WIPO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1. The General Assembly was concerned with the following items of the Consolidated Agenda (document AB/XXXI/1 Prov.2): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29 and 30.

2. The report on the said items, with the exception of items 4, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 27 is contained in the General Report (document AB/XXXI/12).

3. Ms. Sheila Batchelor, Chair of the General Assembly, presided over the meetings of the General Assembly.

4. The Chair of the General Assembly, Ms. Sheila Batchelor (Canada), noted that paragraph 5 of document WO/GA/XXI/1 was divided into two parts. With the consent of the Assembly, she announced that the General Assembly would deal initially only with the first part of paragraph 5 inviting the General Assembly to act upon the nomination of the WIPO Coordination Committee. With respect to the second part of the paragraph, the Chair noted that the WIPO Convention provided, in Article 9(3), that the Director General shall be appointed for a fixed term, which shall be not less than six years. The General Assembly would return to the term and conditions of the appointment after consultations among the Group Coordinators.

Nomination to the Post of Director General of WIPO

5. The outgoing chairman of the WIPO Coordination Committee, Ambassador Wilhelm Höynck (Germany), reported that the Coordination Committee, at its meeting held on March 18 and 19, 1997, had nominated Dr. Kamil Idris for appointment to the post of Director General of WIPO.

Appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris as Director General of WIPO

6. On the basis of the nomination made by the Coordination Committee, the General Assembly appointed, unanimously and by acclamation, Dr. Kamil Idris as Director General of WIPO. Thus the conditions required as far as the Assemblies of the Paris and Berne Unions are concerned were also fulfilled.

7. In announcing to Dr. Kamil Idris the decision of the WIPO General Assembly, the Chair of the Assembly congratulated the Director General elect and invited him to make a statement.

8. The Director General elect made the following statement:

"Madam Chair,

"Distinguished Delegates,

"I have long admired, Madam Chair, the inspiration and determination that you have brought to the difficult challenges of multilateral diplomacy, and I should like to extend my congratulations and appreciation for the leadership you have demonstrated in accepting the Presidency of the WIPO General Assembly.

"The Assembly has done me a great honor and bestowed on me a heavy responsibility in appointing me Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. I pledge to honor, with all loyalty, discretion and conscience, the trust and confidence placed in me.

"I sincerely thank all the member States for this appointment. I wish also to express my profound gratitude to the African Group in Geneva and the Organization of African Unity for presenting my candidature to the post of Director General.

"My acceptance of this appointment is inspired by my commitment to the basic mission of WIPO of promoting creativity through the protection of intellectual property. I believe that with political imagination, with goodwill and with collaboration among member States, market-sector interests and the Secretariat, this mission can be advanced.

"I should like to pay tribute to the vision, foresight and energy of Dr. Arpad Bogsch, an exceptional thinker and leader. It is he who, through his talent and drive, coupled with his profound knowledge, has given the Organization the shape, vitality and strength that it has today.

"Distinguished Delegates,

"I am acutely conscious that the Organization of which you have appointed me Director General is unique in having a dual character as both an intergovernmental organization which serves the international community of States, and a global, market-oriented organization which serves the interests and needs of a large, dynamic and growing market of users. These two features of the Organization's character are mutually reinforcing. As an intergovernmental organization, WIPO is, through its member States, responsible for the formulation, at the international level, of the policy framework which best encourages creativity and the generation and valorization of intellectual property. As a market-oriented organization, WIPO is, through its Secretariat, entrusted with the task of providing the various services that form part of the framework that its member States have decided is most conducive to the beneficial protection of intellectual property in an increasingly internationalized marketplace.

"This dual character of WIPO requires, in my view, special operational and managerial principles in order to ensure that the Organization can successfully meet the expectations of its constituents.

"WIPO generates substantial revenue. While this revenue is produced through the provision of services to the market sector, it is not the private revenue of a private enterprise, but revenue held in trust by an intergovernmental organization for the benefit of Government and the market sector. Accountability is thus, for me, a first and fundamental principle of the Organization. To give expression to this principle, I intend to initiate, in the first program and budget that I shall have the honor to present for the consideration of member States, two measures. The first will involve the establishment of a management and oversight mechanism to oversee the financial operations and investments of the Organization. The second will involve the creation of a contracts review facility with regard to all contractual obligations undertaken by the Organization.

"Accountability is credible when the oversight system of the Organization is transparent. Consequently, transparency, in my view, is a second fundamental principle which must be reflected in every aspect of the planning, formulation and implementation of the Organization's policies and activities. I am thus particularly committed to introducing the most appropriate and effective means by which the structure of the Organization and its program and budget may be made additional tools of communication between the Organization and its member States.

"The importance which intellectual property has assumed requires a more effective collaboration, and a mutually responsive relationship, between member States, market-sector interests and the Secretariat to enable the Organization to keep pace with technological, economic, social and cultural changes. Thus, a third basic principle is that this Organization be oriented by its member States with regard to these changes. They are in direct touch with the developments relevant to the Organization's mandate that need to be addressed at the international level.

"Distinguished Delegates,

"I stressed, at the outset, the unique nature of the Organization of which you have appointed me Director General. I am equally cognizant of the unique time at which you have appointed me to this office. This globe is at the eve of a new century. An era of rapid technological advancement is upon us. At this crossroad, all, in whatever part of the globe, must work together to face the challenges that this awakening dawn brings.

"It is a time in which, because of the central importance of intellectual property to public policy, the demands being made on the Organization are becoming greater and greater and, because of the speed of technological change, the time frames within which those demands have to be met are becoming shorter and shorter. The explosion of international economic activity and the consequent need for swift action is a major cause of this development.

"The increasing focus on intellectual property and the speed of technological change require, in my view, special attention in a number of ways in the program and budget of the Organization and in its structure. As the international organization responsible for intellectual property, it is indispensable that WIPO keep pace with developments in, and the potential of, information technology, both in its internal operations and in the delivery of the services that it renders. I regard the information technologies project to be of great importance to the enhancement of the capacities of all member States to share equally in its benefits and, thus, in the future of this Organization. In a related vein, I consider the use of the Internet by the Organization as a means of communicating with member States and the private users of the services of WIPO to be crucial. I would like to see the WIPO web-site become the principal global resource for current information on intellectual property.

"While electronic networks can vastly improve WIPO's capacity to communicate to the private users of its services, the pace of technological change requires also that we explore new ways to give a reciprocal expression to the voice of the users. WIPO must have direct access to market-sector perceptions of how the world's technological base is evolving. I intend to propose, in the forthcoming program and budget, the establishment of two high-level commissions: an Industry Advisory Commission and a Policy Advisory Commission, the former to be composed of eminent representatives of industry and the latter to be composed of eminent individuals. It is my hope that these two commissions may play an effective role in the identification of issues that need to be addressed by the Organization and of strategies for tackling those issues. The role of the commissions can never replace that of the member States in the initiation and monitoring of the program of the Organization. Their function will be advisory.

"These two Commissions may also be considered to be part, but part only, of an answer to a broader challenge that I consider now confronts the Organization, namely, the challenge of adapting the Organization's program and working methods and procedures to the speed of technological change. One may ask how a program fixed in advance for a two-year period can include sufficient flexibility to accommodate the need for a creative response to unique and imposing opportunities. The possibility for WIPO to contribute to the protection of intellectual property on the Internet through the provision of services for resolving domain name disputes is a case in point. Similarly, one may ask whether the process of multilateral negotiations in successive Committees of Experts leading to the conclusion of a new treaty, together with the long process of subsequent ratifications and accessions before the entry into force of the new treaty, are still the only appropriate methods for the development of new norms in areas of rapid technological change. This is not an easy question and I count on the collaboration of all in seeking effective answers for the benefit of both copyright and industrial property.

"I am conscious that the future of the Organization in norm-making is not just a question of how new instruments can best be brought into existence, but also, and more importantly, it depends on their character and on the subject-matter to which those instruments are directed. I consider it essential that the constituents of WIPO, as well as the Secretariat, take a critical look at the methods and direction of the activities of the Organization in this area.

