MULTILATERAL SYSTEM OF NOTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR WINES AND SPIRITS

Report by the Chairman, Ambassador Alfredo Suescum (Panama)

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1.  I present this report on my own responsibility and without prejudice to the positions of delegations or to the outcome of negotiations under the mandate to establish a multilateral system of notification and registration of geographical indications (GIs) for wines and spirits ("GI Register") in the Special Session of the Council for TRIPS.

2.  Since my last written report, circulated as document _TN/IP/33 on 12 July 2024, I held individual consultations with proponents and interested delegations. These exchanges did not yield any new proposals or timelines for advancing the work. While proponents reaffirmed the importance of the negotiations, they conceded that these are not currently a priority. At an informal open-ended meeting on 19 September, I reported on my recent consultations, and offered Members an opportunity to present ideas. No delegation took the floor, and no concrete contributions or pathways for progress were offered.

3.  I reminded Members that substantive negotiations have not taken place for over a decade and that progress depends on proactive leadership from proponents. Although growing interest in GIs is evident in other contexts—such as multilateral, regional and bilateral agreements, as well as domestic GI protection systems—this has yet to foster engagement, new proposals, or new proponents in the TRIPS Special Session. Without active involvement from proponents, old or new, the process is stalled. I am reflecting on possible next steps, including further informal consultations, and will maintain contact with delegations to monitor any potential developments.

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