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IIM Discusses Proposals on a Development Agenda

Geneva, June 24, 2005
Press Updates UPD/2005/253

The second session of the Inter-Sessional Intergovernmental Meeting (IIM) on a Development Agenda for WIPO, held from June 20 to 22, 2005, initiated discussions on a list of proposals identified by member states and decided to continue consideration of these proposals in the next session of the IIM (please see Summary of the Chair below).

At the opening of the session, two new proposals were presented by Bahrain (co-sponsored by Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) (document IIM/2/2, https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/iim_2/iim_2_2.doc) relating to the Importance of Intellectual Property in Social and Economic Development and National Development Programs, and by the United Kingdom relating to Intellectual Property and Development (document IIM/2/3, https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/iim_2/iim_2_3.doc).

These proposals are in addition to previous ones submitted to the first session of the IIM in April by the United States of America (entitled "Establishment of a Partnership Program in WIPO", https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/iim_1/iim_1_2.doc), Mexico (entitled "Intellectual Property and Development", https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/iim_1/iim_1_3.doc), Brazil (co-sponsored by Argentina, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Iran, Kenya, Peru, Sierra Leone, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, and Venezuela) (entitled "Proposal to Establish a Development Agenda for WIPO: An elaboration of issues Raised in Document WO/GA/31/11", https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/iim_1/iim_1_4.doc), and the United Kingdom (entitled "IP and Development, Observations from the United Kingdom", https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/iim_1/iim_1_5.doc).

These talks followed a discussion by the WIPO General Assembly in September 2004 on a proposal originally presented by Argentina and Brazil -(https://www.wipo.int/documents/en/document/govbody/wo_gb_ga/doc/wo_ga_31_12.doc) and subsequently co-sponsored by the above-mentioned 12 countries. The proposal listed specific actions to incorporate the development dimension in WIPO's various activities.

Following the General Assembly debate, member states adopted a decision "to convene inter-sessional intergovernmental meetings to examine the proposals contained" in the Argentina/Brazil proposal, "as well as additional proposals of member states." A report on these meetings will be presented to the General Assembly for its consideration when it meets in September 2005. The first IIM was held in April 2005 and, in May 2005, WIPO also organized, with other relevant multilateral organizations, an international seminar on intellectual property and development, that was open to all stakeholders, including NGOs, civil society and academia.

Talks at the second session focused on the best way to organize future discussions. These issues were determined on the basis of a list of proposals derived from written submissions from member states (attached at Annex). A preliminary exchange of views on some of those proposals began at this session. The IIM decided to continue consideration of those and any other possible new proposals at the next session of the IIM, which would be held from July 20 to 22, 2005. To facilitate discussions at that next session, the Chairman invited those member states, which had made or would be making proposals, to submit them as specific action oriented proposals to the secretariat, in writing.

For more information please contact the Media Relations & Public Affairs Section at WIPO (telephone: (41-22) 338 81 61 or 338 95 47; facsimile: (41-22) 338 82 80; e-mail: publicinf@wipo.int).

 

Summary by the Chair

  1. The WIPO General Assembly, in its Thirty-First (15th Extraordinary) Session held in Geneva, from September 27 to October 5, 2004, decided to convene inter-sessional intergovernmental meetings to examine the proposals contained in document WO/GA/31/11 (Proposal by Argentina and Brazil for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for WIPO), as well as additional proposals of Member States. The First Session of the Inter-Sessional Intergovernmental Meeting (IIM) on a Development Agenda for WIPO was held from April 11 to 13, 2005. The Second Session of the Inter-Sessional Intergovernmental Meeting (IIM) on a Development Agenda for WIPO was held from June 20 to 22, 2005.
  2. Ambassador Rigoberto Gauto Vielman, Permanent Representative of Paraguay and Ambassador Dimiter Tzantchev, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria, continued as Chair and Vice-Chair for the Second Session of the IIM.
  3. Seventy-five Member States, nine Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and 32 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) participated in the session.
  4. The IIM decided to admit, on an ad hoc basis, two non-accredited NGOs, namely Business Software Alliance (BSA), USA, and Hipatia Cultural Association, Italy, without implications as to their status for future WIPO meetings. This was in addition to the 17 non-accredited NGOs admitted in the First Session.
  5. The IIM adopted the draft agenda, as proposed in document IIM/2/1 Prov.
  6. Two new proposals were presented by Bahrain (co-sponsored by Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) (document IIM/2/2) relating to the Importance of Intellectual Property in Social and Economic Development and National Development Programs, and by the United Kingdom relating to Intellectual Property and Development (document IIM/2/3).
  7. The IIM continued examination of proposals contained in documents WO/GA/31/11, IIM/1/2, IIM/1/3, IIM/1/4 and IIM/1/5.
  8. The IIM decided to organize its discussions on the basis of a list of proposals derived from written submissions from Member States (attached at Annex). A useful exchange of views took place on proposals 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, as contained in that list. The IIM decided to continue consideration of those and any other possible new proposals at the next session of the IIM, which would be held from July 20 to 22, 2005. Member States may submit in writing to the Secretariat additional proposals on the establishment of a development agenda for consideration at the next session of the IIM. To facilitate discussions at that next session, the Chairman invited those Member States, which had made or would be making proposals, to submit them as specific action oriented proposals to the Secretariat, in writing.
  9. The IIM noted that the Draft Report of the Second Session would contain all the interventions made during the current session and also the Chairman's summary. This Draft Report will be prepared by the Secretariat and communicated to the Permanent Missions of the Member States by July 4, 2005. The Draft Report would also be made available, in electronic form and on the WIPO website, to the Member States, IGOs and NGOs within the same deadline. Comments on the Draft Report should be communicated in writing to the Secretariat by July 11, 2005. The revised Draft Report would then be made available and considered for adoption at the beginning of the said next session of the IIM.
  10. The IIM considered and noted the contents of this summary by the Chair.

