Ambassador Al-Otaibi (Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia)

Australia

11 Request for an Extension of the Transitional Period under Article 66.1 for Least Developed Country Members with respect to Pharmaceutical Products and for Waivers from the Obligation of Articles 70.8 and 70.

472. Australia thanks the LDC Group for its proposal and appreciates the deep importance of this issue. We recognise the challenge LDCs face in tackling disease and illness, including in our own region. We welcome discussions had today and yesterday and the ongoing efforts of the LDC Coordinator and Focal Point to engage Members on this issue. 473. While an outcome today may not be possible, we hope we, as a Council, can move efficiently toward an outcome that responds to the unique position of LDC Members while continuing to recognise the role intellectual property can play as a tool for supporting innovation, investment and development.

The Council took note of the statements made and requested the Chairman to consult on the matter before its next meeting in October.

11.1. The Chairman said that this item had been put on the agenda at the written request by the delegation of Bangladesh on behalf of the LDC Group.

11.2. The representatives of Bangladesh on behalf of the LDC Group; Uganda on behalf of the LDC Group; Lesotho on behalf of the Africa Group; South Africa; Nepal; Myanmar; Barbados on behalf of the ACP Group; Cambodia; Tanzania; India; Norway; Mali; Cuba; Brazil; the Republic of Yemen; Argentina; Togo; Canada; China; the United States; Japan; Chinese Taipei; Sierra Leone; Turkey; Haiti; the Democratic Republic of Congo; the European Union; Chile; Uruguay; Rwanda; Switzerland; Australia; the Holy See and the Secretariat of the WHO took the floor.

11.3. The Council took note of the statements made and requested the Chairman to consult on the matter before its next meeting in October.

IP/C/M/79, IP/C/M/79/Add.1