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

H.E. Ambassador Dr Lansana GBERIE
United States of America
17 ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON
400.   I was actually inspired by Ambassador Pitfield's comments about going off script. We actually have a point for this, but I am going a little bit off of them, unfortunately I was not able to turn around to face you directly but hope this is ok. Ambassador Gberie, I just want to say thank you for your leadership as others have said. I think this has been a very challenging year, especially with MC12 and you helped the Council for TRIPS navigate that through. And to come out with a very successful MC12 despite multiple extensions of days of negotiations, hot mosquito-filled green rooms, you know, Members with a lot of domestic consultations and domestic dynamics to deal with. Your leadership has been greatly appreciated, so thank you. Ambassador Pitfield, congratulations, or condolences, depending on the particular perspective. We look forward to potentially having TRIPS Council karaoke sections like you chaired at MC12 but hopefully with properly licenced public performances of videos and music. But in any case, congratulations and then finally as other have noted, thank you to the Secretariat for your support – often behind the scenes, but still very important.
80. The Council so agreed.
78. The Chair turned to the last agenda item, namely "election of the Chairperson".
79. He noted that the rules of procedure provided that "[t]he election shall take place at the first meeting of the year and shall take effect at the end of the meeting", and that "[t]he Chairperson […] shall hold office until the end of the first meeting of the following year". He recalled that, at its meeting on 6-7 March 2023, the General Council had noted consensus on the Chairpersons for regular and negotiating WTO bodies. On the basis of the understanding reached by the General Council, he proposed that the Council for TRIPS elect H.E. Mrs Pimchanok Pitfield, Ambassador of Thailand, as its chairperson for the coming year.
80. The Council so agreed.
81. The representatives of Thailand; the European Union; Bangladesh; Nepal; the United Kingdom; Tanzania, on behalf of the African Group; Japan; the United States of America; Indonesia; Cambodia; Canada; Kenya; Egypt; Korea, Republic of; Brazil and the Secretariat took the floor.
82. The Chair thanked delegations for their trust and cooperation during his term as TRIPS Council Chair during the past year and expressed his hope that they would also support the efforts of his successor in addressing the items on the Council's agenda. He wished delegations and the new Chair much success in that endeavour.
83. The meeting was closed.

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IP/C/M/107, IP/C/M/107/Add.1