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WIPO Presents Program of Concrete Assistance to Strengthen Intellectual Property System of LDCs

Geneva, May 15, 2001
Press Releases PR/2001/267

Least developed countries expressed strong support for a program of practical assistance presented by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on May 15, 2001 at the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC III) in Brussels. WIPO Deputy Director General, Mr. Roberto Castelo, outlined a set of concrete measures to enable LDCs to harness the economic benefits of their creativity through more effective systems of intellectual property protection.

In an opening statement, Mr. Rubens Ricupero, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, underlined the importance of translating principles of general policy into concrete application in day-to-day life. The discussion also featured keynote addresses by Mr. Betsimifira Fredo, Minister of Information, Culture and Communication of Madagascar and Mr. Ronaldo Sardenberg, Minister of Science and Technology of Brazil.

In introducing WIPO's deliverables for sustainable development of intellectual property systems in LDCs, Mr. Castelo underlined the importance of addressing the urgent and immediate needs of LDCs by implementing relevant and focused measures to produce rapid and tangible results. Referring to the vision of WIPO Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, he noted that globalization and market integration should be characterized by an ethic of participation. Mr.Castelo said that WIPO's deliverables focused on the acquisition of technology as the root of development. He said that without the transfer of knowledge, it would be impossible for LDCs to fully exploit their innovative capacities.

WIPO's deliverables consist of concrete measures designed to provide tangible assistance to LDCs and to generate the "knowledge capital" of these countries. Major deliverables include:

  • Transfer of knowledge and development of human resources through the teaching, training, advisory and research services of the WIPO Worldwide Academy;
  • Improved access to affordable information and communication technologies and data exchange through the establishment of the WIPO Global Information Network (WIPONET);
  • Creation of collective management societies to ensure that creators receive payment for the use of their works;
  • Optimizing the wealth-creation effect of traditional knowledge, genetic resources and expressions of folklore;
  • Helping small and medium-sized enterprises to fully exploit their innovative and creative capacities, to become more competitive and gain better access to larger markets through better use of the intellectual property system.

Although only 41 of the 49 LDCs are members of WIPO, all LDCs are eligible to receive WIPO assistance under this special program. Mr. Castelo said, "all LDCs benefit equally from WIPO assistance and cooperation. Our challenge is to make the intellectual property system relevant to the needs of these countries".

The WIPO program of action was formulated on the basis of the Lisbon Declaration on Intellectual Property adopted by ministers and senior government officials at the High-Level Roundtable on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) on February 1 and 2, 2001.

Mr. Fredo, Minister of Information, Culture and Communication of Madagascar applauded WIPO under the leadership of Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, for formulating a plan of action relevant to the particular needs of LDCs . He said in the face of the challenges of globalization, it was important to ensure that intellectual property becomes an authentic instrument of sustainable human development. In today's knowledge-based economy it is important to develop new economic and financial strategies capable of harnessing new production and investment opportunities. Recognizing the importance of WIPO's technical cooperation activities to promote intellectual property systems in LDCs, Mr. Fredo stressed the importance of political will at the national level and the existence of a favorable international climate, without which any development effort would be compromised. Recounting Madagascar's experience, the Minister said that his country had recognized the irreversible character of economic globalization and the communications revolution and had, in the context of efforts to eradicate poverty, decided to incorporate intellectual property as an integral part of a program to make the business environment more credible and to stimulate creativity with a view to strengthening education, training and research systems.

The Minister of Science and Technology of Brazil, Mr. Ronaldo Sardenberg, emphasized the core importance of research and development as driving forces of economic growth within today's technology-driven knowledge-based economies. He commended WIPO's initiative which, he said "maps, in a comprehensive manner, what can or should be done by LDCs and complemented by WIPO". He said, "defining rules on intellectual property and access to technology transfer is surely a pre-requisite for establishing an environment conducive to research and development. Such rules should be geared to innovation, to be carried out in particular by the private sector, expansion of international trade and international cooperation in the field of science and technology." he added. The Minister stressed that "for all purposes, the option of defining and enforcing intellectual property rules should lead to economic development, and ultimately to improvement of a country's living standards."

Mr. Sardenberg supported WIPO's "focused, quantifiable and realistic" assistance to LDCs and underlined that "building knowledge capital through transfer of knowledge" was a vital element of LDC development. He praised the high quality services of WIPO Academy and the WIPONET initiative which contributed significantly to building up and strengthening intellectual property systems both in LDCs and in developing countries in general. He welcomed the installation of WIPONET services in LDCs " as they allow not only data exchange and use of IP-related services and infrastructure, but also open further prospects for a better access to digital technologies in those countries".

The minister said "intellectual property rights are part of a wider policy framework. They belong in the innovation system as a factor of economic progress and should result in tangible but non-economic benefits as well. Creative ways and means must be found to bring LDCs to this new world of innovation. Strategies and model legislation concerning patents and traditional knowledge, as well as incentives for innovation are essential to facilitate their development."

The representative of the European Commission strongly endorsed WIPO's deliverables and welcomed the Lisbon Declaration which, he said, would serve as a useful and constructive foundation on which to build future partnerships with LDCs.

Many delegations recognized that effective intellectual property systems are a key element in creating an enabling environment to attract foreign direct investment, stimulate innovation and creativity, promote economic development and thereby contribute to poverty reduction. A number of countries commended WIPO for its successful record in providing practical assistance to LDCs but stressed that additional resources were required to enhance existing systems and to raise public awareness about the role and value of intellectual property as a tool to promote economic, social and cultural development.

For more information please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at +4122-3388161 or +4122-3389547 or publicinf@wipo.int.

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