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MOF-UN FAO Joint Hosting of Event Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Entry into Force of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) in Jeju
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2026.06.04.
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MOF-UN FAO Joint Hosting of Event Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Entry into Force of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) in Jeju
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister: Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced that it would be holding a ceremony in Jeju on Friday, June 5 jointly with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to commemorate the 10th anniversary of entry into force of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a key international agreement aimed at eradicating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. More than 120 people including representatives from the agreement-signing countries and international organizations, diplomats in Korea, and experts are expected to attend the event.
Entered into force in 2016 as the first binding international agreement of its kind, PSMA prevents IUU fishing vessels from using ports and landing illegal catches. Since ratifying the Agreement in 2016, Korea has implemented port state measures including pre-arrival information verification, port inspections, and port-use controls for foreign fishing vessels pursuant to the Distant Water Fisheries Development Act.
This event was organized to review the achievements of the past 10 years since PSMA came into effect and to discuss international cooperation measures to eradicate IUU fishing over the next 10 years. At the event, government representatives and ambassadors from the major parties to the agreement are set to announce their commitment to implementing it and outline directions for cooperation. This is expected to serve as an opportunity to reaffirm PSMA's role as a key international tool for promoting sustainable fisheries and safeguarding maritime order.
In particular, Korea is set to receive a Plaque of Recognition in the name of the PSMA Chair in acknowledgment of its contributions to the implementation of PSMA and to capacity building for developing countries. This is highly significant because the international community regards Korea as a country that has made substantial contributions to combating IUU fishing and expanding the implementation of PSMA.
As the core of the event, the Jeju Declaration is a joint declaration that sets forth the direction for implementation over the next 10 years following the 10th anniversary of PSMA’s entry into force. The Declaration is expected to stipulate expanding participation in the PSMA, strengthening information sharing through the Global Information Exchange System (GIES), supporting capacity building for developing countries to implement PSMA, and expanding cooperation with international organizations and regional fisheries management organizations.
This Jeju Declaration serves as a milestone outlining the future direction of international cooperation for the implementation of PSMA, and this message is seen to continue developing in international discussions such as the 4th UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) to be hosted jointly by Korea and Chile in 2028. MOF plans to use the Jeju Declaration as an opportunity to advance the eradication of IUU fishing, sustainable fisheries, and port-state cooperation on the international ocean agenda.
An expert forum will also be held in the afternoon as a side event. The forum will discuss projects to strengthen PSMA's implementation capacity in developing countries through Korea's Official Development Assistance (ODA), the advancement of the Global Information Exchange System (GIES), the sharing of port search information, and the response systems for suspected illegal vessels.
Furthermore, the 6th PSMA Technical Working Group on Information Exchange (TWG-IE) meeting will be held in conjunction with the event at the KAL Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju from Monday, June 8 to Friday, June 12. Scheduled at this meeting are specific technical discussions on implementing the agreement including information-sharing linkage between countries, sharing of port search results, and methods for using information on vessels suspected of illegal activity.
“Since there are no borders in the ocean, close solidarity within the international community is essential to eradicate illegal fishing. With the Jeju Declaration as an opportunity, Korea will spearhead international cooperation as a model country in implementing PSMA and take the lead in eradicating illegal fishing and establishing a sustainable marine fisheries order together with the international community,” Minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo said.
□ Overview
o (Organizer) UN FAO and MOF
o 10:00–15:00 (KST), Friday, June 5, 2026 / ICC International Convention Center, Seogwipo, Jeju
o (Attendees) More than 120 people, including Foreign Ambassadors in Korea* and representatives from 42 signing countries
*EU, Canada, Germany, Norway, Chile, etc.
□ Background
o (Sharing achievements) On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of PSMA's enforcement in 2026, the Jeju Declaration—which reviews the implementation achievements to date and outlines future directions for implementation cooperation—will be adopted and announced.
* Composed of five articles covering the reaffirmation of PSMA status and joint implementation, capacity building for developing countries, and promotion of information exchange
o (Strengthening status) Strengthening Korea's international standing as a leading nation in eradicating IUU fishing, and linking the hosting achievements to the 2028 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC)
□ Proposed Schedule
□ Significance
o To review the status and achievements of PSMA over the past decade in preventing IUU fishing, and present a vision for the expansion and enhanced implementation of PSMA over the next ten years
□ Description
1. Universalization of PSMA as a core control treaty
o The universalization of PSMA, driven by broad participation from coastal States, serves as the key to eradicating IUU fishing through effective implementation, information sharing, and enhanced cooperation among States Parties.
