WIPO Welcomes Australian Donation to Support IP Capacity-Building Projects

Geneva, December 21, 2011
PR/2011/702

WIPO Director General Francis Gurry has welcomed an Australian donation of AUD 2 million for projects to help developing and least developing countries (LDCs) build capacity in the field of intellectual property (IP) and ensure they were in a position to actively participate in the benefits of innovation and the knowledge economy. 

Mr. Gurry thanked the Australian Government for this contribution, noting that “Intellectual property is a key element in reducing the knowledge gap.  WIPO, in line with the objectives of the WIPO Development Agenda, is working closely with developing and least developed countries to help realize their creative potential and facilitate their integration into the global knowledge economy.” 

Australia’s Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Trade Minister Craig Emerson announced the contribution, at the recent ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. The AUD 2 million donation is part of an AUD 16 million contribution announced at the 8^th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference to help developing and least developed countries benefit through global trade.