1 February 2021. The 34th Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries opened via videoconference. Russia is represented by an interdepartmental delegation headed by the Permanent Representative to FAO and other UN Agencies in Rome Victor L. Vasiliev.

Addressing the session participants, FAO Director General Qu Dongyu (China) emphasized the growing importance of fisheries and aquaculture in providing nutritious and healthy diet for the world's population. He recognized a threat to the conservation, reproduction and biodiversity of fish and other aquatic biological resources, that comes from of climate change and the growing anthropogenic load on the environment. In this regard, the UN Official urged the international community to further coordinate efforts to achieve a sustainable and rational model of its use, including strengthening the relevant international regulatory framework and regional interaction.

In turn, Victor L. Vasiliev highlighted the contribution of our country to international efforts for the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture, and noted the tasks of providing the population of Russia with fish products aligned with the Food Security Doctrine approved by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in 2020. He also informed about Russia's ratification (in December 2020) of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing of 2009. He also spoke about the priorities of the Russian presidency of the Arctic Council, starting in May 2021, with an emphasis on further strengthening the policy of sustainable development of the region, including the preservation of biological diversity, the study of the marine environment and the provision of decent conditions for the population of the Arctic region.

During a high-lev el special event held on the same day to mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Code for Responsible Fisheries, the Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture was adopted by consensus.

The session of the Committee will last until 5th of February.