241. The representative of Bolivia said that traditional knowledge was such an important world resource that Members should actively support international efforts aimed at guaranteeing its protection. His delegation favoured an international system that would preserve and develop the knowledge generated by the indigenous populations and communities. He was concerned about the use of traditional knowledge without authorisation from these populations and communities and about the fair and equitable sharing of benefits to them. In his view, rules established nationally or regionally on this subject were not sufficient and therefore his delegation sought the establishment of a multilateral framework that would ensure effective legal protection and allow the legitimate possessors of this knowledge to exercise effective control over access, use and exploitation, and against reproduction, imitation, transmission and other trade acts related to traditional knowledge, including its expressions and manifestations. He added that the respective rights should be enforced through an effective means of compliance whose standards should not be lower than those already established multilaterally. He said the Council should work jointly with other relevant international fora and bodies.
