In response to many requests, the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) is pleased to make available an information note which summarizes the key findings of its recent book “Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development: Development Agendas in a Changing World,” which was launched on 27th April 2010, at a side event during the last session of WIPO Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP).

The book, edited by Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz and Pedro Roffe, was inspired by the dialogues and events sponsored by ICTSD globally since 2001, many of which were held in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in the context of their joint project on intellectual property rights and sustainable development.

It brings together a selected number of papers by recognized experts in the field of IP and development initially produced for these dialogues, as well as those authored by rising scholars and policy-makers. The book’s ability to unite a diverse range of voices on issues that occupy a central space in today’s global policy debates is part of what sets it apart as a unique contribution to this field.

From a development perspective, a number of new and emerging IP issues are examined in this book as well. Case studies and experiences from Africa, Asia, and Latin America analyse the impact of IP on the pharmaceutical sector, the protection of life forms and traditional knowledge, geographical indications, access to knowledge, and the role of competition policy. Challenges developing countries face in the TRIPS-plus world are also addressed. The experiences revealed, as well as cyclical attitudes toward IP, show that there is ultimately no universal model of IP protection.

Garantizar la coherencia entre los objetivos y las disposiciones de la Convención sobre la Diversidad Biológica (CDB), como las relacionadas con el acceso a los recursos genéticos y la distribución de beneficios, y las normas sobre patentes y variedades vegetales previstas en el Acuerdo sobre los ADPIC, han llevado a repetidos llamamientos para la reforma.

Los países ricos en biodiversidad han sido los principales solicitantes de una reforma que incorpore una serie de garantías en el régimen de patentes contra el acceso ilegal y el uso  de los recursos genéticos y conocimientos tradicionales asociados. Estas solicitudes se han presentado en diversos foros, incluyendo la OMC, la OMPI, la CDB, y más recientemente en los acuerdos comerciales regionales y bilaterales.

Algunos avances  se han podido concretar en esta materia. Por ejemplo, las negociaciones en la OMC se impulsaron luego de que en julio de 2008 una propuesta para modificar el Acuerdo sobre los ADPIC e incorporar la divulgación del origen, y potencialmente evidencia de la existencia de consentimiento fundamentado previo (CFP) y el acceso y participación en los beneficios (APB) fuera apoyada por más de 110 países.  Sin embargo  el debate no ha avanzado considerablemente en otros foros a pesar de varios años sucesivos de intensas discusiones.

Es en este contexto que ICTSD, BMZ, GTZ y entidades locales emprenden una serie de diálogos a nivel regional para brindar un apoyo más profundo que permita crear sinergias entre la propiedad intelectual y la biodiversidad. Los objetivos de estos diálogos son precisamente:

1.      Proporcionar una plataforma para que los diferentes interesados examinen las preocupaciones regionales, el conocimiento necesario y las áreas prioritarias para la acción en los ámbitos político y técnico respecto a la relación entre los derechos de propiedad intelectual y el uso sostenible de los recursos biológicos.

2.      Identificar a corto y largo plazo las necesidades de asistencia técnica sobre esta materia que prevalecen a nivel regional.

El primer diálogo de esta serie tuvo lugar en Heredia, Costa Rica, del 17 al 19 de noviembre de 2009.

El segundo diálogo se titula “Medidas Relacionadas con la Biodiversidad y el Sistema de Propiedad Intelectual” y tendría lugar en Lima, Peru, del 10 al 12 de marzo 2010. Reunirá a actores claves en la creación e implementación de las políticas, representantes del sector privado, instituciones de investigación, representantes de la sociedad civil y de los grupos indígenas de Suramérica; con el apoyo de expertos regionales y del sector académico.

El programa de este importante diálogo regional está disponible en: Agenda Tentativa

It will bring together a selected group of international experts and policy-makers as well as other relevant stakeholders from Africa in order to explore existing and new incentives, models, and initiatives to facilitate transfer of technology in local manufacturing for public health purposes. The workshop will focus on informal interactive sessions designed to identify core requirements as well the main challenges and options for Africa in promoting transfer of technology in local production.

