WIPO General Assembly considered over 35 issues, including reports of 47 ministers of WIPO member states, who offered to continue work in protection of intellectual property and proposed ways of bilateral cooperation and coordination efforts.

Member states signaled strong support for the Organization’s strategic realignment with the endorsement of a program and budget for the 2010/11 biennium that boosts WIPO’s development-related activities, emphasizes the need to advance the Organization’s normative work, and further upgrades its services to the private sector. The member states also agreed to renew the mandate of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, Folklore and Genetic Resources (IGC).

After intense yet constructive discussions held over several days, member states adopted a clearly defined work plan and terms of reference to guide the IGC’s work over the next two years. States agreed that the IGC would undertake negotiations with the objective of reaching agreement on a text of an international legal instrument (or instruments), which would ensure the effective protection of genetic resources (GRs), traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs). The decision also provided for three inter-sessional meetings of working groups to take place in 2010/11, in addition to the four regular sessions of the IGC.

Work over the next two years will build on the previous work of the IGC. The basis for text-based negotiations will be the existing WIPO working documents on GRs, TK, and TCEs. The IGC is to submit to the 2011 General Assembly the text (or texts) of an international legal instrument(s) which would ensure the effective protection of GRs, TK and TCEs. The 2011 session of the General Assembly would then decide on convening a Diplomatic Conference. WIPO Director General Francis Gurry said this “significant” decision gave the IGC “a robust and clear mandate over the next two years.” He called this “a real step forward” for the Organization.

Member states approved a budgetary allocation for 2010/11 amounting to 618 million Swiss francs (CHF), which represents a 1.6% (CHF 9.8 million) decrease compared to the current financial period, reflecting the impact of the global economic crisis on WIPO’s services. Almost one-fifth (some 118 million CHF) of the Organization’s budget is allocated across programs for capacity-building and development-related activities to strengthen the participation of developing and least developed countries in the benefits of the knowledge economy. An additional 4.5 million CHF was specifically allocated for the implementation of Development Agenda projects.

Delegations expressed strong support for the project-based approach proposed by the Committee and Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP), which will accelerate efficient implementation of the Development Agenda. Member states reaffirmed their commitment to the Development Agenda which they identified as a key priority for the Organization, and stressed the importance of ensuring that adequate human and financial resources are allocated to its implementation. The General Assembly also urged the CDIP to develop a coordination mechanism for monitoring, assessing and reporting on the implementation of recommendations. The CDIP is to submit a report on this matter to the General Assembly at its 2010 session.

Member states took note of the status of work relating to the three issues currently under discussion within the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), namely, the rights of broadcasting organizations, the rights of performers in their audiovisual performances and exceptions and limitations. Delegations expressed support for continued work in these areas with a view to concrete progress.

The General Assembly noted a report on the work of the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP), including the Committee’s decision to commission five studies on exclusions, exceptions and limitations, including a public policy, socio-economic and developmental perspective; on technical solutions to improve greater access to, and dissemination of, patent information; on the client-attorney privilege; and on transfer of technology and on opposition systems.

The Uzbek department said Mr. Amanov delivered national report of Uzbekistan at the meeting of the Committee on Intelectual Property Development. He also participated at the fourth session of the UN European Economic Commission. During this meeting, Amanov delivered a report on creation of favourable conditions for innovative development and competitiveness on the base of knowledge.