CIEL and partners publish reports and presentations from a Capacity Building Workshop on the Relationship between the World Intellectual Property Organization and the Convention on Biological Diversity

February 21, 2008

Since its inception, discussions in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Working Group on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) have continuously referred to the World Intellectual Property Organization. In particular, some delegations have argued that intellectual property related issues such as the protection of traditional knowledge and disclosure of origin in patent applications are best left to WIPO to negotiate and implement. In addition, WIPO has been an active participant in ABS deliberations, having been invited to present studies and research on work related to ABS discussions. The co-sponsors organized the meeting to meet a demand from indigenous, observer (NGO’s) and other local community participants in the ABS discussions to gain more information and clarity regarding the nature and scope of the formal and informal relationship between the ABS Working Group and WIPO, particularly in the context of the states’ elaboration and negotiation of a proposed international regime on access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge and benefit sharing. With the understanding that the proposed international regime will undoubtedly include intellectual property components and linkages with existing WIPO conventions, treaties and processes, Indigenous peoples require educational forums and opportunities to engage with Indigenous and other experts familiar with WIPO, the CBD and other relevant international bodies. This capacity-building workshop was organized to meet these identified needs.

The Meeting Report is available here.

The meeting included:

• Presentation by Debra Harry, Indigenous People’s Council on Biocolonialism

• Presentation (by Le’a Kanehe, Indigenous People’s Council on Biocolonialism

• Presentation by Dalindyebo Shabalala, Center for International Environmental Law

• Presentation [Pending] by Viviana Figueroa, Juventud Indigena Argentina

The meeting was Chaired by Estebancio Castro Diaz from the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC).

For more information, please contact Dalindyebo Shabalala.