NGO Participation
WIPO's work on traditional knowledge, genetic resources and traditional cultural expressions/folklore is founded on extensive consultation with representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities and other NGOs.
WIPO has conducted fact-finding missions in 28 countries to consult on and identify the intellectual property-related needs and expectations of the holders and custodians of TK and traditional cultural expressions. A comprehensive report of these missions is available.
Special attention has been paid to enhancing the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the work of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folkore (IGC). Over 130 NGOs have been especially accredited to the IGC. Many of these represent indigenous and local communities. A voluntary fund has been set up in order to fund the participation of nominated representatives of accredited observers which represent indigenous and local communities.
Other steps have included the creation of a webpage for documents and submissions from accredited observers, comprising both NGOs and various intergovernmental organizations (IGOs).
These documents are posted in the form and languages in which they are received. To update IGC members on what has been posted on this site, a list of all submitted documents is distributed at each session of the IGC.
Accredited WIPO or IGC observers are invited to send further material concerning IGC issues for posting on this page to grtkf@wipo.int. Please send any queries to the same address.
In December 2008, WIPO Member States approved a revised program for WIPO which included the inauguration of an Indigenous IP Law Fellowship, so as to respond to the "reciprocal needs for stronger capacity in the rapidly growing domain of indigenous IP law and for strengthened capacity on IP law and policy for indigenous lawyers and policy advisors." This program has now been launched, and details are available here.
