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 position of delegations or to the outcome of negotiations on the negotiations on the establishment of 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/31 on 30 November 2022, there has been little activity in the TRIPS negotiations on the GI register. I had informal exchanges with a few principal delegations to hear their thoughts on how and if the Special Session might proceed in fulfilling its mandate.

3.  In these exchanges, I did not feel that any delegation saw the current negotiating environment as conducive to any substantive engagement, not to mention any evolution in Members' positions on either substantive or procedural issues on the GI register negotiations.  

4.  Thus, I have concluded that Members' willingness to engage substantively in the TRIPS Special Session remains scant, and that the moment is not ripe to convene informal meetings or consultations. Nevertheless, after I deliver this report today, I will make myself available to meet with any delegation, especially proponent delegations, that may wish to share with me their thoughts on the work of the Special Session.

5.  It remains my hope that delegations will eventually return to substantive discussion in the TRIPS Special Session and work towards a multilateral conclusion of its mandate. As always, I stand ready to help them once they do.

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