"I am also convinced that there are new ways in which the Organization can be of service in securing a more effective protection of intellectual property which may not necessarily involve only the establishment of norms. The best and most comprehensive legislative code is of little value if the means do not exist to enforce the rights established by that code. How the Organization could be of assistance in handling the question of enforcement, and the plague of counterfeiting and piracy, is a vital issue on which I would welcome views and proposals.

"The effective functioning of the intellectual property system also requires facilities extending beyond civil and criminal action in respect of counterfeiting and piracy. A legislative code can be frustrated by long delays and excessive cost in court proceedings for resolving the many disputes that inevitably occur in the course of the exploitation of intellectual property. I am confident that, as a dispute-resolution mechanism, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center can be of great service as an alternative, neutral and cost-effective forum for resolving international intellectual property disputes in an age in which commercial transactions which cross national boundaries are routine.

"Two successful areas of the Organization's activities concern the provision of services that enable the owners of intellectual property to obtain, more easily, protection for their rights in an efficient and cost-effective manner in several countries. I refer to the Patent Cooperation Treaty-the PCT-and the Madrid System for the international registration of marks. These two systems are the major source of revenue for the Organization.

"It is vital that, in respect of the PCT and the Madrid System, the Organization provide service of the highest quality. It is imperative that we constantly seek means of ensuring the continuing success of both systems. For the Madrid System, there is the additional challenge of attracting a wider range of participating States. This challenge will require, on the part of all, political will to pave the way for global participation in the system. I intend to open a round of consultations with Governments and interested circles to ascertain the obstacles they face and the solutions they could embrace in clearing the way to a wider acceptance of this system, as well as of other treaties administered by WIPO.

"The speed of technological change is, for an international organization, not merely a matter of dealing with the challenges that it raises for the most technologically advanced. The speed of change enlarges the gap between the most advanced and the least advanced. I consider it to be the responsibility of an international organization to endeavor, through its program of cooperation for development, to mitigate the disadvantageous effects of rapid change on the developing and least developed countries.

"This is not simply a question of awareness-building, but rather one of the necessity for structured design of programs of cooperation for development. Such a structured design should be, in my view, based on two premises. The first is the need to concentrate on institutions that are built to leave a lasting legacy. In this regard, human resource development is crucial. I intend to propose the focussing of the resources available for human resource development under a central WIPO Worldwide Academy, which can also be a forum for exposing policy-makers in governments to the role and implications of intellectual property in economic and social systems. The second is the need to orient programs increasingly to the national, and not merely to the regional, level. A national orientation allows for greater focus on individual and particular needs, and for a greater possibility of designing tailor-made programs that respond specifically to those needs. This orientation should also lend support to efforts by groups of countries to pool resources in sub-regional or regional endeavors.

"I regard the WIPO program of cooperation for development, and the pursuit of a greater impact of that program, as being essential to the interests of all member States, whether developed or developing. In a world in which commercial and economic relations are increasingly international, the capacity of the developing countries and the countries in transition to a market economy to participate on an equal footing and to provide a hospitable environment for technological and commercial collaboration with their partners in the industrialized countries is an essential condition of a healthy global economy. Improvement in the quality of life in the less advanced will be to the advantage of all in so far as it improves the overall quality of life on our planet.

"Distinguished Delegates,

"It is apparent to all that we live in an age of increasing interdependence, which affects all the dimensions of our existence, including the Organization's relations with other international organizations. In such an age, I consider, therefore, that the fourth basic principle should be that WIPO should reach out to its partners in the United Nations family of organizations and to the World Trade Organization to ensure that the expertise and knowledge that WIPO possesses is also placed at the service of its sister organizations. This would seem to be particularly necessary as intellectual property assumes increasing importance and thus becomes a factor in a range of fields as diverse as indigenous technology, intangible heritage, folklore, the exchange of meteorological data and trade relations. I look forward to exploring such global issues and to making available WIPO's expertise, in an open and constructive manner, to other international organizations to provide assistance for the protection of intellectual property in the post-TRIPS era.

"It is the responsibility of the Secretariat to give content to the direction established with member States. I consider, therefore, that the fifth basic principle should be that the management of the Organization rests with the Secretariat. It is relevant here to recall the exclusively international character of the responsibilities of the Director General and the staff as enshrined in the WIPO Convention. I intend to review the internal structure of the Organization and to strive for the widest possible geographical distribution in the deployment and recruitment of staff. The measures taken to this end must also be consistent with ensuring that staff of the highest quality are attracted and retained. I intend, in this latter respect, also to institute a policy of staff development to ensure that the Secretariat is adequately equipped with the latest skills and resources to allow for the appropriate devolution of executive decision-making and responsibility.

"I mentioned the expertise and knowledge that WIPO possesses and I should like, here, to pay tribute to the staff of this Organization. My appointment as Director General is itself a tribute to the staff of this Organization and a vote of confidence in them by the member States. I am proud to have been able to work with so many fine colleagues and I am proud to have the opportunity to lead such a talented, efficient and dedicated team in the service of the international community.

"Distinguished Delegates,

There is no shortage of ideas or ideals, nor do we lack a suitable forum for their realization. But ideas, ideals and a forum ring empty without commitment on the part of all member States, irrespective of the region or grouping from which they come, and without consensus. Our common mission is to use our commitment to find consensus for the changes which will move the World Intellectual Property Organization into the next millennium."

Statements of Congratulations to the New Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, and of Homage to the Outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch

9. The following statements, reported in the order of their delivery, were made.

10. The Delegation of Cameroon made the following statement:

"My Delegation and I are quite delighted and extremely satisfied at the election by acclamation of Dr. Kamil Idris to the post of Director General of WIPO. For us on the Cameroonian Delegation, as for many others, the election of Dr. Kamil Idris is an exceptional event, a real turning point, indeed a new start for our Organization. For, in the recollection of the members of this Organization, it is the first event of its kind experienced by us in the present setting in almost quarter of a century. This in itself is proof that the world is moving, that the United Nations and the other specialized agencies are moving, and that WIPO was also bound to move, without just reacting to a fashion trend but rather by working on the topmost rungs of the ladder. While delighting in the elegance with which this change is taking place, we must not forget that the search for success at this session of the General Assembly and our concern to facilitate the confirmation of the election of the new Director General of WIPO were at the center of the work of the last session of the Coordination Committee, which took place here on March 18 and 19, 1997, under the so worthy and exemplary chairmanship of the Ambassador of Germany, His Excellency Mr. Wilhelm Höynck. On behalf of my Delegation I wish to congratulate him on the clear-sightedness, efficiency and impartiality that he showed throughout the difficult eliminatory stages involving the ten gallant candidates, qualities that do credit to his country and to himself.

"As for Mr. Kamil Idris, this worthy son of Africa, I wish to convey to him all the happiness and pride that my Delegation and I feel as a result of his brilliant election. Once again we address to him our sincere and fraternal congratulations as well as our heartfelt wishes for every success in his new position. We are certain that his personal charisma, his innate sense of human relations, his perfect knowledge of the Organization and his intellectual and moral values will be his best assets when he faces all the challenges arising from the internationalization that he has just spoken of and from the indispensable convergence that it dictates. We should like to think that, in electing him by acclamation a moment ago, the member States wished to signal not only that they had decided to place their lasting trust in him, but also that they were willing, should the occasion arise, to give him their backing and support. We have just listened attentively and with great pleasure to the first official speech of the new Director General. We have been pleased to note the creative spirit that characterizes his program, and the priority that he is according to certain categories of both multilateral and national projects, such as the creation of the Worldwide Intellectual Property Academy, the reaffirmation of the necessity and importance of development cooperation for the benefit of developing countries, the placing of appropriate means of taking action at the disposal of staff, the guarantee of staff independence, the introduction of transparency, the creation of two high-level Advisory Commissions, the giving of priority to national projects and the reinvigoration of cooperation between States and the private sector, to mention only those. All this reflects a clear vision of the future of our Organization, and testifies to a pressing need for change at WIPO with respect to many areas of concern. We cannot but support the new Director General in this direction.

