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

H.E. Ambassador Dr Lansana GBERIE
12 TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND CAPACITY-BUILDING

193.   Our 2022 report document IP/C/R/TC/CHE/3 describes Switzerland's technical cooperation and capacity building activities. Switzerland is pleased to announce that it is currently partner to 12 technical cooperation bilateral projects across different regions in the field of IP. Whereas the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs is the main funder of the majority of projects through its Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR) set up in 2018, the Swiss Federal IP Institute implements the GPIPR. 194.   Let me please recall that the GPIPR supports developing and least developed countries, as well as emerging economies, in developing an efficient and effective system for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This aims to promote economic developments, and assist our partners in the implementation of their rights and obligations under the TRIPS Agreement. Two examples of specific projects are described in a more detailed manner in our report of this year. 195.   One project is the Swiss – South African IP Project, which began in 2020. Among the activities that have already been carried out, there have been workshops for patent examiners and collecting societies, and a report on the use of compulsory licenses in Switzerland for South African policymakers was published. Another report on considerations relevant for the development of a GI strategy is underway. 196.   The other project, which has started this year, is the Tunisian – Swiss IP Project. Its objective is to contribute to entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Tunisia benefitting from effective IP protection. For instance, the review of the laws relating to IP rights is one of the paths used to achieve the project's objective. 197.   Switzerland continues its efforts to be a reliable partner in delivering technical assistance in the field of IP and to contribute through its technical cooperation projects, among others, to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Council took note of the statements made and agreed to revert to the matter at its next meeting.
53. The Chair recalled that in July 2022, the Council had agreed to hold the annual review of technical cooperation at the present meeting.
54. Developed country Members had been requested to update information on their technical and financial cooperation activities relevant to the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement. Other Members who also made available technical cooperation were encouraged to share information on these activities. The Secretariat had issued an Airgram on 11 July 2022 reminding developed country Members of this request. Intergovernmental organizations observers to the Council and the WTO Secretariat had also been invited to provide information.
55. The Council had received information from the following developed country Members: Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Since the circulation of the revised draft agenda the European Union has also submitted information in this regard. These reports are being circulated under the new dedicated document series with the symbol where "R" stands for "Reports" and "TC" stands for "Technical Cooperation".
56. Intergovernmental organizations had also submitted updated information: the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Since the circulation of the revised draft agenda, had also submitted information in this regard. Their reports were being circulated in the same document series .
57. The report of the WTO Secretariat on technical cooperation activities in the TRIPS area was available in document .
58. The representatives of the European Union; the United Kingdom; the United States of America; Australia; Switzerland; Canada; New Zealand; Japan; Bangladesh, on behalf of the LDC Group; the WTO Secretariat; the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); and the World Health Organization (WHO) took the floor.
59. The Chair noted that most of the valuable information provided by Members and IGO observers had been received only very recently. He would provide delegations an opportunity at the next regular meeting to make further comments on the information submitted.
60. The Council took note of the statements made and agreed to revert to the matter at its next meeting.
IP/C/M/106, IP/C/M/106/Add.1