Alejandro Roca Campaña from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently expressed his organization's willingness to enhance its collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO), utilizing its expertise in IP innovation to contribute to technology transfer discussions. The members of the Working Group showed their support for WIPO's request for observer status, in line with the mandate given by the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration. This declaration urges the Working Group to continue collaborating with other relevant international organizations, considering the shared interests between WIPO and the Working Group.
The members also deliberated on two proposals presented by India and the African Group. These proposals highlighted themes that could be prioritized by the Working Group to augment technology flows towards developing economies. The suggested themes encompass leveraging technologies for trade facilitation, boosting agricultural productivity and resilience, and promoting environmentally friendly technologies to combat climate change. The members welcomed these proposals and considered potential strategies for implementation.
Ambassador Ališauskas stated his intention to start consultations with members to collect their opinions on future steps, including how work should be structured. He quoted, “Ministers have recognized in the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration the role of this working group and encouraged the continuation of our work. There is a need for us to reassess the current status of our work and to structure it going forward to deliver substantively.” The next meeting of this Working Group is set for 11 July 2024.
Several provisions in WTO agreements emphasize the necessity for technology transfer between developed and developing economies. However, there is ambiguity regarding how such transfers occur practically and whether specific measures within WTO could stimulate these technology flows.
The Working Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology was initiated at the Doha Ministerial Conference in 2001. Its purpose is to explore the relationship between trade and technology transfer from developed economies towards developing ones, as well as ways to increase this flow.
The Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration from February 2024 acknowledges the role of the Working Group on Trade and Technology Transfer in coordinating technology transfer discussions within WTO and promoting their continuation.