Minutes - TRIPS Council - View details of the intervention/statement

Ambassador Choi Hyuck (Korea)
J TRANSITION PERIOD FOR LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; REQUEST FOR EXTENSION
272. The representative of Switzerland made only preliminary remarks, given that he had received the request only recently. While being favourable and sympathetic towards requests under Article 66.1, he said it was important that the Council ensure structured and coherent procedures under that Article. The language and spirit of Article 66.1 suggested that an extension should be granted on the basis of information about the state of play in an individual LDC Member and should take into account the specific needs and situation of that Member. Such information, forming a duly motivated request, would serve as an important source of information and orientation for the other Members and the WTO Secretariat in efforts to provide the LDC Member in question during its extended transitional period with technical assistance and support which focused on its specific needs, so that desired progress by the end of that period could be achieved. In this context, it should be borne in mind that a functioning IPR system was conducive to the development of a national economy and an important condition for providing incentives for technology transfer. There was a need for more time and work on the necessary modalities and procedures under Article 66.1. The Council should be in a position to properly evaluate requests made under it. The Council should also take into account how similar requests were handled by other WTO bodies, including in the Council for Trade in Goods.
IP/C/M/49