This workshop forms part of a broader project with the objective of increasing access, especially of poor and least developed countries, to medicines and vaccines of the poverty related, tropical, and neglected as well as non-communicable diseases through the promotion of technology transfer in local manufacturing.

The workshop is designed to improve the understanding of the provisions of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) as they relate to measures for the protection of public health and their implications for local production of pharmaceuticals. The workshop targets local pharmaceutical producers, government officials (ministries of health, trade and industry, intellectual property offices, drug registration authorities and investment promotion agencies), civil society and academia.

Irfan Barloch Presentation

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) are pleased to invite you to a dialogue on: IP Offices and the Implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda: Challenges and Opportunities, Friday 18th September 2009, 13:15-14:45, Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) 17, rue de Varembé, 1211 Geneva.

Objective

The aim of the dialogue is to examine the role and contribution of IP offices to the implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda recommendations, which were adopted by the WIPO Assemblies in 2007.

Background

In the past decade, IP offices worldwide have been engaged in an important process of modernization to upgrade their technical capabilities and streamline their operations in order to meet the growing demand in IPRs and to implement new global IP rules (most notably the TRIPS Agreement, WIPO instruments and IP provisions in regional and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs)). This remains an ongoing challenge that is addressed by the WIPO International Symposium for IP authorities (17-18th September 2009) in the context of the organization’s strategic goal to create a more effective and coherent global IP infrastructure.

At the same time, global debates have centered on the achievement of a more balanced and development-oriented IP system, which is supportive of public policy objectives in the areas of innovation, health, climate change, food security and biodiversity. The WIPO Development Agenda (2007) - as well as other outcomes such as the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health (2001) and the WHO Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (2008) - is an important milestone in this process. The effective implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda recommendations also remains an ongoing challenge.

Several of the WIPO Development Agenda recommendations are directly related to the work of IP offices. Recommendation 10 in particular requests WIPO “to assist Member States to develop and improve national intellectual property institutional capacity through further development of infrastructure and other facilities with a view to making national intellectual property institutions more efficient and promote fair balance between intellectual property protection and the public interest (emphasis added).
In this context, how can IP offices become more actively engaged in the implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda recommendations? What are recent examples of actions and initiatives which have been taken in this regard?
The Dialogue seeks to foster a constructive debate to discuss these questions and raise awareness about the importance of IP offices in efforts to implement the WIPO Development Agenda and to achieve an IP system and infrastructure that are supportive of public policy objectives and responsive to the views of all stakeholders.

Draft Programme

Introduction
Christoph Spennemann, UNCTAD

Moderator
Pedro Roffe, ICTSD

Speakers
Irfan Baloch- Acting Director, Development Agenda Coordination Division, WIPO
Ruth Okediji- Professor of Law, University of Minnesota Law School

Exchange of views with participants

Pre-registration by Thursday September 17th 2009 is required. Please contact Mr. Thomas Henninger (thenninger@ictsd.ch; tel: 022-917 88 55).

The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, in cooperation with Saana Consulting and with the support of the UK Department for International Development (DFID), has recently launched a project to undertake, upon request, needs assessment diagnostic studies in least developed countries (LDCs) aimed at identifying their needs for financial and technical cooperation in the context of the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which sets minimum substantive and procedural standards for intellectual property at a multilateral level.

According to the Decision of 29 November 2005, and for the purpose of facilitating targeted technical assistance and financial cooperation, LDCs are asked to provide the TRIPS Council with comprehensive information, preferably before 1 January 2008, as to their individual needs for assistance in implementing their TRIPS obligations.

Diagnostic Study and National Stakeholder Consultations

As a contribution to this process, the project has provided technical support to undertake, upon request, a comprehensive diagnostic study and assessment of technical and financial assistance needs in LDCs. Sierra Leone and Uganda, upon their request, were selected as the first two pilot countries for the IP technical assistance needs assessment project:

1. Sierra Leone needs assessment and national stakeholder consultations, 6 - 19 July 2007
2. Uganda needs assessment and national stakeholder consultations, 18- 27 July 2007

LDC Consultations in Geneva

ICTSD with Saana Consulting organised a dialogue titled Improving Intellectual Property Technical Cooperation for Least Developed Countries to Facilitate the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement in Geneva on 3 May for Geneva-based LDC missions to the WTO. The purpose of this meeting was to present their draft diagnostic toolkit, tailor-made to the needs of LDCs, explore challenges, options and further inputs for the needs assessment exercise and consider countries that would be interested in participating in the country needs assessment study. The project was also introduced at the LDC Group coordination meeting at the WTO where formal feedback on the project and the toolkit were received. All these consultations and comments have helped ICTSD to revise and improve current activities to LDC needs.

