In 2008, The WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) commissioned two gap analyses on the protection of One of the key areas I have prioritized in my work is intellectual property, with particular focus on UPOV-related matters. These UPOV sessions provide a valuable platform for members, including Ghana—one of the newest UPOV members—to exchange experiences and expertise. The overarching goal is to ensure robust protection for new plant varieties, empowering breeders with exclusive rights while fostering innovation incentive and research.traditional cultural expressions

/expressions of folklore (TCEs/EoF) and traditional knowledge (TK).

In 2017, the WIPO General Assembly requested the Secretariat to “update the 2008 gap analyses on the existing protection regimes related to TK and TCEs.” They were published and distributed as working documents:

Comments

During the intersessional review process established by the IGC, WIPO received written comments from IGC members and accredited observers on the consultation drafts on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Gap analysis on the protection of traditional cultural expressions and traditional knowledge PDF, Gap analysis on the protection of traditional knowledge . These comments were taken into account in the preparation of the working documents.

WIPO member states and observers

Member State / Observer Traditional Cultural Expressions Traditional Knowledge
African Group PDF, Comments from African Group on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from African Group on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
Australia PDF, Comments from Australia on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Australia on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
Brazil PDF, Comments from Brazil on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Brazil on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
Ethiopia PDF, Comments from Ethiopia on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Ethiopia on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
European Union PDF, Comments from European Union on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from the European Union on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge, in English and French
Japan PDF, Comments from Japan on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Japan on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
Mexico PDF, Comments from Mexico on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Mexico on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge PDF, Comments from Mexico on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
Palau PDF, Comments from Palau on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Palau on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
Switzerland PDF, Comments from Switzerland on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Switzerland on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
Thailand PDF, Comments from Thailand on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Thailand on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
United States of America PDF, Comments from the United States of America on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from the United States of America on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge

IGC accredited observers

IGC Observer Traditional Cultural Expressions Traditional Knowledge
Arts Law Centre of Australia PDF, Comments from Arts Law Centre of Australia on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions PDF, Comments from Arts Law Centre of Australia on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) - PDF, Comments from the Biotechnology Industry Organization on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) - PDF, Comments from the International Chamber of Commerce on the draft gap analysis on traditional knowledge
International Publishers Association (IPA) PDF, Comments from the International Publishers Association on the draft gap analysis on traditional cultural expressions -