H.E. Ambassador Dr. Lansana GBERIE

China

14 OBSERVER STATUS FOR INTERNATIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

298.   We would like to repeat our position on this issue. The relationship between TRIPS and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an important issue in the TRIPS Council. Inviting the CBD Secretariat as an observer to the TRIPS Council will update the CBD Secretariat on the discussion and developments in the Council, and correspondingly help WTO Members better understand the principles, requirements and work of the CBD. We believe that the mutual support and deep communication between the CBD secretariat and the WTO will contribute to our discussion at the TRIPS Council. 299.   Again, with regard to the South Centre, its role in serving the progress and development of developing Members has been widely recognized, and it has carried out numerous research in the fields of intellectual property, technology transfer and knowledge accessibility, which has enhanced developing Members' understanding and application of the TRIPS Agreement. 300.   Therefore, China would like to reiterate our support for granting the CBD Secretariat and the South Centre observer status, at least on an ad hoc basis.

It was so agreed.

68. The Chair recalled that the updated list of pending requests for observer status in the TRIPS Council by intergovernmental organizations was contained in document and that information provided by the relevant intergovernmental organizations concerned had been available on the Members' website.
69. The representatives of China; Bangladesh; Indonesia; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of; the United States; Egypt; Tanzania and South Africa took the floor.
70. The Council took note of the statements made and agreed to revert to the matter at its next meeting.
71. The Chair recalled that in November 2012, the Council agreed to grant ad hoc observer status on a meeting-to-meeting basis to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and since then, this invitation had been renewed at each meeting. He suggested that the EFTA be once again invited to attend the Council's next formal meeting as an observer on an ad hoc basis.
72. It was so agreed.

IP/C/M/105, IP/C/M/105/Add.1, IP/C/M/105/Corr.1