"In view of all the foregoing, Madam Chairman, we consider it necessary, in the present context, to arrange for the new Director General, in the immediate future, to have access to the Secretariat, to the entire staff and also to States and other institutions in order that he may engage in consultations with a view to discharging the duties that have already been entrusted to him by a number of bodies of our Organization. An explicit mandate to that effect would make it possible for the Organization itself, as a whole, to start adapting to the evolving world by incorporating the new parameters that have emerged from the reform process within the United Nations and the demands of the various sessions of the Budget Committee. By that I mean the combined Budget Committee and Premises Committee. Madam Chairman, there is reason to fear that the albeit transitory two-headedness that is liable to manifest itself from now on may jeopardize the relatively clement working climate prevailing at the present time. I would not want to conclude my address without congratulating you, Madam Chairman, on your election to the chairmanship of this twenty-first session of our General Assembly, which history will remember as the session of democratic change. Our congratulations go also to your predecessor, of whom we have excellent memories, and also the other officers, not to mention all the Regional Groups and their tireless coordinators, whose cooperation and sense of fair play have enabled the election of Mr. Kamil Idris to take place in a warm and friendly atmosphere; we showed this a moment ago with our standing ovation. My congratulations go also to Dr. Bogsch, the outgoing Director General, for all the constructive things that we have done together in the interest of this Organization for more than half of his tenure at the head of WIPO, and I wish him good luck and the opportunity to enjoy his well-earned retirement for as long as possible. Finally, we address grateful thoughts to the International Bureau as a whole for its professionalism and its availability to member States.

"In conclusion, Madam Chairman, I wish to call upon all member States of WIPO to make every effort to facilitate as best they can the onerous task of the new Director General, and to contribute to the effective and dynamic operation of WIPO in all its areas of activity."

11. The Delegation of the United States of America made the following statement:

"In taking the floor, I would like to first extend our congratulations to you on your election as Chairperson of the General Assembly. We believe that in this period of transition, we are lucky to have the services of someone of your stature and credentials to guide us. It goes without saying that we have absolute confidence in your capacity to effectively serve in this position, and we look forward to a very productive biennium under your leadership.

"Madam Chair, this year marks a milestone in the history of the institution of the World Intellectual Property Organization. For only the third time in its nearly 28 years of existence, WIPO will have a new Director General. The change in leadership of WIPO provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect on the significant contributions of a truly unique individual. Representing the country that is privileged to call Dr. Bogsch one of its nationals, it is appropriate that this Delegation take a moment to provide a brief tribute to him.

"It is a widely known fact that Dr. Arpad Bogsch has been one of the most dominating forces in the field of intellectual property rights for nearly half a century. Dr. Bogsch began his career in international intellectual property law in Paris in 1948 when he joined the Copyright Division of UNESCO. He came to the United States in 1954 and served in the United States Government for nine years as part of the United States Copyright Office and the Patent and Trademark Office, during which time he became a citizen of the United States. Dr. Bogsch returned to Europe in 1963 to join the senior management of the predecessor organization of WIPO, known as the International Bureau for the Protection of Intellectual Property or BIRPI. When WIPO was created, he became the Organization's first Deputy Director General.

"It is in one sense a tribute to Dr. Bogsch's talents that the three-year period from 1970 to 1973 marks the only period in WIPO's history where he has not been Director General. Indeed, since assuming the position of Director General in 1973, it has become difficult to distinguish the institution of the International Bureau from the man. Dr. Bogsch, at times single-handedly, has driven the diplomatic processes that have produced the most significant steps toward greater levels of protection for intellectual property rights around the world. To give you a sense of the magnitude of Dr. Bogsch's impact in the field of intellectual property protection, consider the events that have occurred and the institutions that have been established and flourished under his leadership.

The International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization was established and has since grown to become the preeminent institution in the world with expertise in the field of intellectual property.

The headquarters building that serves as one of Geneva's most distinctive architectural landmarks was constructed under his direction.

The Patent Cooperation Treaty was created and became operational under his leadership. Since its establishment, the PCT has grown to include 94 nations and is used today by thousands of inventors and businesses as a central element in their patent and business practices.

The Madrid Protocol was established to provide higher levels of protection for trademark owners and more consistency in the nature of trademark rights, and more recently, the Trademark Law Treaty was created to facilitate the process of obtaining trademark rights.

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of plants or UPOV was revised twice. It has since grown to include over 30 members, and serves as the de facto template of protection for plant breeders' rights around the world.

The Permanent Committee for Industrial Property Information was created, which led to the establishment of norms and standards for industrial property information and gave the world an accurate picture of the levels of activity in the various fields of industrial property rights.

And last December, the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty were created to update the protection of copyright in the new digital environment and to extend new levels of protection for audio performers and producers of phonograms.

"Simply listing the legal institutions that have been established or have flourished during his term would provide a very incomplete picture of Dr. Bogsch's achievements. Dr. Bogsch has made an immeasurable impact on the world's systems for the protection of intellectual property rights through his unrelenting efforts to assist nations in their efforts to establish the legal and administrative institutions that protect intellectual property. Either personally or through the International Bureau, WIPO has provided invaluable assistance to both developed and developing countries. We are not aware of a country or a region of the world that has not benefited from the wise counsel of Dr. Bogsch or his senior emissaries of the International Bureau of WIPO.

"In particular, Dr. Bogsch has made the provision of comprehensive assistance to developing countries a central tenet of the institution of the World Intellectual Property Organization. The hand of the International Bureau has always been extended to any developing country that has requested assistance in the development or improvement of its domestic intellectual property systems. Dr. Bogsch has personally focused his unlimited energy on the mission of development cooperation. The result is unprecedented success in establishing new levels of protection for the owners and users of intellectual property rights.

"Dr. Bogsch, due to your unrelenting efforts, the inventors, authors, businesses and consumers of the world who are dependent on the protection of intellectual property rights are in your permanent debt.

"My nation, which has been enriched and is absolutely dependent for its success on the intellectual contributions of its citizens, owes you a particular debt of gratitude. I would like to inform you that our President has transmitted to you a letter of appreciation on behalf of our Government.

"The footsteps of Dr. Arpad Bogsch are indeed hard ones to follow. Luckily, we are blessed with both the institution that Dr. Bogsch has created, and with an individual who has the capacity, integrity, intelligence and abilities to take the helm of the International Bureau and lead this institution to even greater success. This person is Dr. Kamil Idris.

"The vision of Dr. Idris, as we have just heard, demonstrates that he is well positioned to guide the International Bureau during its period of transition. Dr. Idris has been at the very heart of the International Bureau's activities for over a decade. He brings to the position of Director General the skills of a polished diplomat and a legal scholar as well as a wealth of personal relations with the nations of the world that will prove essential to the success of his position. We will lend our full support to Dr. Idris during his term of Director General. On behalf of my Government, I would like to extend our congratulations to you.

"The road ahead for WIPO and the International Bureau will contain many challenges. Principal among these is the role of assisting WIPO member States in the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement. We believe the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement offers an opportunity, rather than a challenge for WIPO and its member States. The opportunity arises through WIPO's role in helping to establish effective systems for granting and administering intellectual property rights. The United States cannot emphasize enough the importance of WIPO making infrastructure development its overriding priority during the next biennium.

"Consistent with this belief, the United States has proposed establishment of an Information Technologies Committee within WIPO. Through this institution, WIPO would be able to develop information technology solutions that can help offices establish and administer modern intellectual property systems. And the proposed global information network discussed in our meetings will give Dr. Idris an effective new tool to help WIPO provide effective training and education programs. Based on the discussions held over the past year, we are confident that the value of this initiative as a key component of WIPO's infrastructure development program is fully appreciated by the WIPO membership. Accordingly, we look forward to a constructive program of work over the next biennium on this topic.

"Madam Chair, we note that Dr. Idris has been asked to give his views on several significant issues during meetings in the past six months. He also must produce a new program and budget proposal by early next year. We would hope that Dr. Idris will have free access to the staff resources of the International Bureau now to ensure a smooth transition.

"In conclusion, we would like to offer again our appreciation for the immense contributions of Dr. Bogsch, and extend our warm congratulations to his successor, Dr. Kamil Idris."

