Workshop on Aid for Trade and Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property (IP) is a fundamental pillar of the multilateral trading system. IP influences innovation, access to knowledge, technological development, and plays an important role in both competitiveness and sustainable development. Protection and enforcement of IP rights can facilitate the transfer and dissemination of technology.

Participation at the Workshop is restricted to WTO Members and Observers only

IP can help add value to exports from developing and least-developed country (LDCs). Some developing countries have become major users of various forms of IP protection, including patents, trademarks and copyrights. Yet others, notably LDCs, still struggle with basic implementation of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (the TRIPs Agreement).

The aim of the Workshop on Aid for Trade and Intellectual Property is to examine how developing, and in particular LDCs, can use IP in support of economic growth and development — and how development partners can support this process through their Aid-for-Trade (AfT) support. The workshop will examine various examples of AfT support for IP strategies and discuss the implications for future AfT support. The workshop complements a symposium on the priority needs of LDCs to implement the TRIPS Agreement to be held on 31 October to 2 November 2012.

Background Note by the Secretariat: WT/COMTD/AFT/W/38.

Agenda

	3 p.m. — 3.15 p.m.
		Introductory remarks Audio: Valentine Rugwabiza, Deputy Director-General
	SESSION 1:	AID FOR TRADE, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT — CONCEPTS AND APPROACHES
	3.15 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.
	World Trade Organization:	Intellectual Property and Development: The TRIPS Agreement
		Anthony Taubman, Director, Intellectual Property Division, World Trade Organization Intellectual Property: Why is it important for trade and development? The TRIPs Agreement and Development LDCs and Aid for Trade
	WIPO:	Intellectual Property and Development: The Role of WIPO
		Joe Bradley, Head, Intergovernmental Organizations and Partnerships Section, World Intellectual Property Organization Intellectual Property and Development: WIPO’s approach Mobilizing Aid for Trade support for Intellectual Property
	ITC:	ITC experience of building Intellectual Property into Aid-for-Trade programmes
		Jacky Charbonneau, Director, Division of Market Development, International Trade Centre Integrating Intellectual Property in ITC’s activities Value addition and national Intellectual Property frameworks Examples of ITC work on IP: Creative Industries in Mozambique, Cuba and Senegal, Trade in Sounds, Cloves in Tanzania > Presentation
	Discussion
	Audio: Listen to Session 1 > help
	SESSION 2:	AID FOR TRADE, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT — PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES
	4.30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
	Govt. of Thailand:	Intellectual Property and Development: Thailand’s experience
		Chakra Yodmani, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Thailand Thailand’s development path and Intellectual Property Intellectual Property and Aid for Trade: support received and offered by Thailand > Presentation
	SECO:	Switzerland’s Intellectual Property cooperation with Vietnam and Lao PDR
		Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property Building a WTO compliant legal and institutional framework in Vietnam Support to bring Intellectual Property into public focus Transferring Intellectual Property expertise to Lao PDR (triangular cooperation) > Presentation
	Govt. of Uganda:	Intellectual Property and Development: Uganda’s experience
	Govt. of Uganda:	Elizabeth Tamale, Assistant Commissioner, Internal Trade Department, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Uganda Uganda’s development path and Intellectual Property Intellectual Property and Aid for Trade: support received by Uganda > Presentation
	Discussion
	Audio: Listen to Session 2 > help

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