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

Ambassador Federico A. González (Paraguay) (24-25 October) and Mr. Martin Glass (Hong Kong, China) (17 November)
K NINTH ANNUAL REVIEW UNDER PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE DECISION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT
298. The representative of Australia reaffirmed her country's commitment to assisting least developed Members in the area of technology transfer pursuant to the Council's Decision on the implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement. She welcomed the holding of workshops on that issue, in which Australia had participated since their inception in October 2008, including the most recent meeting held the previous week. The workshops provided a useful forum for an exchange of views to enhance understanding on both sides on the preparation and reading of the reports. 299. Australia had submitted an updated report for 2011 providing examples of development assistance over the preceding year which might have a technology transfer component. In Australia's report, technology transfer was understood to include training, education and knowledge. Australia recognized that technology transfer was best fostered in an open and market-based economy and fundamental to that requirement was good governance. Australia provided extensive governance capacity building and technical assistance to least developed countries. Australia considered that education of LDC nationals and their training in the use and management of technological equipment constituted two of the most effective means for the transfer of technology and knowledge. A significant proportion of Australia's assistance was directed at providing education and training. In Australia's updated report the total value of Australian assistance to least developed countries in 2010 2011 was approximately $A860 million.
IP/C/M/67