South Centre Statement to the 49th WIPO IGC Session, 2 December 2024
South Centre Statement to the 49th WIPO IGC Session
2 December 2024
We support the work by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) to contribute to a more inclusive and just international intellectual property system and sustainable development.
The intergovernmental committee has been addressing the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) for more than 20 years. It should build on the momentum created by the adoption of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and associated TK, overcome divergences and move forward.
To address the many global challenges, the knowledge and innovations of indigenous peoples and local communities are essential to advance solutions.
The gaps in protection of TK and TCEs in existing legal mechanisms have been identified, including in existing intellectual property law. We support the work of the intergovernmental committee to advance the elements that may form part of a distinct sui generis legal system of intellectual property protection defined specifically to protect traditional knowledge including traditional cultural expressions, with broad application internationally.
We look forward to the advancement of the work by the intergovernmental committee in this 49th session based on the draft articles.
This article was tagged: Genetic Resources, Indigenous Peoples, Intellectual Property, Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs), Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), WIPO IGC, WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
