H.E. Ambassador Dr Lansana GBERIE

Switzerland

14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND INNOVATION: ROLE OF IP TO RAISE FINANCE FOR START-UPS

537.   We would certainly agree in fact that I think we have seen in this Council and in past Council meetings under this ad hoc agenda item IP and Innovation much interest by Members and we had very rich and useful discussions. I think it does cover a potentially very broad policy area and I think useful information and sharing exercise can be very useful so my delegation would certainly agree to having an agenda item IP and Innovation permanently on the agenda. Let me take this opportunity also to thank all those delegations in fact which have today taken the floor and shared their experience. I think we had a very useful discussion and it demonstrated that IP is in fact not a means in itself, but in fact a means to an end and an important end – I would say – particularly from the prospective of start-ups and MSMEs.

The Council took note of the statements made.

84. The Chair said this item had been put on the agenda at the request of the delegations of Australia, Canada, Chile, the European Union, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. These delegations had also submitted a communication on this topic, circulated in document in order to allow Members to prepare for today's discussion.
85. The representatives of Switzerland; Japan; the United States of America; Australia; Canada; Chinese Taipei; Singapore; the European Union; the United Kingdom; Chile; Hong Kong, China; Uruguay; Mexico; Switzerland; South Africa; India; China; and Indonesia took the floor.
86. The Council took note of the statements made.

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