WIPO’s Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) convened its 53rd session from September 16 to 25, 2026. At this second session under the 2026-2027 mandate, the Committee undertook discussions on intellectual property issues concerning genetic resources (GRs) and negotiations on traditional knowledge (TK) and/or traditional cultural expressions (TCEs), and held an information-sharing session on related issues.
The session was chaired by Mr. Laine Fisher of New Zealand, with Ms. Alhanoof AlDebasi of Saudi Arabia as Vice-Chair.
Experts Workshop
In accordance with the IGC’s mandate for the 2026-2027 biennium, an Experts Workshop was held on September 14 and 15, 2026, immediately prior to IGC 53.
The Workshop brought together eight experts representing Africa, the Arctic[1], Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia, North America and the Pacific, including a representative of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The experts exchanged views and shared their expertise on issues related to traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.
The outcomes of the Workshop will be reflected in a report to be presented at IGC 54.
Accreditation of Certain Organizations
Under Agenda Item 3, the Committee approved the accreditation of the following organizations as ad hoc observers: International Indigenous Fashion Council (IIFC), Kumina Mosi Transnational Customary Polity (KMTCP), Nubian Heritage Society and Ogiek Cultural Initiative Program (O.C.I.P.).
Participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
WIPO facilitated two preparatory meetings of the Indigenous Caucus (referred to as the “Indigenous Consultative Forum”) on Tuesday, September 15, and Sunday, September 20, in a hybrid format. Additionally, the Indigenous Caucus organized daily meetings during the session and met separately with the IGC Chair, as well as Member State delegations.
The WIPO Secretariat continued to fund secretarial services for Indigenous Peoples and local communities at the session, provided by the Documentation Centre for Indigenous Peoples (Docip).
On the WIPO Voluntary Fund, funds from past donations ensured the participation of one representative of Indigenous Peoples and local communities at this session.
The Committee encouraged Member States, and all interested public and private entities to contribute to the WIPO Voluntary Fund for Accredited Indigenous and Local Communities to support their participation in the Committee’s sessions.
The discussions on the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities took place under Agenda Item 4
Indigenous Panel
As agreed at the seventh session of the IGC, a half-day panel of presentations by representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities was organized on September 16, 2026, chaired by a representative from an Indigenous Peoples, focusing on the Positive and Defensive Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions using Intellectual Property.
Information Sharing Session
During the session, under Agenda Item 5, an information sharing session was held in line with the mandate for the 2026–2027 biennium, which calls for practical, experience-based discussions and an evidence-based approach drawing on national and regional experiences. The information sharing session focused on the Positive and Defensive Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions using Intellectual Property.
Traditional Knowledge/Traditional Cultural Expressions
Under Agenda Item 6, the Committee worked, including text-based negotiations, on the basis of documents WIPO/GRTKF/IC/52/4 and WIPO/GRTKF/IC/52/5. Following discussions in plenary and informals, the Committee decided to continue this work at its next session on the basis of the texts, as modified at IGC 53
Under this agenda item, the Committee also discussed the updated proposal submitted by the Delegation of the United States of America, contained in document WIPO/GRTKF/IC/53/4, concerning the preparation and circulation of a questionnaire on the use of sui generis protections for traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. Following discussion, the Committee decided that the proposal will continue to be discussed at IGC 54.
Genetic Resources
In accordance with its mandate, the Committee discussed intellectual property issues concerning GRs and their interlinkage with TK and TCEs, without normative work on GRs, under Agenda Item 7.
Any other Business
The Secretariat presented the updates made to the online table containing information on national and regional sui generis regimes for the intellectual property protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.
The decisions and all the documents of the session are available online.
For more information on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions, please visit this website or contact us.