[Ecommerce] WIPO Press Release

[Manon Ress]

http://www.wipo.int/edocs/prdocs/en/2004/wipo_pr_2004_396.html


Press Release 396
Geneva, October 4, 2004
MEMBER STATES AGREE TO FURTHER EXAMINE PROPOSAL ON DEVELOPMENT

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly
agreed on Monday, October 4, 2004, to further examine a proposal by a
group of developing countries to integrate in a more systematic manner
the development dimension in all of WIPO=92s work. Member states are
expected to formally adopt this decision in a plenary meeting of the
General Assembly on Tuesday, October 5, 2004.

This decision came after a debate at the General Assembly of WIPO, which
is meeting in Geneva from September 27 to October 5, 2004, on a proposal
(http://www.wipo.int/documents/en/document/govbody/wo_gb_ga/doc/wo_ga_31_12=
.doc)
originally presented by Brazil and Argentina. The proposal calls for
WIPO to "fully incorporate" and "to take immediate action in providing
for the incorporation of a "Development Agenda" in the Organization=92s
work program." The proposal lists specific action to incorporate the
development dimension in WIPO=92s various activities.

Many member states commented on the Brazil/Argentina proposal during the
debate on this subject. All developing countries welcomed the proposal.
They also pointed out, without exception, that WIPO, especially under
the present Director General, had always been sensitive to the concerns
of developing countries, and that the Organization=92s long-standing
program of technical assistance to developing countries, particularly to
least developed countries, is very much appreciated. They also noted
that the program had recently expanded into new areas of support,
reflecting the latest priorities of the beneficiary countries, such as
the establishment of national intellectual property strategic policies.

A number of developed countries said that development was a shared
concern for the international community, and reaffirmed their commitment
to ensure that sustainable development for all nations became a reality.
They said, however, that fundamental development issues were already
being discussed in WIPO=92s different fora and that the technical
assistance program was working very well and should continue. In
expressing readiness to discuss ways in which WIPO=92s programs could
become more responsive to the concerns of developing countries, they
discouraged the creation of new bodies to discuss matters raised in the
proposal.

Taking into account activities already carried out by WIPO in the area
of development, the General Assembly decided "to convene inter-sessional
intergovernmental meetings to examine the proposals contained" in the
Brazil/Argentina proposal, "as well as additional proposals of member
states." The meetings would also be open to WIPO accredited
inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). A report
on these meetings will be presented to next year=92s General Assembly,
which would reconsider the matter.

The decision also calls on WIPO to organize, with other relevant
multilateral organizations, an international seminar on intellectual
property and development, open to all stakeholders, including NGOs,
civil society and academia.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public
Affairs Section at WIPO:

     * Tel: (+41 22) - 338 81 61 or 338 95 47
     * Fax: (+41 22) - 338 88 10
     * Email: publicinf@wipo.int.


--
Manon Anne Ress
Consumer Project on Technology
www.cptech.org
PO Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036
manon.ress@cptech.org, voice: 1.202.387.8030, fax: 1.202.234.5176