Joint FAO/IMO/ILO Working Group on IUU Fishing and Related Matters in 1999, the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development brought international attention to the pressing issues surrounding flag State and port State responsibilities, particularly in the context of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Recognising the complex and cross-sectoral nature of these challenges, the Commission underscored the need for collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Responding to a mandate from the United Nations General Assembly, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO agreed to collaborate with the FAO. As a result, the Joint FAO/IMO Ad Hoc Working Group on IUU Fishing and Related Matters (JWG) was formally established in October 2000.

This group was further strengthened in 2019, when the International Labour Organization (ILO) officially joined the Working Group, marking a significant step in enhancing its tripartite inter-agency mandate.

The JWG serves as a critical mechanism for coordinated action among the three organizations. One of its most notable early achievements was laying the groundwork for the Cape Town Agreement during its second session. The Working Group brings together representatives from national administrations responsible for fisheries and maritime transport, alongside employers' and workers' organisations. This inclusive representation enables the development of comprehensive and practical solutions to address IUU fishing, port State controls, and associated safety, labour, and environmental challenges.

The JWG is uniquely positioned to promote the harmonized implementation of instruments adopted by FAO, IMO, and ILO. This includes fostering enhanced cooperation between port State control regimes and regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) to improve enforcement mechanisms and compliance standards.

The sessions of the JWG have been held as follows:

• First Session: 9-11 October 2000, Rome, Italy
• Second Session: 16-18 July 2007, Rome, Italy
• Third Session: 16-18 November 2015, London, United Kingdom
• Fourth Session: 21-23 October 2019, Torremolinos, Spain

The JWG continues to be an instrumental platform for advancing integrated, cross-sectoral approaches to maritime governance and fisheries management.