Objectives of the Needs Assessment

The overall objective of the national needs assessment assignment is to help LDCs identify their technical and financial cooperation needs in light of the request by the TRIPS Council in its decision of 29 November 2005 and their obligation to implement the TRIPS Agreement by 1 July 2013.

The needs assessment included a national stakeholder dialogue which to introduce and explore the diagnostic study, gather information from stakeholders, facilitate identification of needs and present the approach to using the diagnostic toolkit developed by Saana Consulting for ICTSD.

The specific objective of the current needs assessment is to review the current status of the IPR and innovation reform process in LDCs and to provide direct assistance for the next stage of detailed planning and implementation of the required legal and administrative reforms, together with a tailored program of capacity building and awareness raising for key stakeholders from government, the private sector and civil society. In undertaking the needs assessment, the engagement of officials and ministers from government departments and agencies involved with IP-related policymaking, administration and regulation was essential in generating a successful outcome for the assignment. In addition, the participation of other stakeholders including businesses, academia, consumers and civil society was a great asset to generating a transparent and open assessment process.

The need to make better use of this valuable opportunity for LDCs was discussed by representatives from a group of developed and developing countries, international institutions and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) at the Intellectual Property Technical Assistance Forum (IPRTA Forum) meeting sponsored by the UK Department of International Development (DFID) in Bangkok in December 2006.1 As a follow-up to the meeting, a pilot project on “Improving Intellectual Property Technical Cooperation for Least Developed Countries to Facilitate the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement” was established by ICTSD’s Programme on IPRs and Sustainable Development in partnership with Saana Consulting. The pilot project is aimed at providing technical support to undertake, upon request, a comprehensive diagnostic study and assessment of technical and financial assistance needs on IP and development in LDCs. The project also seeks to facilitate the response by LDCs and their development partners to the invitation made by the WTO Council for TRIPS in 2005.2

As part of the pilot project, a Diagnostic Toolkit was prepared to aid the assessment of needs for IPR technical and financial assistance (IPRTA) in LDCs.3 Based on an earlier version of a common IPRTA needs assessment tool developed by Mart Leesti and Tom Pengelly at Saana Consulting in December 2004, and an ongoing process of stakeholder dialogue, consultation and peer review organized by ICTSD, the Diagnostic Toolkit has been specifically adapted for use in LDCs as they face the challenge of implementing the objectives, principles, rights and obligations of the WTO TRIPS Agreement, whilst taking proper account of the objectives, principles flexibilities, safeguards and Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) provisions they enjoy because of their LDC status and low levels of human, social and economic development.

Following consultations in Geneva and the online publication via the ICTSD website of the draft Diagnostic Toolkit in early May 2007, ICTSD received expressions of interest from a number of LDCs wishing to participate in conducting a national assessment of their needs for technical and financial co-operation, with a view to submitting the resultant information to the WTO Council for TRIPS. Two such pilot national needs assessments were undertaken in July 2007 in Sierra Leone4 and Uganda.5 The approach to the preparation of each needs assessment report has been based on the overall objective of providing a roadmap for Sierra Leone and Uganda, with their development partners, in building their national IP and technological infrastructure on a sustainable, pro-development basis, and taking the necessary steps for implementation of the objectives, principles, rights and obligations of the TRIPS Agreement.

Full account has been taken of the LDC status of Sierra Leone and Uganda and the country’s right to benefit from the S&DT provisions for LDCs under the TRIPS Agreement, specifically maximum policy flexibility in building a sound and viable technological base and safeguarding public health and nutrition; an extended transition period; and obligations of developed country members to provide technical and financial assistance on mutually agreed terms, as well as incentives for transfer of technology.