2. Information exchange as the basis for effective implementation
o Timely and reliable information exchange is central to PSMA implementation, serving as an authoritative basis for cooperation and decision making among States Parties.
o Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the use of information tools such as GIES and expand cooperation with regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and other international organizations.
3. Strengthening implementation capacity in developing countries
o Strengthening the legal, institutional, and operational capabilities of the State Parties—especially developing countries—is very important for the effective implementation of PSMA, and it requires pursuing continuous cooperation for this purpose as a top priority.
4. PSMA's broader contribution
o The implementation of PSMA significantly contributes not only to the eradication of IUU fishing but also to fair and transparent trade, strengthening of fisheries governance, and long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources.
o Effective port control contributes to addressing a wide range of issues including labor conditions, human rights protection, maritime safety, and biodiversity conservation.
5. A Joint Commitment for the Next 10 Years
o States Parties should not rest on the achievements of the past ten years but must join efforts to enhance implementation through cooperation, practical measures, and sharing of responsibilities in order to deliver results over the next ten years.
o All stakeholders should be encouraged to support implementation continuously according to their respective capacities, with particular attention to the needs of developing countries.
o States Parties believe that the 10th anniversary of PSMA enforcement serves as an opportunity to raise political attention continuously and to facilitate follow-up actions in the relevant international forums to support the effective and inclusive implementation of the Agreement.
- Adoption of Jeju Declaration to present the direction for the Agreement's implementation over the next 10 years
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister: Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced that it would be holding a ceremony in Jeju on Friday, June 5 jointly with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to commemorate the 10th anniversary of entry into force of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a key international agreement aimed at eradicating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. More than 120 people including representatives from the agreement-signing countries and international organizations, diplomats in Korea, and experts are expected to attend the event.
Entered into force in 2016 as the first binding international agreement of its kind, PSMA prevents IUU fishing vessels from using ports and landing illegal catches. Since ratifying the Agreement in 2016, Korea has implemented port state measures including pre-arrival information verification, port inspections, and port-use controls for foreign fishing vessels pursuant to the Distant Water Fisheries Development Act.
This event was organized to review the achievements of the past 10 years since PSMA came into effect and to discuss international cooperation measures to eradicate IUU fishing over the next 10 years. At the event, government representatives and ambassadors from the major parties to the agreement are set to announce their commitment to implementing it and outline directions for cooperation. This is expected to serve as an opportunity to reaffirm PSMA's role as a key international tool for promoting sustainable fisheries and safeguarding maritime order.
In particular, Korea is set to receive a Plaque of Recognition in the name of the PSMA Chair in acknowledgment of its contributions to the implementation of PSMA and to capacity building for developing countries. This is highly significant because the international community regards Korea as a country that has made substantial contributions to combating IUU fishing and expanding the implementation of PSMA.
As the core of the event, the Jeju Declaration is a joint declaration that sets forth the direction for implementation over the next 10 years following the 10th anniversary of PSMA’s entry into force. The Declaration is expected to stipulate expanding participation in the PSMA, strengthening information sharing through the Global Information Exchange System (GIES), supporting capacity building for developing countries to implement PSMA, and expanding cooperation with international organizations and regional fisheries management organizations.
This Jeju Declaration serves as a milestone outlining the future direction of international cooperation for the implementation of PSMA, and this message is seen to continue developing in international discussions such as the 4th UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) to be hosted jointly by Korea and Chile in 2028. MOF plans to use the Jeju Declaration as an opportunity to advance the eradication of IUU fishing, sustainable fisheries, and port-state cooperation on the international ocean agenda.
An expert forum will also be held in the afternoon as a side event. The forum will discuss projects to strengthen PSMA's implementation capacity in developing countries through Korea's Official Development Assistance (ODA), the advancement of the Global Information Exchange System (GIES), the sharing of port search information, and the response systems for suspected illegal vessels.