[Annex follows]

LIST OF PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE INTER-SESSIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETING
ON A DEVELOPMENT AGENDA FOR WIPO

  1. Proposal to Amend the WIPO Convention to include explicit language on the Development Dimension (Group of Friends of Development documents - WO/GA/31/11 and IIM/1/4).
  2. Proposal to Establish a WIPO Standing Committee on Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (Group of Friends of Development document - WO/GA/31/11).
  3. Proposal to Consider the Elaboration of a Treaty on Access to Knowledge and Technology (Group of Friends of Development document - WO/GA/31/11).
  4. Proposal to Formulate and Adopt Principles and Guidelines for the Development and Implementation of Technical Assistance (Group of Friends of Development
    documents - WO/GA/31/11 and IIM/1/4).
  5. Proposal to Establish an Independent WIPO Evaluation and Research Office (WERO) (Group of Friends of Development document - IIM/1/4).
  6. Proposal for the Consideration of Measures to Ensure wider Participation of Civil Society and Public Interest Groups in WIPO (Group of Friends of Development documents - WO/GA/31/11 and IIM/1/4).
  7. Proposal to Formulate and Adopt Principles and Guidelines for Norm-setting Activities in WIPO (Group of Friends of Development document - IIM/1/4).
  8. Proposal to Undertake Independent, Evidence-based "Development Impact Assessments" (DIAs) with respect to Norm-setting activities (proposed and existing treaties) (Group of Friends of Development document - IIM/1/4).
  9. Proposal to establish a system of Holding Public Hearings prior to the Initiation of any Norm-setting Initiatives (Group of Friends of Development document - IIM/1/4).
  10. Proposals to Improve Information Sharing on Technical Assistance including the Establishment of databases and a dedicated webpage (Group of Friends of Development document - IIM/1/4; United Kingdom (UK) document - IIM/1/5.
  11. Proposal to strengthen the strategic use of the intellectual property system including its flexibilities, for development, including the creation of a WIPO Partnership Program. This would entail, inter alia, the creation of:
    • a WIPO Partnership Database; and
    • a WIPO Partnership office. (USA document - IIM/1/2)
  12. Proposal to Commence Exploratory Work on Defining and Separating the WIPO Secretariat's Technical Assistance and Capacity Building functions from Norm-setting related Functions (Group of Friends of Development document - IIM/1/4).
  13. Proposal to Formulate and Adopt a Code of Ethics for Technical Assistance Staff and Consultants (Group of Friends of Development document - IIM/1/4).
  14. Proposal for Developing Indicators and Benchmarks for the Evaluation of WIPO Technical Assistance (Group of Friends of Development document - IIM/1/4).
  15. Proposal to Reinvigorate the PCIPD (UK documents - IIM/1/5 and IIM/2/3).
  16. Proposal to expand WIPO's advice and technical assistance provided to SMEs and sectors dealing with scientific research and cultural industries (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document - IIM/2/2).
  17. Proposal to request WIPO to assist Member States in setting-up national strategies in the field of intellectual property (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document - IIM/2/2).
  18. Proposal to request WIPO to undertake studies to demonstrate the economic, social and cultural impact of the use of intellectual property systems in Member States (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document - IIM/2/2).
  19. Proposal to increase financial resources for technical assistance for promoting an IP culture with an emphasis on introducing intellectual property at different academic levels (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document - IIM/2/2).
  20. Proposal to request WIPO to prepare information and statistical data on technical assistance provided to developing countries and LDCs (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document-IIM/2/2).
  21. Proposal to request WIPO to establish a voluntary contribution fund to promote the legal, commercial and economic exploitation of intellectual property rights in developing countries and LDCs (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document - IIM/2/2).
  22. Proposal to request developed countries to encourage their research and scientific institutions to enhance cooperation and exchange with research and development institutions in developing countries and LDCs (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document - IIM/2/2).
  23. Proposal to refer matters relating to functioning and management of WIPO to the competent bodies in WIPO for consideration (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document - IIM/2/2).
  24. Proposal to adopt guidelines while considering the Development Agenda process. These guidelines may include financial implications for each proposal; avoid conflict between the role of WIPO and the international obligations of Members States; avoid confusion between the role of WIPO in facilitating negotiations on international treaties it administers and the sovereign decision of Member States on whether to adhere or not to a specific treaty (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen document - IIM/2/2).