A common template has been used for the preparation of the needs assessment diagnostic study reports for both countries in the pilot project, based on the structure of the Diagnostic Toolkit. The two reports are structured as follows:

Chapter 1 provides a summary of the priority needs for technical and financial co-operation identified in the diagnostic study.

Chapter 2 describes the overall national development context, including poverty status, economic and innovation structure, form of government, natural resource base, and key human and social development indicators.

In Chapter 3, the existing IP policy and legal framework is analysed and recent developments are described. Priority needs for technical co-operation and financial assistance are then identified and described.

In Chapter 4, the existing arrangements for IP administration are analysed. Priority needs for technical co-operation and financial assistance are then identified and described.

In Chapter 5, the existing arrangements for IP enforcement and regulation are analysed. Priority needs for technical co-operation and financial assistance are then identified and described.

In Chapter 6, the existing arrangements for promoting use of the IP system for development and promoting innovation, technology transfer and creativity are analysed. Priority needs for technical co-operation and financial assistance are then identified and described.

For both Sierra Leone and Uganda, responding to the identified priority needs for IPR technical cooperation, financial assistance and capacity building will need to be taken forward over the medium term in a comprehensive, sustainable manner, consistent with international agreed principles for aid effectiveness as set out in the 2005 Paris Declaration.6 In this case, for each country, the optimum solution is likely to be the development and implementation of a multi-partner, national IPR capacity building programme, co-ordinated by a lead ministry (such as the Ministry of Trade & Industry) and comprising several sub-projects led by relevant key agencies. The programmes could begin with an initial 5 year phase from July 2008 to July 2013. In all probability, further phases of the programmes would be required in both countries.

Such an approach would provide the best prospects for co-ordinating the delivery of technical and financial assistance in Sierra Leone and Uganda for developing the national IP and technological infrastructure on a sustainable basis and taking the necessary steps for implementation of the objectives, principles, rights and obligations of the TRIPS Agreement. In order to be effective, the programme approach should take account of lessons learned to date from IPRTA activities and, most importantly, the limited absorptive capacity and resources of institutions in LDCs. In specific terms, this entails that the programme approach should have the following key design features built-in:

An initial heavy emphasis on building the capacity of relevant Government agencies to take the lead in co-ordinating, implementing and monitoring projects and activities within the programme and the linkages to related Government policies and programmes.

A medium-term, strategic common planning framework, with a gradual, patient level of sustained activity supported by the Government and its development partners over the programme period rather than a series of ad hoc events, peaks, troughs and interruptions.

A strong development focus to the programme, emphasising the need to involve a broad range of stakeholders from across government, the private sector and civil society and to gain their support for the protection of IPRs in the country by raising awareness and demonstrably contributing to national social and economic goals, building a sound and viable technological base and meeting international obligations.

Harmonized, predictable and transparent arrangements for programme funding, management and co-ordination by development partners, with emphasis on upgrading and utilizing the Government’s own public financial and procurement systems as far as possible.

Mechanisms for regular multi-partner joint reporting, review and evaluation of a common set of expected results, impacts and outcomes, as opposed to multiple discrete systems which place a heavy and unnecessary burden on the lead government agencies.

The detailed design development of such programmes in Sierra Leone and Uganda would require technical assistance and thorough consultations between Government, national stakeholders and the countries’ development partners. This would probably take at least 6-12 months to complete.

For both countries, the starting point for programme development could be based on the Outline Programme Planning Matrix of needs identified, main activities proposed to address these needs, lead agencies involved, provisional timings, and possible development partners, provided at Annex A of both of reports of the national needs assessment diagnostic studies.

However, we note that the final decisions on when and how best to follow-up the reports of their needs assessment diagnostic studies, of course, rests with Sierra Leone and Uganda. A specific issue which each country will need to consider relates to their membership of the ARIPO system for patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright, and in particular both countries’ present dependence upon ARIPO for most of their substantive patent examination functions. This therefore raises the question as to whether it would make sense for Sierra Leone and Uganda, as well as other ARIPO members, if an assessment of ARIPO’s needs for technical assistance and financial cooperation should be undertaken and implemented in parallel with their own national programmes.

