Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) engaged in discussions regarding future pandemic preparedness and the implementation review of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) at a recent meeting held on April 26, 2024.
During the meeting, members agreed to rename the agenda item concerning intellectual property (IP) and COVID-19 to "IP, COVID-19, and Pandemic Preparedness" to better reflect the focus on pandemic preparedness moving forward.
Delegations also addressed a communication from Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, and India regarding "TRIPS for Development: Post MC13 Work on TRIPS-Related Issues" and were updated on IP-related domestic measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regarding the TRIPS implementation review, members expressed interest in resuming the review function, with the aim of launching a new review cycle in July 2024. The new Council Chair, Ambassador Sofía Boza of Chile, will hold consultations to explore potential topics for the review.
Additionally, discussions took place on non-violation and situation complaints (NVSCs) under the TRIPS Agreement, with members agreeing to refrain from initiating such complaints until recommendations are made to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference.
Ambassador Pimchanok Pitfield emphasized the importance of returning to substantive discussions on the matter of NVSCs to find a permanent solution.
The meeting also included discussions on IP awareness and creators, with a paper submitted by the group "Friends of IP and Innovation" addressing the challenges faced by creators in protecting their intellectual property rights.
Furthermore, the Secretariat presented the fourth "Annual Report on Notifications and other Information Flows," urging delegations to fulfill their notification obligations under the TRIPS Agreement.
In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the TRIPS Agreement, a High-level Dialogue was held to discuss the impact of the agreement and future challenges for IP policy in the face of technological advancements.
The event provided a platform for representatives to exchange views on the importance of IP in protecting creators' contributions to society and to address the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights in a rapidly changing technological environment.