37. The Chairperson reported to the Council on the discussion that Members had had during informal consultations that had taken place on this matter and which had focused on the procedural aspects of the work under the built-in agenda. It had been agreed that the record of that discussion would be incorporated into the minutes of this meeting3. In his report, the Chairperson emphasized that all delegations which had taken the floor had expressed a readiness to actively participate in pursuing the built-in agenda both as regards the negotiations leading to the establishment of a multilateral system for the notification and registration of geographical indications as well as the review provided for under Article 24.2. As regards the notification and registration system, work on the negotiations was under way. The European Communities would be tabling a new proposal in the near future, which would provide a new and needed impetus to the work on Article 23.4. Work under Article 24.2 was also under way. Delegations were awaiting the summary paper from the Secretariat, which would, in a more systematic manner, set out the different responses to the Checklist (IP/C/13 and Add.1) which the Council had received from Members. As a result of the Decision taken by the General Council on 7 and 8 February 2000, the review under Article 24.2 must also address the trade and development impact on developing countries. Switzerland had announced that it would table a paper in the near future addressing the issue of the diversity of systems existing for the protection of geographical indications. There had been no consensus on the approach to be taken to the issue of the extension of the scope of protection under Article 23 to other product areas and the Council's mandate in this connection. The Chairman would hold informal consultations before the Council's next meeting on the methodology for carrying forward the work on geographical indications.