According to the Decision of 29 November 2005, and for the purpose of facilitating targeted technical assistance and financial cooperation, LDCs are asked to provide the TRIPS Council with comprehensive information, preferably before 1 January 2008, as to their individual needs for assistance in implementing their TRIPS obligations.

As a contribution to this process, the project has provided technical support to undertake, upon request, a comprehensive diagnostic study and assessment of technical and financial assistance needs in LDCs. Sierra Leone and Uganda, upon their request, were selected as the first two pilot countries for the IP technical assistance needs assessment project. This needs assessment was undertaken in Uganda on 18 - 27 July 2007 by Saana Consulting and members of the ICTSD Programme on IP and Sustainable Development, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry (MTTI) of Uganda.

ICTSD with Saana Consulting organised a dialogue titled Improving Intellectual Property Technical Cooperation for Least Developed Countries to Facilitate the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement in Geneva on 3 May for Geneva-based LDC missions to the WTO. The purpose of this meeting was to present their draft diagnostic toolkit, tailor-made to the needs of LDCs, explore challenges, options and further inputs for the needs assessment exercise and consider countries that would be interested in participating in the country needs assessment study. The project was also introduced at the LDC Group coordination meeting at the WTO where formal feedback on the project and the toolkit were received. All these consultations and comments have helped ICTSD to revise and improve current activities to LDC needs.*

Objectives of the Needs Assessment

The overall objective of the national needs assessment assignment is to help LDCs identify their technical and financial cooperation needs in light of the request by the TRIPS Council in its decision of 29 November 2005 and their obligation to implement the TRIPS Agreement by 1 July 2013.

The needs assessment included a national stakeholder dialogue with which to introduce and explore the diagnostic study, gather information from stakeholders, facilitate identification of needs and present the approach to using the diagnostic toolkit developed by Saana Consulting for ICTSD.

Uganda National Stakeholder Dialogue: (L-R) Constantine Bartel (ICTSD), Jecho O. Amai (MTTI) and Hon. Gagawala Wambuzi, Minister of Trade (MTTI)

The specific objective of the current needs assessment is to review the current status of the IPR and innovation reform process in Uganda and to provide direct assistance for the next stage of detailed planning and implementation of the required legal and administrative reforms, together with a tailored program of capacity building and awareness raising for key stakeholders from government, the private sector and civil society. In undertaking the needs assessment, the engagement of officials and ministers from government departments and agencies involved with IP-related policymaking, administration and regulation was essential in generating a successful outcome for the assignment. In addition, the participation of other stakeholders including businesses, academia, consumers and civil society was a great asset to generating a transparent and open assessment process.

* For more information, including the Diagnostic Toolkit for the assessment of LDCs needs for financial and technical cooperation, please visit the project webpage at:

According to the Decision of 29 November 2005, and for the purpose of facilitating targeted technical assistance and financial cooperation, LDCs are asked to provide the TRIPS Council with comprehensive information, preferably before 1 January 2008, as to their individual needs for assistance in implementing their TRIPS obligations.

As a contribution to this process, the project has provided technical support to undertake, upon request, a comprehensive diagnostic study and assessment of technical and financial assistance needs in LDCs. Sierra Leone and Uganda, upon their request, were selected as the first two pilot countries for the IP technical assistance needs assessment project. This needs assessment was undertaken in Freetown on 9 - 16 July 2007 by Saana Consulting and members of the ICTSD Programme on IP and Sustainable Development, in the context of Sierra Leone’s ongoing IPR reform process under the ‘Protecting IPRs Project’, which began in 2005 with the Assistance of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

ICTSD with Saana Consulting organised a dialogue titled Improving Intellectual Property Technical Cooperation for Least Developed Countries to Facilitate the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement in Geneva on 3 May for Geneva-based LDC missions to the WTO. The purpose of this meeting was to present their draft diagnostic toolkit, tailor-made to the needs of LDCs, explore challenges, options and further inputs for the needs assessment exercise and consider countries that would be interested in participating in the country needs assessment study. The project was also introduced at the LDC Group coordination meeting at the WTO where formal feedback on the project and the toolkit were received. All these consultations and comments have helped ICTSD to revise and improve current activities to LDC needs.*

Objectives of the Needs Assessment

The overall objective of the national needs assessment assignment is to help LDCs identify their technical and financial cooperation needs in light of the request by the TRIPS Council in its decision of 29 November 2005 and their obligation to implement the TRIPS Agreement by 1 July 2013.

