TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES: INFORMATION FROM
OTHER INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

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.

The present document reproduces the information which has been received from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) by means of a communication dated 26 September 2024.

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1  Introduction

1.  The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) undertakes a wide range of technical cooperation activities to support its member States in implementing their obligations under the TRIPS Agreement. These activities are carried out in response to requests from least-developed countries (LDCs), developing countries, and countries with economies in transition. They encompass TRIPS-related legislative advice including flexibilities available under international IP treaties, as well as those under the TRIPS Agreement. These activities fall within the framework of the 1995 WIPO‑WTO Cooperation Agreement and the 2001 WIPO-WTO joint initiative on technical cooperation to assist LDCs. 

2.  WIPO's legal and technical cooperation activities enable member States to implement their TRIPS Agreement obligations and to provide countries, in particular LDCs, developing countries, and countries with economies in transition, with the opportunity to formulate and implement efficient strategies and policies. These strategies aim to foster, safeguard, and manage intellectual property (IP), thereby enhancing participation in the global economy. Another significant aspect of WIPO's technical cooperation is to support countries to integrate IP into their national development plans and public policies in key areas such as health, trade, education, research, competition, and technology transfer. 

3.  IP is critical to encouraging innovation and creativity, as well as access to it, to effectively address global challenges including health and climate change. A balanced and effective IP system is an essential catalyst to this end. Through WIPO's technical cooperation activities, member States are building IP systems and innovation capabilities for a better and more sustainable future for the benefit of all.

4.  WIPO will continue to maintain and strengthen its cooperation with all member States and partners, including through its cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), to address current and emerging issues and to create a world where innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by IP for the good of everyone in line with sustainable development agenda. 

5.  The Annex provides a list of the relevant activities undertaken by WIPO in the period from September 2023 to August 2024. This list is not exhaustive.