed countries and other African and Asian countries to develop their fisheries sectors.

Learning to scale fisheries for better livelihoods

22 Jan 2019
Least developed countries are finding out from Viet Nam how fisheries sector opportunities can transform their economies.

The path to sustainable fisheries runs through Viet Nam - Q&A with UNCTAD economist

19 Oct 2018
Economist Mussie Delelegn tells us why UNCTAD has partnered with a Vietnamese university to create a sustainable fisheries training centre.

UNCTAD and Vietnamese university to create a sustainable fisheries training centre

9 Mar 2018
Action taken to boost jobs and growth by harnessing the enormous potential of fisheries and aquaculture in least developed countries.

UNCTAD and the Commonwealth sign cooperation agreement

21 Sep 2017
UNCTAD and the Commonwealth Secretariat today announced that they had signed a cooperation agreement that will see them work hand in hand to boost sustainable growth in developing countries, with a strong focus on island nations.

Fishery exports and Least Developed Countries

24 Aug 2017
A new UNCTAD study examines the development potential of the fishery sector in selected Least Developed Countries in Africa and Asia, providing policy recommendations to overcome challenges on both the supply and demand sides.

A Piece of the Fish Pie: Sharing the Benefits of Fisheries with LDCs and SIDS

9 Jun 2017
UNCTAD held a side event on "Enhancing trade opportunities for Least Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States through the fisheries sector", during the UN Ocean conference in New York.

The clock is ticking for world leaders to generate wealth from sustainable fisheries

6 Jun 2017

UNCTAD holds an event themed on enhancing trade opportunities for least developing countries and small island developing states through the fisheries sector to address challenges imposed by international food standards.

UNCTAD fisheries project facilitates south-south partnerships

25 Aug 2016
Chinese collaboration with an UNCTAD fisheries project means that as well as helping developing countries to export more fish, the UN agency may also be advancing South-south cooperation.
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Promoting fish exports from Least Developed Countries

27 Jul 2015
UNCTAD is to organize a training and capacity building Workshop in Moroni, Comoros, from 28 to 30 July 2015. The workshop is part of UNCTAD's project titled: Building the capacities of selected Least Developed Countries to upgrade and diversify their fish exports.
Second Regional Training Course on Harnessing the Potential of the Fisheries Sector for Socioeconomic Development in the Least Developed Countries
Port Louis, Mauritius
Brainstorming Meeting on Impact Financing in the Fisheries Sector in Least Developed Countries and Other Vulnerable Economies
London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
First regional training course on harnessing the potential of the fisheries sector
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Nha Trang, Viet Nam
African Regional Training and Capacity Building Workshop on Fisheries Trade and Development with a focus on Meeting International Standards
Maputo, Mozambique
Asia Regional Training and Capacity Building Workshop on Fisheries Trade and Development with a focus on Meeting International Standards
Yangon, Myanmar
Inter-regional training and capacity building workshop on fisheries trade, management and development in selected Least Developed Countries
Albion, Mauritius
Validation workshop for UNCTAD's fisheries manual and Training fishermen and women in Uganda in sanitary and phytosanitary standards
Entebbe, Uganda
Building the capacities of Myanmar to upgrade and diversify its fish exports to meet international quality and safety standards
Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
Building the capacities of Cambodia to upgrade and diversify its fish exports to meet international quality and safety standards
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Participant at the first regional training course on harnessing the potential of the fisheries sector 
(29 October - 09 November 2018)

Project Code

1415M

Partners

ECA, ESCAP and FAO

Donors

United Nations Development Account (9th Tranche)

Beneficiaries

Cambodia, the Comoros, Mozambique, Myanmar and Uganda

Duration

2014-2017

Budget

$ 596,000

Related

Topic

Least developed countries