12. The Director General of WIPO made the following statement:

"Madam the President of the General Assembly;

"Honorable Delegates;

"I wish to congratulate the new Director General both in my own name and in the name of his colleagues.

"His election by the member States was brilliant: unanimous and enthusiastic.

"Your colleagues and I are also greeting with enthusiasm your appointment.

"We are happy that it is one of us who is the next Director General. We worked with you, Kamil, for more than 15 years and I appointed you Deputy Director General in 1994. These periods allowed us to know and appreciate both your professional and human qualities to which I shall now briefly pay homage.

"You are a lawyer and a specialist of international law and intellectual property law. You are an excellent organizer and leader, a fact which you have proved during the many years you headed the International Bureau's sectors dealing with the Organization's external relations and industrial property development activities, activities of crucial interest to our developing country member States.

"In performing these tasks, you had ample opportunity to demonstrate your diplomatic skills. They are exceptional. Kamil Idris was a professional diplomat before he joined WIPO but he has not only diplomatic experience, he is a born diplomat.

"After your professional qualities I will briefly mention your human qualities which we also got to know: your brilliant intelligence, your uncompromising integrity, your kindness, your patience and your treating persons with the same courtesy whatever their professional rank.

"We also know that you are an exemplary, loving husband of your wife, Mrs. Azza Idris, and an exemplary and loving father of your four young children, Mohamed, Dinas, Dalia and Dahd.

"Mrs. Idris, our warmest congratulations go also to you. Your personality, your happy marriage, the patience with which you accept that your husband spends so much time in the office and official travel are and will be indispensable to give him the family life whose happiness makes the performance of official duties so much more easy and successful.

"In the performance of your duties, Kamil, you will have to rely heavily on your colleagues in the International Bureau. You know them, they know you, so that it is not difficult to predict that they will be at your disposal fully and enthusiastically. The first instance starts today: I asked them to be of immediate and direct assistance to you in particular in the preparation of your draft program and budget so that it should be ready for adoption the soonest possible. Needless to say, I shall be at your disposal during the rest of my term, whenever you so desire.

"So, my dear Kamil Idris, all the signs are good. Under your leadership WIPO will flourish. It will flourish to the full satisfaction of the member States and of the staff of the International Bureau. We ask God that he help you in your task. Insh Allah."

13. The Delegation of Ghana made the following statement:

"I would first of all like to congratulate you most sincerely on your election to preside over our General Assembly. At a time of transition, we could not be happier in your election, seeing the range of your admirable qualities. Our felicitations are also addressed to the other members of your Bureau.

"It is my singular honor and privilege to extend to Dr. Kamil Idris, on behalf of my Delegation, our warmest congratulations on his election as the new Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. His election is a source of immense joy and pride to us.

"To us the election of Dr. Kamil Idris is a fitting tribute not only to his years of devoted and distinguished service to the Organization but also to his courteous, warm, and affable nature and to his competence.

"Dr. Idris assumes office at a most challenging time--a time of rapid technological change and advancement, increasing globalisation, a growing appreciation of the indispensable contribution of intellectual property to development and hence the quality of life, and on the threshold of a new millennium. A great deal will, therefore, be expected of him. But we are confident of his success as he brings the full complement of his experience and sterling qualities to bear in the discharge of his functions.

"The Government of Ghana has every expectation that our cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization will be further enhanced during his tenure of office. In this regard, we note with satisfaction his vision of the Organization in the years ahead, particularly his emphasis on the need to concentrate on institutions which are built to leave a lasting legacy and the crucial importance of human resource development in that regard. Dr. Idris can count on the steadfast support of Ghana, and we look forward to working closely with him as the Organization enters the twenty-first century.

"Madam President, we note with profound appreciation, the talent, skill and dedication with which the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, has guided the Organization for almost a quarter of a century. The accomplishments of the Organization during that time, too numerous to recount, stand as an abiding monument to his leadership of 24 years.

"We seize this occasion to wish him continued good health, and a happy retirement."

14. The Delegation of Sri Lanka made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, let me congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris warmly and wholeheartedly, on his appointment as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. The unanimous decision made today by the member States of WIPO to appoint Dr. Idris to the post of Director General is a reflection of the trust and confidence they have in him, to guide this Organization during the challenging years ahead.

"Dr. Idris' appointment to the post of Director General of WIPO has been confirmed at a very crucial time. Globalization and liberalization, rapid and constant technological developments, and interdependence of economic issues, have already begun to raise new intellectual property rights issues and demand swift responses to them, thus placing an onerous responsibility on the Organization. Whilst attempting to meet the needs and expectations of the technologically advanced countries, there is a compelling need for this Organization to concentrate on the countries which are at risk of marginalization. They need to be assisted in their institution and capacity-building efforts to enable them to derive the maximum benefits through intellectual property protection.

"Being an international civil servant belonging to the developing world and in particular to Africa, and as a person who has never lost touch with the developing countries, Dr. Idris is better qualified to understand the expectations of those countries, and serve all member States of WIPO alike. In all his endeavors aimed at achieving the objectives of WIPO, he can always count on the unstinted cooperation and unswerving support of Sri Lanka.

"My Delegation has noted in his inspiring acceptance speech, a number of positive features which augur well for the future of this Organization. His enthusiasm for reforms through innovative and pragmatic proposals and the underlying reasons for such reforms merit serious consideration and follow-up action. My Delegation is particularly impressed by the main operational and managerial proposals enumerated in his statement. Implementation of them will undoubtedly be a watershed in the operation and management of the affairs of this Organization.

"There are a number of outstanding matters awaiting his assumption of duties. Those outstanding issues that relate to the effective and smooth functioning of the Organization need to be addressed urgently. It is, therefore, our hope that he will start concentrating on them from now on and deal with them expeditiously.

"On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, let me assure our fullest cooperation and support to Dr. Kamil Idris to carry out his future responsibilities as Director General of WIPO.

"Last, but not least, let me place on record our deep appreciation to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for the immeasurable and monumental contribution made by him to the development of this Organization. We recall with deep gratitude, numerous initiatives taken by him in the furtherance of the objectives of WIPO, and the services rendered by him with great dedication and a sense of commitment, which will be remembered by all for many years to come. We wish him well in whatever tasks he may undertake upon completing his term as Director General of WIPO."

15. The Delegation of Ecuador made the following statement:

"The Delegation of Ecuador wishes to address this General Assembly to deal with a topic that represents a historic moment for the World Intellectual Property Organization. The Delegation of Ecuador warmly congratulates Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment to the post of Director General of WIPO, and wishes him the best of success in the exercise of his new functions, for which I repeat to him my country's support in order to ensure that the results of his management will inure to the benefit of the recognition of the intellectual creations of mankind in the coming millennium.

"WIPO has distinguished itself among international organizations, and no doubt will continue to do so on the strength of the results that it has already achieved in the interest of the promotion and development of the cultural heritage of all peoples of the world, to which end it has executed a well-organized, continuous mission that is in keeping with the intellectual and scientific progress that mankind has made in the course of time.

"Ecuador looks forward with great expectation to seeing the management that bears the stamp of the new Director General, and hopes that it will strengthen the development cooperation work carried on by WIPO both in the field of industrial property and in that of copyright and neighboring rights.

"To that end and to others, an international organization of the size of WIPO must be broadly representative of all countries of the world, in such a way that the community of States may adopt balanced positions on the infinite range of subjects that come on to the WIPO agenda. The time has now come for the Delegation of Ecuador to express its thanks to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for his conduct of the administration of WIPO over the past decades. Ecuador recognizes the painstaking work that has gone into the administration of WIPO, which has enabled it to build itself up on solid foundations which will enable it, both today and in the future, to play a leading role among the agencies of the United Nations system.

"In this connection Ecuador feels that the new Director General of WIPO should immediately engage in consultations and contacts that will enable him to make the essential preparations for the effective exercise of his functions as from the first day of his term of office."