Furthermore, the 6th PSMA Technical Working Group on Information Exchange (TWG-IE) meeting will be held in conjunction with the event at the KAL Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju from Monday, June 8 to Friday, June 12. Scheduled at this meeting are specific technical discussions on implementing the agreement including information-sharing linkage between countries, sharing of port search results, and methods for using information on vessels suspected of illegal activity.
“Since there are no borders in the ocean, close solidarity within the international community is essential to eradicate illegal fishing. With the Jeju Declaration as an opportunity, Korea will spearhead international cooperation as a model country in implementing PSMA and take the lead in eradicating illegal fishing and establishing a sustainable marine fisheries order together with the international community,” Minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo said.
| Reference 1 | Overview of the 10th-Anniversary Event for PSMA’s Entry into Force |
□ Overview
o (Organizer) UN FAO and MOF
o 10:00–15:00 (KST), Friday, June 5, 2026 / ICC International Convention Center, Seogwipo, Jeju
o (Attendees) More than 120 people, including Foreign Ambassadors in Korea* and representatives from 42 signing countries
*EU, Canada, Germany, Norway, Chile, etc.
□ Background
o (Sharing achievements) On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of PSMA's enforcement in 2026, the Jeju Declaration—which reviews the implementation achievements to date and outlines future directions for implementation cooperation—will be adopted and announced.
* Composed of five articles covering the reaffirmation of PSMA status and joint implementation, capacity building for developing countries, and promotion of information exchange
o (Strengthening status) Strengthening Korea's international standing as a leading nation in eradicating IUU fishing, and linking the hosting achievements to the 2028 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC)
□ Proposed Schedule
| Time (KST) | Details | Remarks |
| 09:50 - 10:00 | · Participant registration and pre-meeting | |
| 10:00 - 10:25 | · Opening declaration · Opening address · Welcome address · Performance report (PSMA 10th-Anniversary Achievements) |
· Director of FAO Korea Liaison Office · Minister of MOF · FAO PSMA Team Leader |
| 10:25 - 10:30 | · Commemorative photo taking | |
| 10:30 - 11:10 | · High-level panel announcement (Announcement of implementation results by country) | · Six countries including Korea (Director General of Fisheries Policy, MOF) |
| 11:10 - 11:15 | · Room setup | |
| 11:15 - 11:45 | · Presentation of plaques of appreciation and proclamation of the Jeju Declaration | · PSMA Vice Chair |
| 11:45 - 13:00 | · Luncheon | |
| 13:00 - 15:00 | · Side events (Expert Forum) | · GIES Discussion |
| Reference 2 | Key Contents of the Jeju Declaration |
□ Significance
o To review the status and achievements of PSMA over the past decade in preventing IUU fishing, and present a vision for the expansion and enhanced implementation of PSMA over the next ten years
□ Description
1. Universalization of PSMA as a core control treaty
o The universalization of PSMA, driven by broad participation from coastal States, serves as the key to eradicating IUU fishing through effective implementation, information sharing, and enhanced cooperation among States Parties.
2. Information exchange as the basis for effective implementation
o Timely and reliable information exchange is central to PSMA implementation, serving as an authoritative basis for cooperation and decision making among States Parties.
o Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the use of information tools such as GIES and expand cooperation with regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and other international organizations.
3. Strengthening implementation capacity in developing countries
o Strengthening the legal, institutional, and operational capabilities of the State Parties—especially developing countries—is very important for the effective implementation of PSMA, and it requires pursuing continuous cooperation for this purpose as a top priority.
4. PSMA's broader contribution
o The implementation of PSMA significantly contributes not only to the eradication of IUU fishing but also to fair and transparent trade, strengthening of fisheries governance, and long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources.
o Effective port control contributes to addressing a wide range of issues including labor conditions, human rights protection, maritime safety, and biodiversity conservation.
5. A Joint Commitment for the Next 10 Years
o States Parties should not rest on the achievements of the past ten years but must join efforts to enhance implementation through cooperation, practical measures, and sharing of responsibilities in order to deliver results over the next ten years.
o All stakeholders should be encouraged to support implementation continuously according to their respective capacities, with particular attention to the needs of developing countries.
o States Parties believe that the 10th anniversary of PSMA enforcement serves as an opportunity to raise political attention continuously and to facilitate follow-up actions in the relevant international forums to support the effective and inclusive implementation of the Agreement.
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