[A2k] FromGeneva: South African statement at WIPO General Assemblies

[Thiru Balasubramaniam]

<SNIP>

The 15th Session of the Standing Committee on Copyrights and Related
Rights agreed on a recommendation to convene a Diplomatic Conference on
SCCR's Draft Basic Proposals. The exclusion of simulcasting and web
casting from the draft basic proposal as was agreed in the 14th Session
of the SCCR, should be maintained as a condition for proceeding to a
Diplomatic Conference. We believe that the holding of a diplomatic
conference in the absence of consensus on key substantive issues is
clearly contentious and premature".

---------------

http://fromgeneva.blogspot.com/2006/09/south-african-statement-at-wipo.html

---------------


      South African statement at WIPO General Assemblies

Highlights of the general statement by the Republic of South Africa at
the WIPO General Assemblies

This statement was delivered by Glaudine Mtshali, Ambassador, Permanent
Representative, Permanent Mission.

Geneva, 25 September to 3 October 2006



    "This 42nd General Assemblies come at a time when Secretary-General
    Kofi Annan on 19 September 2006 said that "... the world is divided
    by an unjust economy, world disorder and widespread contempt for
    human rights and the rule of law...". The stalled Doha Development
    Round confirms Secretary-General [Annan's] observation as it bears
    witness to the pernicious hold that the powerful economies have on
    global trade and rules. It also reinforces the suspicion with which
    developing countries view global trade initiatives which do not
    benefit poor countries despite the politically correct titles
    attached thereto.

    In the same vein, WIPO is challenged with the task of ensuring that
    the development agenda is taken seriously, is member-driven, and
    becomes deeply entrenched in all WIPO's rules, treaties, polices and
    programs...

    It is our responsibility as Member States of WIPO to ensure that
    development is central to WIPO's activities, and that intellectual
    property rules and norms are supportive to the attainment of the
    Millennium Development Goals...

    With regard to the Development Agenda proposal, South Africa calls
    for the continuation of the Development Agenda process in2007, with
    the view to agree on a set of recommendations, which would reflect
    both substantive and technical assistance issues. South Africa will
    not support recommendations that are not balanced. South Africa is
    firmly of the view that the development agenda is about more than
    just technical assistance. Norm-setting is at the core thereof.

    South Africa reiterates that the Development Agenda must be
    incorporated in all areas of WIPO's activities, committees and
    structures. In this regard we reject a "one size fits all" approach
    and favour different standards of protection depending on the stage
    of development.

    South Africa therefore welcomes and urges the General Assembly to
    extend and renew the mandate of the PCDA to continue its work on the
    development agenda...

    The 15th Session of the Standing Committee on Copyrights and Related
    Rights agreed on a recommendation to convene a Diplomatic Conference
    on SCCR's Draft Basic Proposals. The exclusion of simulcasting and
    web casting from the draft basic proposal as was agreed in the 14th
    Session of the SCCR, should be maintained as a condition for
    proceeding to a Diplomatic Conference. We believe that the holding
    of a diplomatic conference in the absence of consensus on key
    substantive issues is clearly contentious and premature".