The needs assessment included a national stakeholder dialogue which to introduce and explore the diagnostic study, gather information from stakeholders, facilitate identification of needs and present the approach to using the diagnostic toolkit developed by Saana Consulting for ICTSD.

The specific objective of the current needs assessment is to review the current status of the IPR and innovation reform process in Sierra Leone and to provide direct assistance for the next stage of detailed planning and implementation of the required legal and administrative reforms, together with a tailored program of capacity building and awareness raising for key stakeholders from government, the private sector and civil society. In undertaking the needs assessment, the engagement of officials and ministers from government departments and agencies involved with IP-related policymaking, administration and regulation was essential in generating a successful outcome for the assignment. In addition, the participation of other stakeholders including businesses, academia, consumers and civil society was a great asset to generating a transparent and open assessment process.

* For more information, including the Diagnostic Toolkit for the assessment of the needs of LDCs for financial and technical cooperation for implementing the TRIPS Agreement, please visit the project webpage:

This is the third ICTSD study on technical assistance in intellectual property. It demonstrates from a sustainable development perspective that this issue is one of the most strategically important — but also one of the most controversial — aspects for achieving a balanced IP system at the national level. The study concludes that the recent emergence of FTAs, many of which contain chapters on IP that go beyond the WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), adds a new layer of complexity for countries in the implementation and enforcement of international IP rules and has important implications for policy coherence, institutional reforms and human resources. To this end, it argues that carefully crafted technical assistance is needed in order to make national IP systems effective tools for promoting innovation and technology transfer. The premise of ICTSD’s work in this field, together with its joint project with UNCTAD, is based on the understanding that intellectual property rights (IPRs) have never been more economically and politically important or controversial than they are today. Patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs, integrated circuits and geographical indications are frequently mentioned in discussions and debates on issues as diverse as public health, food security, education, trade, industrial policy, traditional knowledge, biodiversity, biotechnology, the Internet, and the entertainment and media industries. In a knowledge-based economy, there is no doubt that a better understanding of IPRs is indispensable to informed policy making in all areas of development.

Empirical evidence remains inconclusive as to the role of intellectual property protection in promoting innovation and growth. Divergent views also persist on the impacts of IPRs on development prospects. Some point out that, in a modern economy, the minimum standards laid down in the TRIPS will bring benefits to developing countries by creating the incentive structure necessary for knowledge generation and diffusion, technology transfer and private investment flows. Others stress that intellectual property, especially some of its elements, such as the patent regime, will adversely affect the pursuit of sustainable development strategies by, for instance: raising the prices of essential drugs to levels that are too high for the poor to afford; limiting the availability of educational materials for developing country school and university students; legitimising the piracy of traditional knowledge; and undermining the self-reliance of resource-poor farmers.

It is crucial, therefore, to ask the question: How can developing countries use IP tools to advance their development strategy? What are the key concerns surrounding the issues of IPRs for developing countries in formulating their IP policy? What are the specific difficulties they face in intellectual property negotiations? Is IP directly relevant to sustainable development and to the achievement of agreed international development goals? How can we better facilitate technological flows between all countries? Do they have the capacity, especially the least developed among them, to formulate effective negotiating positions and become well-informed negotiating partners? These are essential questions that policy makers need to address in order to design and implement IP laws and policies that meet the needs of their people and negotiate effectively in future agreements.

To help address some of these questions, the ICTSD Programme on Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development was launched in July 2000. A central objective of the programme has been to facilitate the emergence of a critical mass of well-informed stakeholders in developing countries — including decision makers and negotiators, but also the private sector and civil society — who will be able to define their own sustainable human development objectives in the field of IPRs and effectively advance them at the national and international levels.

We hope you will find this study a useful contribution to the debate on intellectual property and sustainable development, and particularly on how technical assistance should best be devised to address the challenges of implementing the new generation of IP obligations in FTAs.

Chinese Version