16. The Delegation of Côte d'Ivoire made the following statement:

"The General Assembly has just unanimously confirmed the decision, taken by the Coordination Committee last March, whereby you were given the reins of the World Intellectual Property Organization. This plebiscite is without any doubt recognition for your great professional as well as human qualities. While the entire WIPO family is celebrating your appointment, I should like to convey to you the pleasure and pride that I feel as an African. Pleasure and pride because your appointment above all provides proof that Africa is able to rise above the clichés that Afro-pessimists create for themselves and to offer the world men of high moral and intellectual quality.

"We are on the threshold of one of the most fascinating eras of human evolution, one that is full of challenges and promise. Challenges and promise are the seals that will characterize your term of office. Challenges because, with this election, which some will describe as historic, you are succeeding someone for whom admiration is the only sentiment that one can feel, so immense and praiseworthy has been the work that he has accomplished during 24 years at the head of WIPO.

"Dr. Arpad Bogsch, as it is to him that we are referring, may rightly be considered the father of WIPO, as he was its first Director General and directed it with the brilliant results that have made it one of the most envied organizations of the United Nations. The immensity of the work done should be sufficient to warrant his enjoyment, finally, of a well-deserved retirement.

"Any succession is bound to involve the drawing of parallels between past and future. Past, because it very felicitously provides a set of achievements on the basis of which a future may be prepared with serenity.

"The immediate future for you, which is the other challenge, consists in preparing WIPO to be more effective and more efficient as it enters the year 2000.

"An effective and efficient WIPO will be the one which, without stepping outside its original terms of reference, will seek to improve the quality of its services by making them more accessible; the one which, through its normative activity, will make sure that it has the best understanding of the changes that are bound to take place in such a way as to provide better protection for inventors, creators and indeed users; and the one that will also ensure that its cooperation with developing countries is made more effective and more credible because it is more in tune with the true circumstances and needs of those countries.

"It is against this background that I am greatly appreciative of the areas of emphasis proposed in your acceptance speech, which was a speech resolutely turned towards the future:

"to make the Organization effective through being open to the outside world;

"to make the Organization effective and accessible because it takes the social, economic and cultural circumstances of States into consideration;

"to make the Organization effective by giving it a means of facing up to the realities of its time;

"finally, to make the Organization more effective and more accessible in such a way as to enable it to play its bridging role between developed and developing countries.

"The bridge in question, or rather this focus of cooperation between developed and developing countries, occupied a very important place in your speech. The creation of the World Intellectual Property Academy, and your innovative approach to development cooperation, strengthened the hope that my Delegation has placed in your election.

"Africa in particular is expecting a great deal from its cooperation with WIPO. Indeed, at a time when the authorities of our continent are working together with other multilateral bodies on the mobilization of direct foreign investment in favor of Africa and on the promotion of technology transfer, there is no doubt that the strengthening of industrial property protection would reinforce the whole set of measures whose purpose is to make African States more attractive.

"To nurture in every creator, every inventor, that flame of hope, that faith that releases the creative genius dormant in each one of us, that is the true promise of WIPO.

"As you can see, the task awaiting you is enormous. The path leading to the attainment of the various objectives is neither smooth nor short. It will take time and courage to follow it. Courage you certainly have. As for time, for want of being able to control it, you can manage it in a rational way.

"This is why we are of the opinion that you should immediately embark on the necessary consultations both with your staff and with States, in order that you may discharge when the time comes the numerous tasks that have already been entrusted to you.

"I remain convinced that this plebiscite reflects the common will of States and also that of governmental and non-governmental organizations to assist you in this difficult and exalting mission.

"You will at all times be able to rely on the support of my country, Côte d'Ivoire. Once again, accept my warmest congratulations."

17. The Delegation of Luxembourg made the following statement:

"In the name of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, my country, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, wishes to salute warmly the appointment of the new Director General of WIPO, convinced as it is that Mr. Idris will acquit himself of the arduous task and the highly ambitious program that he outlined in his acceptance speech this morning with the competence and commitment that he has demonstrated in his earlier responsibilities.

"Allow me, Madam Chairman, to take this opportunity also to pay tribute to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, to whom WIPO is very deeply indebted for the predominant role that it now has in the protection and promotion of intellectual property at world level. Our sincere thanks go to the outgoing Director General for a great work accomplished, a work that in fact is more of an actual monument, which various speakers more eloquent than I have already mentioned and appropriately described. Our sincere congratulations and best wishes for the future go to the new Director General, whom I wish to assure of our full support as he rises to the challenges of our modern times.

"And finally, I turn to Dr. Bogsch himself in order to wish him a long life ahead, filled with happiness and health, during which time he may look with great pride and satisfaction on a lifetime dedicated to intellectual property."

18. The Delegation of Sweden made the following statement:

"Let me first of all, on behalf of my Delegation, take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as Chair. I should also like to congratulate the two Vice Chairpersons on their election. We look forward to cooperating in the discussions during the forthcoming days under your able leadership.

"Madam Chair, the Swedish Delegation would, in the first instance, like to warmly congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris for his election as the new Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

"My country feels that it has a somewhat special relationship to WIPO in view of the fact that the World Intellectual Property Organization was established at a Diplomatic Conference in Stockholm exactly 30 years ago. We therefore would like to express a particularly warm welcome to Dr. Idris in his new capacity. We are confident that under his leadership the Organization will not only maintain its leading role in the field of international intellectual property, but will also be able to meet all the new challenges of the twenty-first century.

"In our view, Dr. Idris is very well equipped to lead the Organization into the next millennium which will in many respects be crucial for the development of this increasingly important field of law. Dr. Idris has a long experience in the field concerned, proven diplomatic skills and an ability to understand and take into account various and sometimes conflicting views. He is well known and highly respected both among the Swedish authorities and interested circles in my country, and he enjoys a great confidence in the international intellectual property community. Also, his personal qualities and nice personality make him very much liked by everyone who meets him.

"Consequently, the Swedish Delegation, in addition to congratulating Dr. Idris for his election and expressing its full confidence in him, is looking forward very much to working together with him in the years to come.

"Dr. Idris mentioned the dual character of this Organization and also mentioned some interesting ideas about the future management of it, with a view to ensuring transparency and efficiency. This Delegation has listened with great attention to these ideas and welcomes the general thrust of them. I assure you that we will give them careful and positive consideration.

"Like always on these occasions, the Director General has submitted excellent and comprehensive reports concerning the activities of WIPO during 1996 and the first half of 1997. We are indeed impressed by and satisfied with the work done by the International Bureau, in particular in the field of development cooperation. Sweden has for many years contributed to the development activities of WIPO both financially and by putting experts at the disposal of WIPO when requested to do so. I can assure you that we will do so also in future. We expect for example to be able to organize and finance fully the annual industrial property and copyright courses in Stockholm for the benefit of an increasing number of participants from developing countries. Let me at this point express our thanks to the International Bureau for its cooperation in the organization of these courses. The Swedish Government will continue to consider, in a positive spirit, raising funds for other development cooperation activities proposed by WIPO.

"We note with great satisfaction the increasing use of the PCT system. The Swedish Patent and Registration Office has been an International Searching Authority and an International Preliminary Examination Authority since the start of the PCT in 1978. We are very pleased to be able to sign a contract with WIPO for another 10-year period in these capacities during this meeting of the Governing Bodies. As an International Searching Authority we received in 1996, 3,791 international applications, which corresponds to 8% of the total number of applications and places my office as the third biggest office in the world with respect to the volume of international searches. My modesty prevents me from drawing conclusions concerning our place on the top list if we compare the number of searches with the size of the population. The same relations apply to the volume of demands for preliminary examination of international patent applications. "I am now coming to the last point of my statement. The area of intellectual property, like other areas, has during the last years passed a phase of dramatic development of information technologies and it has become evident that there is a need to find uniform solutions to the specific application of those technologies in intellectual property. The purpose of such uniform solution would first and foremost be to safeguard functioning communications between the various offices and organizations that operate in this area. In July a Working Group on Information Technologies for Intellectual Property was convened here in Geneva. The Working Group adopted a number of conclusions and recommendations, which are contained in document WO/GA/XXI/5. Let me already at this point state that my Delegation fully agrees with those conclusions and recommendations."

