80. The representative of Colombia said that Members shared the objectives of preventing misappropriation of genetic resources and erroneously granted patents, of ensuring that inventors using genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge complied with the conditions of use and benefit sharing, and enabling patent offices to have access to sufficient information to make decision on the granting of patents. He said that Colombia, together with other Members with a wealth of biological resources, had submitted a fair number of cases in support of the proposal of amending the TRIPS Agreement to include the requirement of disclosure of origin of genetic material and/or associated traditional knowledge, as contained in documents IP/C/W/474 and TN/C/W/52. He appreciated the Director General's consultative process and was anxiously awaiting the result, which needed to be consistent with the development dimension, the CBD objectives, and the objectives and principles set forth in Articles 7 and 8 of the TRIPS Agreement. He said that the consultations needed to be increasingly inclusive and transparent. Members should take constructive steps to find solutions in various international forums, including the WTO, and that the solutions should be complementary and mutually supportive to each other. He highlighted the importance of protection of traditional knowledge and folklore, saying that discussion of this subject should take into account the interest of indigenous peoples and local communities.
