50. The representative of Paraguay noted that the various contributions received showed that a considerable amount of technical assistance had already been extended to developing countries in a period of time that could be called the "pre-TRIPS era". He expressed the hope that this would increase greatly in the years to come, when technical assistance would really be needed. He also wished to highlight the existence of so-called "horizontal" technical cooperation, which had been evolved by WIPO, i.e. cooperation among developing countries including technical assistance on a mutual basis. Brazil, for example, offered courses in the area of industrial property. Such forms of cooperation, which existed in the Latin-American region as well as in Africa, might be explored further. He emphasized the considerable experience of WIPO in providing technical assistance and the universal coverage of the programmes WIPO offered and expressed his appreciation for the information contained in WIPO's submission on its technical cooperation programmes, as contained in document IP/C/W/10. Clearly, technical cooperation should be a joint effort by the WTO and WIPO. The WTO Secretariat's assistance, in particular for delegations here in Geneva, was essential in respect of notification requirements under the Agreement and as regards explanation of the various provisions of the Agreement. As far as technical assistance to officials in capitals was concerned, in particular those working in the field, it was essential that technical assistance was organized between the WTO and WIPO, in order to avoid duplication of efforts and to achieve a coherent form of work for addressing the various areas in order of priority and urgency.
