195. With respect to the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada continues to believe that TRIPS and the CBD are complementary, and that there is therefore no need to amend the TRIPS Agreement in this regard.
196. On the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore, Canada welcomes the ongoing work of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC). In particular, the IGC has served, and continues to serve, as an important venue that brings together the necessary technical expertise and views, to identify evidence-based, balanced, and mutually beneficial approaches to these issues.
197. Canada has been an active and committed participant in the work of the IGC, and welcomes the concrete discussions and exchanges of national experiences in that venue, which remain key to considering the issues at hand.
198. Furthermore, Canada regrets the postponement of substantive discussions at the IGC and looks forward to the prompt resumption of the IGC's important work in a mutually agreeable manner.