WIPO’s Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) convened its 52nd session from March 4 to 13, 2026. At this first session under its 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 information-sharing sessions on a range of related issues.
The session was chaired by Mr. Laine Fisher of New Zealand, with Mr. Pablo Latorre Tallard of Chile and Ms. Alhanoof Aldebasi of Saudi Arabia as Vice-Chairs.
Accreditation of Certain Organizations
Under Agenda Item 4, the Committee approved the accreditation of the following organizations as ad hoc observers: Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association (CNACA); Métis Legal Research & Education Foundation, Inc.; and Native American Church – State of New Mexico (NAC - SNM).
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, March 3, and Sunday, March 8, in a hybrid format. Additionally, the Indigenous Caucus organized daily meetings during the session and met separately with the IGC Chair and Vice-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 the donation by the Government of Australia, as well as donations collected during IGC 51, ensured the participation of two representatives 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 5.
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 March 4, 2026, chaired by a representative from a local or indigenous community, on the topic “Together or Apart? The Relationship Between TK and TCEs”.
Information Sharing Sessions
During the session, under Agenda Item 6, four information-sharing sessions were 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. In this context, the Committee organized information sharing sessions on the following topics:
- Intellectual Property Issues Concerning Genetic Resources (GRs) and their Interlinkage with Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs)
- The Interaction Between Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) Specific Government Agencies and Intellectual Property Offices
- Regional, National and Community Policies and Legislations Regarding the Intellectual Property Protection of TK and TCEs
- Regional, National and Community Experiences Regarding the Use of Intellectual Property as a Tool to Protect TK and TCEs
Traditional Knowledge/Traditional Cultural Expressions
Under Agenda Item 7, 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 its work on the basis of these documents at its next session.
Under this agenda item, the Committee also discussed the proposal submitted by the Delegation of the United States of America, contained in document WIPO/GRTKF/IC/52/6, 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 53.
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 8. The Committee also discussed how best to meet the mandate relating to this matter in future IGCs. Member States were encouraged to submit suggestions for future work under this agenda item before IGC 53.
Any other Business
The Republic of Albania delivered a statement notifying the members of the Committee of its accession to the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.
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.