483. I apologise for taking the floor on the same subject, but, as stated by Rwanda, I believe it would be beneficial to the discussion to draw a clear distinction between the two TRIPS extensions currently in force related to obligations from LDCs.
484. The general transition period, extended in 2013, was based on administrative, financial and economic limitations faced by LDC capacities. Against this background, WTO Members decided to grant extended flexibility so LDCs could build their national IP systems without international constraints until 2021.
485. Regarding the extension related to pharmaceutical products, a very specific situation on the ground was the reason of existence of this extension. In 2002, in the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health, all WTO Members agreed that the reason of existence of this specific extension was "the gravity of the public health problems afflicting many developing and least-developed countries, especially those resulting from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other epidemics". We understand that this background should guide our discussions.
