Liberia achieves FiTI Implementing Country status
The FiTI International Board has just announced in a statement that Liberia has been approved as a FiTI Implemeting Country, demonstrating the significant steps that the country’s national authorities have taken to establish an enabling environment for fisheries transparency and stakeholder collaboration.
This significant milestone was achieved only 13 months after the country’s public commitment to join the FiTI.
The International Board expressed its satisfaction, in particular, with the content of the application, which not only demonstrated compliance with all the steps required by the FiTI Standard (Section C), but also showed that the entire process was conducted within the agreed timelines and in a professional, participatory, and inclusive manner.
The completion of this important milestone lays the foundations for Liberia to begin benefiting from a transparent and inclusive fishing sector by demonstrating adherence to the FiTI Standard’s transparency requirements.
The next key step in the FiTI process is the publication of the country’s first FiTI Report, in accordance with section D.1 of the FiTI Standard. For this, Liberia’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group – in collaboration with the FiTI International Secretariat – must publish the report within one year of becoming a FiTI Implementing Country, i.e. by August 2027 (containing information relating to the 2026 calendar year). Afterwards, subsequent FiTI Reports must be published on an annual basis, until Liberia reaches the status of Compliance Eligibility (in accordance with section H.1 of the FiTI Standard).
The International Board extends its congratulations to the leadership team of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Liberia’s National Focal Point – Mr. Austin Saye Wehye – as well as the members of Liberia’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), and all those who have been involved in this process. The International Board is confident that the decision to join and implement the FiTI will strengthen the measures Liberia is already undertaking to improve the management of its marine fisheries resources.
Information regarding the official acceptance letter of Liberia as a FiTI Implementing Country and the country’s application can be found here.
Source : FiTI