19. Mr. Henry Olsson, speaking in his capacity as a member of the Swedish Delegation, made the following additional statement:

"Since its creation in Stockholm, this Organization has experienced an unprecedented growth and a remarkable increase in importance in pace with the growing importance of intellectual property in the economic and cultural environment of the world today. This has been achieved under the leadership of Dr. Arpad Bogsch. This Delegation wants to pay tribute to that excellent leadership and to congratulate Dr. Bogsch, in the first place, for his foresight and his early understanding of the importance of intellectual property in the world of today. We also want to compliment him warmly for the efficiency of his leadership of WIPO which is generally recognized as being one of the best run organizations in the United Nations system and for his tireless efforts in the promotion of intellectual property. He has undertaken innumerable missions to member States and he has, in many countries, been instrumental in the establishment of efficient and appropriate intellectual property systems.

"Dr. Bogsch has, since the Stockholm Diplomatic Conference, maintained particularly close and warm contacts with my country. This Delegation would therefore like to express its warmest gratitude to Dr. Bogsch for this long-standing cooperation with my country and for the friendship which he has shown towards myself and towards various Swedish officials over the years. It is in recognition of those relations and of the outstanding leadership of Dr. Bogsch that His majesty the King has conferred on Dr. Bogsch Commander, first class, of the Swedish Order of the Polar Star and also, on September 15, has received Dr. Bogsch in a personal audience.

"The Swedish Delegation to these Governing Bodies wants once more to thank Dr. Bogsch for his immense contributions to the development of the World Intellectual Property Organization and to wish him and his family a very enjoyable future."

20. The Delegation of Germany made the following statement:

"The first congratulations of my Delegation to you Ms. Chairperson. I am glad, Madam, to see you as Chair of our Assembly during this biennium.

"Dr. Idris, on behalf of the German Government I want to congratulate you on your new responsibility. We are glad we could find such an able and worthy successor to Dr. Bogsch and we trust that our cooperation will continue to be as close and successful as it has been during the past 24 years.

"There are several reasons why my Government is pleased with the choice of the General Assembly: first you know WIPO "from within" since you have been active here for 15 years. During this time you have been essential to the success of WIPO's development cooperation. This sector is crucial for the further success of WIPO' s mission, that is the promotion of the global protection of intellectual property rights. We are impressed by your broad range of academic distinctions and practical experience in the whole field of international law. And-last but not least-we value your cooperative and determined personality.

"We have listened with great attention to the inaugural speech of Dr. Idris. This was a very promising start. We will carefully study the proposals and appreciate the cooperative spirit which dominated the speech.

"I do feel we have found the right person to lead WIPO into the twenty-first century. Thank you.

"On behalf of the Delegation of Germany, I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to pay tribute to the outstanding achievements of the present Director General Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has devoted all his professional life to the protection of the arts and inventions. The 24 years during which he has led the World Intellectual Property Organization will be known to future generations as the "Bogsch era." This has been an era of tremendous development and great success for WIPO, and, under his leadership, for the protection of intellectual property rights and of the creative personality worldwide. It is impossible to summarize all his achievements and to give an idea of all the progress in the global protection of intellectual property that would not have been made without his knowledge, vision and tireless efforts at the head of this Organization.

"Under his determined leadership and commitment, the World Intellectual Property Organization, which he has been in a position to mould since its creation in 1970, has become one of the most successful, respected and efficient international organizations in the world. It is probably the only organization which has no financial problems, due to its effective management of the registration unions, in particular the PCT and the Madrid Unions.

"His distinguished career began already in 1963 with BIRPI. Since then, a substantial number of very important new treaties and revisions of existing conventions were drafted, prepared and brought into existence by Dr. Bogsch or under his intellectual guidance: the Convention establishing WIPO itself, the revisions of the Paris and Berne Conventions, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the Budapest Treaty, the Protocol to the Madrid Agreement, the Trademark Law Treaty and the IPIC Treaty, the important projects for a harmonization of patent laws, and the two most recent treaties which were concluded last December: the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty which respond to challenges posed by the global information society.

"Many of these treaties would not have come into existence without his ability of acting as an "honest broker" and as an inventor and promoter of compromise in all sorts of conflicts and controversies.

"Another great success has been cooperation with developing countries and with countries in transition. WIPO has under his leadership played a key role in promoting the protection of intellectual property by creating an awareness of its importance and by supporting the creation of the infrastructure necessary for its effective protection.

"Germany is especially proud of his interest in the German legal system which, inter alia, has found expression in his serving on the board (Kuratorium) of the Max-Planck Institute for Foreign and International Patent, Copyright and Competition Law in Munich. His close cooperation with my country and with this Delegation has always been guided by a feeling of mutual respect, trust, and friendship. His invaluable contributions to the strengthening of relations between Germany and WIPO were honored, in 1993, by one of the highest German decorations.

"On behalf of the German Government, but also on behalf of everybody in Germany who has had the pleasure of meeting him or working with him, I should like to express our deep gratitude for what he has achieved, for everything he has done in the field of intellectual property law."

21. The Delegation of Hungary made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Hungarian Delegation, I would like to express our satisfaction that this General Assembly has been able to appoint unanimously Mr. Kamil Idris as the new Director General of WIPO. We congratulate him on his election wholeheartedly. I wish to take this opportunity to wish success to Mr. Idris in leading this Organization to new achievements and at the same time I offer our readiness to continue cooperating with him also in his new function.

"The election of Mr. Idris to the post of Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization is a welcome event. In the person of Mr. Idris we have not only elected a competent manager and recognized specialist, but due to the fact that he is a son of Africa, his election has become a symbol for the enormous progress of the whole African continent. We are convinced that the election of Mr. Idris will be a contributing factor to the further development of the world intellectual property institutions which play, especially now in our technology driven era, a decisive role in the life of developing, developed and transition economies alike.

"One of the reasons why we are confident that the Director General elect will carry out his functions with success is the fact that the state of affairs in this Organization is excellent. I think we can state that WIPO has become the symbol of sound management and efficiency in the family of United Nations Organizations. The serious financial and managerial problems which so frequently hamper the efficient functioning of organizations are practically unknown in WIPO. We all know that the major contributor to the achievements of this Organization has been its present Director General Mr. Arpad Bogsch who has been 24 years at the helm of WIPO. Although this is not the time for farewell speeches as Mr. Bogsch remains the Director General until the end of November, in the context of the election of Mr. Idris, it is appropriate to express our thanks at the last meeting of the WIPO General Assembly to Mr. Bogsch for all he has done during his unprecedented career at WIPO. I am sure many of you share my view that without his firm and efficient leadership and commitment to the protection of intellectual property on a world-wide basis, the World Intellectual Property Organization would not be the same.

"The career of Mr. Bogsch has been an extraordinary one. In recognition of his outstanding profession and managerial qualities and the integrity of his personality he has been elected five times as Director General of this Organization. We Hungarians are particularly proud that Mr. Bogsch is a native son of Hungary. It is well-known that after he was already a young lawyer, he had to leave Hungary due to well known political reasons, in order to live in freedom and find creative working conditions.

"At the end of the 1950s, after several years of study and work in Paris and in Washington, Mr. Bogsch became a citizen of the United States of America. In 1963, he started to work in BIRPI, the predecessor of WIPO. As we know he has had a beautiful international career in the service of the whole international community. I think in this context it is totally appropriate to quote Socrates, the Athenian philosopher who said "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world."

"Mr. Director General, Dear Arpad, thank you again for your work, for your contributions to WIPO's great achievements. I wish you the successful continuation and finishing your term as Director General. I am sure that if one day the history of this Organization is written, readers will understand the meaning of the saying 'there is probably no history; only biography.'

"Dear Mr. Kamil Idris, we are convinced that you have the determination and the qualities which are needed to make the World Intellectual Property Organization, with the support of all delegations, ready to meet the challenges of the next century. We wish you all the best in your new function."

22. The Delegation of Chile made the following statement:

"I wish to start my intervention by congratulating you on your election to the Chairmanship of the Assembly at the thirty-first series of meetings of the WIPO Governing Bodies, which is an important milestone for the future of the Organization. I also extend our congratulations to the other Officers."

