145. The representative of Brazil said that an important item on the Council's agenda was the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the CBD. During the earlier discussions, the Chair had noted that there was general willingness in the Council to have a more focused and structured discussion on the three related agenda items, i.e., the review of the provisions of Article 27.3(b), the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the CBD, and protection of traditional knowledge and folklore. He noted that the Conference of the Parties of the CBD, held in February 2004, had adopted a decision on access and benefit-sharing as related to genetic resources. He believed that it would be beneficial to the Council's discussion on the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the CBD to grant the Secretariat of the CBD observer status. Therefore, he reiterated his delegation's proposal that the Council consider granting the CBD observer status at the Council's forthcoming meeting.
