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WIPO Assemblies Open

Geneva, September 26, 2005
Press Releases PR/2005/416

The meetings of the Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which bring together WIPO's 183 member states, opened on Monday. The meetings, which run from September 26 to October 5, 2005, will take stock of progress in the Organization's work and discuss future policy directions.

Opening the meeting, WIPO Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, provided an overview of the main items on this year's agenda. While praising the WIPO staff body for its dedication and commitment, Dr. Idris said "with the backing, vision and political commitment of you, our member states, the Organization will continue to hone, refine and improve the intellectual property system, to enable it to perform both efficiently and effectively and to be supple enough to adapt with ingenuity and creativity to the challenges of the future."

Dr. Idris outlined a number of highlights of the Assemblies, including the proposed program and budget for the next biennium, which was endorsed by the Program and Budget Committee earlier this year. Dr. Idris said the proposed budget "builds on this consolidated financial situation. It is a balanced budget, with no deficit, no increase in the level of fees paid by users of WIPO services, and reserves at the level indicated by member states. It also incorporates a number of efficiency targets in various areas." The Director General stressed that the proposed program and budget has in-built flexibilities, both on a program and financial level, noting, "it may accommodate, if need be, additional activities that may be requested by member states in a number of areas."

Dr. Idris said the Organization approaches the end of the 2004-2005 financial biennium "with very positive financial results." He said "thanks to strict budgetary discipline and a number of cost-saving measures, the biennium will close with a level of expenditure matching the level of income. This was accomplished without compromising the priority objectives of the Organization, in particular, assistance to developing countries and countries in transition and without compromising the efficiency of the services provided to users in the private sector."

The Director General said he was pleased with the rapid progress made regarding the recommendations of the Program and Budget Committee in relation to the oversight function in WIPO. "Thanks to the successful deliberations of the Working Group of the Program and Budget Committee in May, June and July of this year, this Assembly has before it proposals to establish a WIPO Audit Committee and also to adopt a WIPO Internal Audit Charter. I personally welcome these two proposals," Dr. Idris said.

In addition, Dr. Idris said he looked forward to a positive outcome for the talks on a development agenda for WIPO. He stressed that "the development dimension of intellectual property has always been, and will continue to be, a main pillar of the Organization's mandate and this has become even more evident today, when there is universal agreement on its importance." He pledged that WIPO will continue to play a crucial role in assisting countries to use the intellectual property system to their advantage, and to leverage it to contribute to achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. "These development activities are thus not confined to enabling developing countries to meet their obligations under multilateral intellectual property instruments to which they are party, but, most important, aim at empowering them with the necessary tools to develop, protect, enforce and exploit intellectual property rights with a view to achieving economic, social and cultural development." He added, "the development goals and aspirations of our member states will continue to form the cornerstone of our initiatives and actions."

The Director General said WIPO continued to enhance its activities with certain countries of Europe and Asia, giving special attention to strengthening regional cooperation. He said the WIPO Worldwide Academy will continue to develop, and pursue its goals, delivering greater demystification, education and human development.

The Director General said the Assemblies will be called upon to make decisions regarding the future work plan of the Standing Committee on Patents, including the long-standing question of the draft Substantive Patent Law Treaty. "I have confidence that your deliberations will enable the forging of a path that will enhance WIPO's role as the key forum for the discussion of questions of patent policy and the development of international approaches to such questions."

Dr. Idris said the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore, has seen further progress in its work, with these Assemblies being asked to endorse a recommendation that its existing mandate be extended to the next biennium, enabling work in this important area to continue to advance.

The Director General said that efforts to enhance the copyright system and its effective use are continuing, noting significant headway in the discussions regarding the updating of the protection of broadcasting organizations. Member states will consider approving the convening of a Diplomatic Conference on the protection of broadcasting organizations to update international intellectual property standards for broadcasting in the information age. Dr. Idris also noted that constructive informal consultations have taken place towards reaching agreement on the main outstanding issue concerning audiovisual performances. "Further progress is still needed and we will continue to make every effort to assist member states in reaching a fair solution," he said.

Dr. Idris said progress in WIPO's work relating to the enforcement of intellectual property rights, noting that the Organization has stepped up its efforts in awareness-raising and in training and education.

The Director General reported an expansion of WIPO's services to the private sector, in particular relating to patents and trademarks. He said the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) continues to experience a steady and healthy expansion of demand. Last year saw an increase in international applications of 6.3 per cent over 2003. This year, international applications are expected to grow at a rate of around 8 per cent.

Dr. Idris said the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks "has seen remarkable growth in the number of international applications and registrations since last year." "Under its increased membership, the Madrid system has become a truly worldwide trademark registration system," he noted. In 2004, applications increased by 23.5 per cent over 2003 and a further 19 per cent growth is projected for 2005. A fee reduction is proposed for applicants from least developed countries, which would help trademark owners from LDCs benefit from the Madrid system.

Dr. Idris thanked the outgoing Chairman of the Assemblies, Ambassador Bernard Kessedjian, who is also France's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. Dr. Idris said Ambassador Kessedjian "steadfastly and adeptly guided us in our work for over two eventful years. I am sure I speak for you all in expressing our gratitude for the great professionalism he brought to that task, the skillful way he handled the evolving debate and his dedication to achieving the best possible outcome."

The Assemblies elected Ambassador Enrique Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva. In assuming the Chairmanship, Ambassador Manalo said that he was committed to facilitating and encouraging constructive dialogue and negotiation and looked forward to fruitful discussions.

In addition, an exhibition spanning 50 years of Italian design featuring items from the prestigious Compasso d'Oro ADI collection will open at WIPO on Monday. The exhibition, "Flair & Function – 50 Years of the ADI Compasso d'Oro Award," has been organized jointly by WIPO and the Italian government and seeks to highlight the importance of design in the commercial success of a product. The exhibition will be opened by Dr. Idris and Mr. Roberto Cota, Italy's Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Productive Activities, in the evening of September 26, 2005.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

  • Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 or (+41 22) 338 95 47;
  • E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int
  • Fax: (+41 22) 338 82 80.
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