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

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1. Meeting date

2. Chairperson

H.E. Ambassador Dr Lansana GBERIE

3. Intervention by

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

4. Agenda item

12 TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND CAPACITY-BUILDING

5. Statement/summary of statement

231.   Thank you for the opportunity to share some information on the World Intellectual Property Organization's technical co-operation activities conducted from September 2021 to September 2022 as set out in document IP/C/R/TC/WIPO/3. 232.   WIPO remains committed to providing technical assistance to its member States so that they may progress on their developmental objectives while observing international intellectual property norms. WIPO's technical cooperation activities are needs driven and customized to countries' requirements. The activities also enable WIPO to deliver on its mission to lead the development of a balanced and effective global intellectual property ecosystem to create jobs, attract investments, drive enterprise growth, and ultimately develop economies and societies for a better and more sustainable future. 233.   As set out in our report, WIPO's technical co-operation activities address three broad areas: policy and legislative advice, IP strategy, and IP office business solutions. Over the past year, there has been an increasing focus on enhancing the capacity of SMEs and young innovators to make effective use of IP. This has resulted in initiatives such as online training webinars and expert consultations on IP management and valuation. 234.   The WIPO academy has continued to strengthen its extensive distance learning programs. Notably, the WIPO Academy has broadened the scope of its support to developing and leastdeveloped countries by focusing on building practical IP skills, transforming technical IP knowledge to real-world impact. Through new courses such as IP4Youth&Teachers, as well as programs on IP for start-ups and for app and videogame developers, WIPO aims to equip entrepreneurs, business owners and others with the necessary skills for success. 235.   Ensuring IP continues to be a powerful tool to respond to global challenges remains a priority at WIPO. To support this, WIPO, WTO and WHO launched the Trilateral Technical Assistance Platform earlier this year. The objective of this platform is to help member States address their capacitybuilding needs in order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 236.   I would like to thank the Members who have acknowledged the extensive work done by WIPO in the area of technical cooperation. I would like to assure all members that WIPO remains committed to providing technical cooperation and capacity building programs, which respond to the needs of members as they seek to fulfil their TRIPS obligations.

6. Documents referred to in intervention

7. Conclusion

The Council took note of the statements made and agreed to revert to the matter at its next meeting.

8. Summary of the agenda item (if available)

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.

9. Document symbol and date of distribution

IP/C/M/106, IP/C/M/106/Add.1
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