"First of all I should like, on behalf of the Government of Chile, to record our thanks and congratulations to the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, for the manner in which he has led the Organization over all these years. It is undoubtedly Dr. Bogsch who deserves the credit for having transformed WIPO, in the mid-nineteen-seventies, into a specialized agency of the United Nations system. We believe that Dr. Bogsch has made an important contribution to intellectual property, and he has unquestionably left his mark on the Organization.

"I should like also to address our congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his election as new Director General of the Organization. We are very pleased that a representative of a developing country has been chosen to direct the destiny of the Organization to whose activities Chile attaches great importance because of their implications for the world economy.

"We believe that Dr. Idris combines all the professional and human qualities needed to lead WIPO and to carry it into the new millennium as a useful Organization for Governments and users. His brilliant speech of acceptance this morning enabled us to appreciate in general terms his vision of the role that intellectual property and this Organization are called upon to play at the present time, a vision that this Delegation fully shares. We are certain that Dr. Idris will be successful in his office, and we hereby assure him of our full collaboration. We sincerely hope that this Assembly will give Dr. Idris a clear mandate that will enable him to embark without delay on the preparation of his draft program and budget in order that the projects that he outlined this morning may be incorporated in WIPO's activities for the next biennium.

"Madam Chairman, allow me to conclude this statement on a personal note. This delegate was fortunate to work very closely with Kamil Idris when, a few years ago, I had the privilege of occupying the position of Deputy Director General of WIPO, and to develop a firm friendship with him. It is therefore a particular personal pleasure for me to see my friend Kamil Idris elected to the position of Director General of this Organization, and from the bottom of my heart I wish him a term of office crowned with success."

23. The Delegation of Senegal made the following statement:

"My Delegation would first like to congratulate you most warmly on your election as Chairman of our Assembly. As we said this morning, with you the Assembly is in very good hands. We also address our congratulations to the other Officers.

"I would then like to pay due homage to the outgoing Director General. After 24 years of good and loyal service, Dr. Arpad Bogsch can be legitimately proud to leave WIPO after having made it an Organization that is strong, dynamic and the bearer of great hopes. Indeed, the work carried out by Dr. Bogsch together with his broad vision in many fields has brought to WIPO the success that we have witnessed and has brought him personally the marks of the satisfaction of our Governments.

"I am pleased to recall that in 1981 and 1992 the authorities of Senegal appointed Dr. Bogsch respectively to the rank of Commander and then of Grand Officer of the prestigious National Order of the Lion.

"Finally, Madam Chairman, the presence of Dr. Bogsch at the head of WIPO constituted for the developing countries a true occasion to gain awareness of the importance of intellectual property in the fight for development.

"We cannot therefore let this solemn moment go by without expressing to him, once more, our deep gratitude and without conveying to him our best wishes for the future.

"As to his eminent successor, Dr. Kamil Idris, we would like to express our great satisfaction and our great pride at his appointment to the head of one of the most important institutions of the United Nations system.

"Incontestably, there is today an encounter at the summit between a man and an Organization who know and appreciate each other. As an eminent lawyer, an expert in intellectual property law and international law, a diplomat of talent, Dr. Idris has great ambitions for WIPO. The job that awaits him is considerable. It is as big as the hopes that accompany his election. However, we know from our contacts with him that he is determined, and that is essential, to consolidate that which has been acquired and to give a new impulse to WIPO.

"We have also detected in him a firm resolution to reconcile the interests of all parties. We are convinced that he will create a climate of confidence, agreement, partnership and cooperation between our States by placing the whole of his energy, the whole of his know-how and the whole of his sensitivity at the disposal of WIPO. We express here therefore our full solidarity and our full availability to him.

"Senegal will always be present at his side to listen to him, to advise him and to encourage him. Our will is great, indeed, to remain in the vanguard of those numerous countries on which he will be able to count in accomplishing his mission in the best possible way.

"Mr. Director General Kamil Idris may our wishes for success accompany you and may God help you."

24. The Delegation of Kenya made the following statement:

"Madam President, allow me to join all distinguished speakers who have spoken before me in congratulating you on behalf of my Delegation for your well deserved election as President of the Assembly for the next biennium. Your election portrays a sense of balance from a gender point of view and gives a welcome indication of the type of line-up on the podium in the years to come.

"May I also take this opportunity to congratulate other members of the Bureau elected to the Assembly during this critical time of transition and rapid developments as we approach the new millennium.

"My Delegation wishes to pay tribute to the work of the outgoing President whose dignified guidance of the Assembly over the past two years has achieved overwhelming support of decisions made by members.

"It was a proud moment for my Delegation this morning as we listened to the views and vision of the new Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, which we found encouraging, constructive and pragmatic, but above all a positive step in the right direction. An illustrious person and one blessed with quick wit, Dr. Idris has special qualities admired by many of us, but most of all, he understands only too well the tasks ahead of him. What more can be said about his vision, his mission and his desires for an energized organization as we turn the century, than has been expressed in his acceptance speech? His guiding principles of accountability; transparency; participation of member States in technological, economic, social and cultural changes; reaching out to other partners in the United Nations, and his trust in the Secretariat as the manager of the Organization provide us with an insight into the calibre of leadership we can expect of him. The unanimous approval of his election as Director General of WIPO was clearly demonstrated by the unprecedented standing ovation of the Assembly this morning.

"Madam President, Dr. Idris is from a developing country. We place our trust in him to continue the good work promoted by Dr. Bogsch in focusing greater attention to the needs of developing countries in the area of intellectual property, an area he is already familiar with, having served under Dr. Bogsch in various capacities. For example, with regard to rapid global technological changes and developments, we are confident that emphasis will be laid on assisting developing countries to keep pace with the rest of the world. We also hope that the Secretariat, as the managerial organ of the Organization, will not only reflect equitable regional distribution in its staffing, but will also vigorously pursue gender equity.

"I wish to express my Delegation's heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the outgoing Director General of WIPO, for his performance, dedication and commitment and for his exemplary character during his entire term of office as the Chief Executive of WIPO. His work record speaks for itself. Kenya will always remember Dr. Bogsch for the cooperation and assistance that WIPO has extended to Kenya both in the fields of copyright and industrial property, during the entire period he has led, guided and moulded WIPO into the viable organization it is today.

"In this respect, I wish specifically to mention the following:

• the holding of the Diplomatic Conference in Nairobi in 1981 that resulted in the signing of the Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol;
  
• his personal initiative, technical and financial support that was extended by WIPO to the English-speaking countries in Africa that led to the creation of ARIPO;
  
• WIPO's funding of seminars, conferences, training of Kenyan officers on intellectual property matters, study tours undertaken by officers from Kenya Industrial Property and Copyright Offices as well as for invaluable advice given to Kenya on intellectual property matters;
  
• various technical missions undertaken to Kenya by WIPO experts who greatly assisted in the setting up of both the Kenya Industrial Property Office and the Copyright Office;
  
• supply and installation of office equipment such as CD-ROM work stations;
  
• his personal encouragement to Kenya to accede to the PCT that eventually resulted in accession by Kenya to the PCT on June 8, 1994;
  
• sending to Kenya of experts on drafting industrial property and copyright legislation;
  
• we were pleased to receive him during his last visit to Kenya in 1995.

"We wish Dr. Bogsch a happy retirement. We are gratified to note that as Dr. Bogsch hands over the stewardship of this ship to Dr. Idris, he is not worried that the ship might sink. For as Dr. Idris himself has put it, "the Organization will be oriented by its member States ..." Kenya, Dr. Idris, heartily congratulates and assures you of our maximum support, just like all other member States. As a brother and a very reliable neighbor back home in Africa we have a saying that goes like this "if your barber is your brother you do not need a mirror, as you are confident that your barber will cut and trim your hair perfectly."

Good luck, Mr. Director General."

25. The Delegation of Japan made the following statement:

"First of all, on behalf of the Japanese Delegation, I would like to congratulate you on your election as Chairperson of the General Assembly.

"On behalf of the Japanese Delegation, I would like to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as the Director General of WIPO, and extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for his excellent work in the service of the Organization and for the remarkable results he has achieved during his tenure of office.

