H.E. Ambassador Dr Lansana GBERIE

Singapore

12 PARAGRAPH 8 OF THE MINISTERIAL DECISION ON THE TRIPS AGREEMENT ADOPTED ON 17 JUNE 2022

277.   Given that the deadline extension was unavoidable, we must use the additional time we have been granted in a pragmatic and productive manner. It is imperative that we take a fact-based approach in our discussions here. In this regard, Singapore believes that the papers tabled by Chinese Taipei and Switzerland and Mexico serve as useful bases for discussions, and we look forward to engaging on the questions posed in these papers. 278.   We must also adopt a holistic approach and take into account the complex mix of factors that affects access to diagnostics and therapeutics. In addition to supply chains bottlenecks, such as export restrictions and other key barriers, including regulatory bottlenecks, lack of demand forecasting and simply a low demand for COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. We must also consider these multifaceted challenges in order to achieve our shared objective of improving access to diagnostics and therapeutics. Lastly while we consider the extension of the TRIPS Decision, we must preserve incentives for innovation, which enable pharmaceutical companies to respond quickly to the current pandemic and to future pandemics.

60. The Council so agreed.

56. The Chair recalled that under paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement, adopted on 17 June 2022, Members had agreed to make a decision within six months from adoption, on whether to extend this Decision to cover the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. He also recalled that at the last formal meeting in October – and resumed in December – the Council had recommended to the General Council to extend the deadline for such a decision. The General Council, at its meeting on 19 December 2022, had agreed to this recommendation and resolved to return to the question of the duration of the extension at its next meeting. At its recent meeting on 6-7 March 2023, the General Council had agreed that it would keep the question of the duration of the extension on its agenda again for its next meeting – and that Members would provide updates on where they stand on their internal processes. In the meantime, substantive discussions would continue in the Council for TRIPS. It was against this background, that the item was on the Council's agenda.
57. The representatives of Tanzania, on behalf of the African Group; South Africa; Bangladesh, on behalf of the LDC Group; Nepal; Egypt; Kenya, on behalf of the ACP Group; Indonesia; China; India; the United States of America; Brazil; Switzerland; Japan; the United Kingdom; Chinese Taipei; the European Union; Korea, Republic of; Singapore; and Norway took the floor.
58. With respect to next steps, the Chair said that in his experience, Council discussions were most constructive when they were well prepared and took place on the basis of submissions and proposals that Members had been able to study in advance. The 10-day rule for the closing of the Airgram was intended precisely for that purpose, namely, to allow Members to prepare for the items on the agenda, so that discussions at the Council meeting were constructive and focused. The next formal meeting of the Council was scheduled for 14-15 June – and the agenda for that meeting would close on 1 June.
59. Given that his term as Chair ended with the current meeting, he suggested that the new Chair be invited to consult with Members on how best to move forward with work under this agenda item.
60. The Council so agreed.

IP/C/M/107, IP/C/M/107/Add.1