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WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (Special Session) - EU Statement

15.09.2023
Geneva
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (Special Session)

Geneva, 4-8 September 2023

Opening Statement

 

Chair,

  1. On behalf of the European Union and its Member States, let me first thank you and your Vice-Chairs for your efforts to facilitate work in the IGC on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. We would also like to thank the Secretariat for preparing this Special Session.
  2. As regards potential outcomes of the negotiations, we would like to reiterate our view that any international instrument on GR and ATK, which have an impact on the patent system, should support a balanced and flexible approach. We have studied the text that is going to be the basis of the debates and we are happy to share our views on our preferred wording in the articles.
  3. The EU and its Member States remain committed to engaging constructively during this Session, as well as in the Preparatory Committee meeting, and in the Diplomatic Conference that is ahead of us.

Thank you.