WTO SECRETARIAT TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN THE TRIPS AREA

Note by the Secretariat

At its meeting of 10 July 2024, the Council for TRIPS agreed to invite intergovernmental organization observers to the Council to update the information on their technical and financial cooperation programmes relating to the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement.

This document reports on the technical cooperation activities concerning the Agreement on Trade‑Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) that were undertaken between 1 October 2023 and 16 September 2024 by the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It covers activities that specifically relate to intellectual property (IP) and the TRIPS Agreement, as well as contributions to other activities of a broader character, which have a significant IP or TRIPS component. It follows the previous report to the Council for TRIPS, contained in document IP/C/R/TC/WTO-OMC/4, dated 12 October 2023. This cover note provides a general overview. More information on each activity is provided in the Annex.

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1  Introduction

1.  The WTO Secretariat's technical cooperation activities, conducted under the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), aim to support Members and observers in achieving their developmental and domestic policy objectives. These objectives include fostering innovation, advancing industrial policies, promoting public health, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and ensuring environmental protection. The cooperation is tailored to align with the specific domestic circumstances and priority needs identified by each Member and observer, integrating the trade and Intellectual Property (IP) regimes to best serve these goals.

2.  During the review period, the Secretariat's technical cooperation activities under the TRIPS Agreement remained focused on assisting Members and observers understand their rights and obligations (including flexibilities), operationalize the IP system, enhance Members' capacity to engage in the WTO's work on TRIPS matters, and to engage with issues discussed in the TRIPS Council.

3.  In April 2024, the Secretariat introduced its information note entitled "WTO TRIPS Technical Assistance Activities in 2024" (document IP/C/W/710). The objective was to provide detailed information about TRIPS-specific WTO technical assistance activities planned for 2024, including information on dates, and where applicable, eligibility and selection criteria of participants and instructions for submissions of applications, which can be useful for planning in Missions and capitals.

4.  Members and observers wishing to learn more about TRIPS-related technical assistance are requested to contact Ms Roshan Khan (Roshan.Khan@wto.org; +41 22 739 6153), Legal and Technical Assistance Officer, Intellectual Property, Government and Competition Policy Division, to discuss potential avenues of support and be-spoke programmes.