H.E. Ambassador Lundeg Purevsuren

African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)

9 SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REVIEW UNDER PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE DECISION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT

204.   I intervene on behalf of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) on this agenda item. Firstly, ARIPO associates itself with the statement made by the delegation of Chad on behalf of the LDCs. 205.   This delegation also attended the Workshop on the Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement: Incentives for Technology Transfer, that was held in the past two days and was pleased to see that, thanks to the new format that was introduced last year, capital-based delegations can now narrate the projects that are being undertaken in their respective countries related to technology transfer. 206.   During this workshop it was made clear that for technology transfer to benefit the LDCs and foster innovation it is imperative that it be streamlined with the long-term visions, plans, strategies and developmental programmes adopted by the national governments but also to coordinate efforts with other UN agencies, multilateral organizations, intergovernmental organizations, private sector and civil society active in technology transfer. Therefore, the focus shall be for developed countries to undertake initiatives that are not limited to technical assistance but to promote actions that will effectively enable the transfer of technology and know-how for the benefit of LDCs in Africa in order to develop their absorption and adaptation capabilities with the view to build a viable technological base for development. ARIPO will continue providing support to its member States in this important topic and remains available to partners to any entity that wishes to assist LDCs to benefit from technology transfer and to foster innovation in their respective countries. 207.   Allow me to conclude by expressing ARIPO's appreciation to the Secretariat for organizing this workshop. It is our hope that resources will be made available so that this event can be held on regular basis in the future.

The Council took note of the statements made.

25.   The Chair recalled that, at its meeting in October 2019, the Council had had on its agenda the 17th Annual Review under Paragraph 2 of the Decision on the Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement. At that meeting, delegations had briefly presented the updated reports submitted by developed country Members under Article 66.2. Since that meeting New Zealand had submitted its updated report. All updated reports had been circulated under IP/C/W/656 and addenda. At that meeting, the Council had also agreed that it would revert to the item at the present meeting to permit continued consideration of the submitted material.
26.   In order to give LDC Members more time to absorb the information provided by developed countries in their reports, and to ensure that these reports were available in the official languages of the WTO, the Article 66.2 Workshop had once again taken place back-to-back with the TRIPS Council meeting. This had allowed some of the capital-based delegates who had participated in the Workshop, to participate in the meeting and take part in the discussions under this agenda item.
27.   The LDC Group has circulated a Room document entitled, "Proposed New Template of annual Reporting on Technology Transfer to LDCs". This room document RD/IP/37 was available online on documents for meetings, and as a paper copy at the back of the meeting room. He noted that the English and French texts were both contained in the same document. He invited the Secretariat to report on the Workshop.
28.   A representative of the Secretariat took the floor.
29.   The Chair invited delegations to comment on the materials submitted for the last meeting, as well as to share their experiences from the Article 66.2 Workshop held in the past two days.
30.   The representatives of Chad, on behalf of the LDC Group; Bangladesh; the United Kingdom; Switzerland; the United States of America; Canada; the European Union; Japan; Norway; Vanuatu; Australia; and the African Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) took the floor.
31.   The Council took note of the statements made.

IP/C/M/94, IP/C/M/94/Add.1