40. Some Members provided information on their own technical cooperation programmes. The representative of the European Communities explained that the European Communities had pursued technical assistance on intellectual property matters for many years and that they were one of the biggest providers of such assistance. The funds made available for such assistance had increased more than their budgets in general, and further increases might be possible given the importance they attached to intellectual property. The representative of Japan explained that Japan was one of the most active countries in providing technical assistance and that it was going to expand its cooperation programmes so as to meet the increasing demand from those developing countries which were implementing or preparing to implement the TRIPS Agreement. He believed that it was important for the WTO Secretariat to survey and provide information on technical cooperation activities, in order to facilitate carrying out cooperation programmes in the most adequate and effective manner. The representative of Norway explained that her country was interested in establishing a sound and balanced cooperation with developing countries under the TRIPS Agreement. Her Government was aware of the commitment of the WTO to provide special attention to the least-developed countries in establishing a detailed work programme tailored to their needs and requirements, and of the pressing needs of the least-developed countries, including the need for technical assistance in helping to build up their human and institutional resources and expertise. This was necessary if these countries were to be better integrated in the international trading system and, in particular, to draw full benefits from it and to be in position to meet their obligations under the WTO Agreements. She said that Norway had made a contribution of US$2.5 million to create a WTO technical assistance fund for the benefit of the least-developed countries in the said areas. These funds were to cover activities to be conducted within a three-year implementation period. Under the project proposal, the TRIPS Agreement was identified as one relevant area in the following way: one seminar to be held in Geneva on TRIPS matters for intellectual property officials from least-developed countries to get these countries acquainted with the basic concepts, principles and obligations laid down in the Agreement. In view of the transition periods foreseen in the TRIPS Agreement for least developed countries, the opportunity for holding such a seminar should be seized at the earliest stage possible, so as to provide sufficient time to adapt or introduce appropriate legislation. The representative of Australia recognized the need to promote technical assistance in the area of intellectual property and the TRIPS Agreement, in particular on mutually agreed terms. She explained that Australia's activities had been recently documented in document IP/C/W/12/Add.7 and that Australia would continue to be active in this area.
