Traditional Knowledge (TK)
The WIPO Negotiations on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions Move Towards Clearer Objectives for the International Instrument
By Dr. Viviana Munoz Tellez
The 53rd session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) in September 2026 moved past a long textual standstill by agreeing to changes to the draft texts on traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, including a new proposed formulation of objectives. This progress reflects growing alignment among the African Group, the Asia-Pacific Group, the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) and Indigenous Peoples and local communities, with the Like-Minded Countries playing an important role as a cross-regional group. Building greater convergence among them, in particular on the obligations the instrument will create, will be important ahead of the 2027 WIPO Assemblies.
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South Centre Statement to the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization: Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings, July 7 to 15, 2026
Statement delivered today by the South Centre at the 68th Series of Meetings of the WIPO Assemblies (Geneva, 7–15 July 2026):
The South Centre reaffirmed that development is integral to WIPO’s mandate as a UN specialized agency, and that IP rules must strike a fair balance with the public interest — including access to educational materials, health technologies, and green technologies — in line with the SDGs.
Key points raised:
🔹 As the WIPO Development Agenda approaches its 20th anniversary, the Assemblies should reaffirm and strengthen it in 2027.
🔹 Concern that standing committees are not reporting to the General Assembly on Development Agenda implementation, as decided in 2017.
🔹 A call for real progress on copyright limitations and exceptions, and on protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.
🔹 A call on the Coordination Committee to respect geographical and gender balance in staff recruitment under Staff Regulation 4.2 — flagging that the proposed Deputy Director General appointments skew toward developed countries and reduce gender balance, leaving three regional groups, including Asia and the Pacific, unrepresented.
The South Centre reiterated its commitment to supporting developing countries and LDCs, including graduating members, in using the full policy space and flexibilities of the IP system to meet their development needs.
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