WIPO Launches New Voluntary Fund to Boost Participation of Indigenous and Local Communities in its Work

Geneva, September 29, 2005
Press Releases PR/2005/422

The General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has agreed to establish a Voluntary Fund for Indigenous and Local Communities. This Fund will directly support the participation of representatives of these communities in the work of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC). The voice and experience of indigenous and local communities have been a vital contribution to the IGC's work. This latest outcome follows past steps to promote the participation of indigenous and local communities in WIPO's work, and is expected to strengthen their role further. The lack of a specific funding mechanism has been a key concern of indigenous and local community representatives in past IGC sessions.

Beneficiaries from the fund will be members of indigenous or local communities, or other representatives of customary holders or custodians of traditional knowledge or traditional cultural expressions. They are to be selected from already accredited IGC observers by an Advisory Board appointed from WIPO member states and indigenous observers. The Voluntary Fund will be devoted entirely to funding their travel and living expenses to enable them to take part in the sessions of the IGC held in Geneva and other related activities. Immediate steps will be taken to put the Fund into operation and to call for voluntary contributions so that it is available to provide practical support as soon as possible.

This new step builds on past encouragement by the WIPO General Assembly of the participation of indigenous and local communities in WIPO's work in the area of TK, TCEs and genetic resources. The IGC itself has taken a series of steps to enhance the role of these communities in its work. Over 120 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are now especially accredited to the IGC as observers, many representing indigenous and local communities or other custodians of TK and TCEs. A practice has also developed of including representatives of indigenous and local communities on national delegations, with the encouragement of the General Assembly and the IGC. Each IGC session now commences with a panel, chaired by an indigenous representative, that focuses directly on the needs and expectations of these communities concerning protection of their TK and TCEs. The positions of IGC observers are also disseminated through a dedicated website.

Accredited indigenous and local communities have contributed directly to the development of the IGC's working documents, including through a recent commentary process which progressed draft objectives and principles intended to guide and shape the protection of TK and TCEs against misappropriation and misuse. This work has been reinforced further by case studies on the protection of TCEs and TK, including the ‘Minding Culture' series authored by indigenous lawyer Terri Janke.

For further information please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at (+ 41 22) 338 81 61, 338 95 47 Fax: (+41 22) 338 82 80, E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int.