"Dr. Arpad Bogsch, I am deeply impressed by your quarter of a century long service since you assumed the office of Director General in 1973. I should especially like to pay tribute to your achievement in expanding the use of the international registration system under the PCT and in concluding new treaties. In the field of copyright, as we all know, the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty were adopted successfully last December. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the adoption of the two treaties and to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Bogsch.

"Secondly, I should like to pay tribute to the eminent qualities and the great legal and diplomatic abilities of the new Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris. You made an excellent acceptance speech this morning. You showed your vision of the activities of WIPO into the next millennium. It is a wonderful message not only to the intellectual property community, but also to the citizens of the world. Your market-oriented and transparent strategy will surely open the new era of intellectual property.

"I recognize that you, Dr. Kamil Idris, as a former Deputy Director General for Development Cooperation Activities, played a leading role in making the world recognize the importance of the intellectual property system, and ensuring that countries throughout the world establish or better the system, through various activities for strengthening assistance to developing countries. I would like to wish you, Dr. Kamil Idris, success in your task, and assure you of our help in the discharge of your duties.

"The Japanese Government has been actively cooperating with developing countries. Japan will continue to contribute in both financial and human resources. Needless to say, the world economy is increasingly expanding and advanced information technology is spreading to almost all branches of business and industries as the 21st century approaches. The progressive globalization of the information society presents the intellectual property field with new challenges which require stronger initiatives from WIPO in the areas of normative activities, development cooperation, and information related activities. Japan is willing to work together with and ready to support the new Director General in tackling this challenging task.

"Turning to Dr. Bogsch again, you have served with distinction, you have been a source of strength and wisdom; and you have been a warm friend. As you retire we will miss you. However, we want you to know that the legacy of your work will continue.

"Finally, I would like to express again, from the bottom of my heart, my congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris and I wish you every success."

26. The Delegation of Algeria made the following statement:

"Allow me first to say how honored we are to have you preside over the work of our present Assembly. Your election acknowledges in you, Madam Chairman, the competent authority that is recognized by the international community and your enlightened contributions to the world of intellectual property. The Algerian Delegation adds its voice to those of the delegations that have gone before it to offer its warmest congratulations to the new Director General of WIPO, Dr. Kamil Idris.

"There is no doubt, Madam Chairman, that the period we are living through, marked by a prodigious change in the means of mass communication and an extraordinary flowering of manifold creativity, more than ever places our Organization at the crossroads of exchange between the various cultural spheres of our planet and at the harmonious and necessary confluent of our civilizations. At a time when globalization tends all too frequently to turn into mercantilism and mere trade the universal aspiration to share with solidarity our knowledge and a coordinated transfer of scientific and technological innovation, the sole condition to overcome the chronic underdevelopment that afflicts numerous countries in our world and which remains the essential plague of the end of our century, WIPO must, more than ever, participate in the task of global emancipation of all human societies.

"The election of Dr. Kamil Idris opens up renewed hopes in that respect. As a national of the third world, Africa's candidate, his training and his extensive competence, proven in the day-to-day service of WIPO for many years and in the exercise of decisive responsibilities for the benefit of all member States, he is predestined in all logic to become a Director General of consensus. That is why the Algerian Delegation would like to assure him of its full support in the task of conception and reform that is expected of him to make of WIPO not the closed field of defense for narrow and corporative interests, but an instrument of decisive progress for all the nations that we represent here.

"The investiture of Dr. Kamil Idris as Director General of WIPO occurs at a time at which the globalization of the worldwide economy and international trade in immaterial goods have experienced particularly significant development since the entry into force of the Marrakesh Agreement that established WTO.

"My country has always attached special importance to the cooperation efforts undertaken by WIPO to help and assist the developing countries and once more takes this opportunity to reaffirm its will to see that cooperation develops further to enable such countries not only to make the necessary adjustments to their legislation but also to ensure the implementation of intellectual property protection.

"That is why, to reply to these driving priorities, the new Director General should be dispensed of the need to wait for a time in order to effectively exercise his mandate. My country would wish that this august Assembly should give him an explicit mandate in that sense to create a flexibility of operation that is indispensable and that would facilitate the passage of the relay.

"In such a case, the Director General could already now initiate appropriate consultations on the most urgent structural reforms, decide his program, set his budget for the next biennium and give greater impetus to north-south cooperation which should constitute one of the true dimensions of WIPO's activities.

"It may be noted that his policy speech opened up interesting prospects in that respect. My Delegation particularly welcomes the new approach that is emerging within WIPO both as concerns the introduction of new internal consultation procedures and the strengthening of the role played by the Organization in the regulation of norms, the introduction of new communication technologies within the new information society.

"The Algerian Delegation would also like to pay homage to the outgoing Director General, and first Director General of WIPO, Dr. Arpad Bogsch for the task he has carried out over the two decades of his mandate and for his untiring devotion to the service of WIPO, just as it would like to express here, to close, the deep gratitude that it feels at a personal level to our German colleague, Ambassador Wilhelm Höynck, for the intellectual probity and rigor with which he has directed the work of the WIPO Coordination Committee."

27. The Delegation of the Russian Federation made the following statement:

"First of all we associate ourselves with the words of congratulations addressed to you as Chairman of the General Assembly and also to the Vice-Chairmen.

"I would like to say a few words to Dr. Arpad Bogsch. Of course, we associate ourselves with everything said about him. However, in addition to that we would like to comment on a number of features of his character. Once after a visit here by a number of Russian Delegates, after a conversation with Dr. Bogsch, one of them said to me 'I know that Dr. Bogsch is a brilliant jurist but no jurist has so far talked to me as a professor of music showing such a deep knowledge in that sphere of art.' And he spoke the same professional language with me and we have seen on more than one occasion how Dr. Bogsch has shown his deep knowledge of a number of different areas and he has made a significant contribution to international law on intellectual property. He once again demonstrated his wisdom today in telling us that WIPO and his staff will be at the service of the new elected Director General Dr. Idris so as to assure a smoother hand over.

"Now my Delegation would like to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his election. We have no doubt that he will work in the interest of the whole of the international community because he has the most important thing, the unanimous support of our community.

"Dr. Idris has already put forward his proposals today which imply a new approach. We express our hopes in a new Director General. We hope that he will brilliantly cope with his new tasks and will manage the Organization well and we hope that the preparatory work will start very soon and the new Director General is truly faced with very complicated tasks relating to the new program and budget and we express the hope that he will be successful."

28. The Delegation of Canada made the following statement:

"The Delegation of Canada is pleased to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has been associated with the World Intellectual Property Organization for almost 35 years, being its Director General since 1973. In this position, his leadership abilities have been widely respected and he has had an impact in every corner of the globe.

"During his tenure as Director General, Dr. Bogsch has overseen the far-reaching changes that have occurred in the world of intellectual property. In recent years, we have all witnessed the increasing importance accorded to intellectual property by creators and innovators, by companies small and large, and by governments, which has contributed to the enrichment of our cultures, our knowledge base, and our economic activity. We, in Canada, have always appreciated Dr. Bogsch's advice and encouragement, and his warm and sincere welcome to our delegates.

"Allow me to address Dr. Bogsch directly. This Delegation, Sir, on behalf of your many friends in Canada, extends its warmest regards to you, and wishes you the very best in health and happiness for the future.

"At this point, we welcome and strongly support the election of Dr. Idris to the post of Director General. As we know, Dr. Idris has been involved with this Organization since 1982. As Deputy Director General responsible for development cooperation, he has demonstrated leadership and commitment to member States in the delivery of technical assistance to developing countries. We strongly support the approach to managing WIPO set out in his acceptance speech. We look forward to working with Dr. Idris and other member States to achieve these objectives, and in the formulation of the new budget and program for the next biennium.

"On a particular point, now that Dr. Idris has been confirmed as the new Director General, the Delegation of Canada is pleased to note that he will have the resources needed to prepare the new budget and program, and that these resources will be available to him between now and the time he officially takes office.

"The Delegation of Canada congratulates Dr. Idris, and wishes Dr. Bogsch well in the future."

29. The Delegation of the Republic of Korea made the following statement:

"Along with the previous delegations, I would like to congratulate you on your election as Chairperson of this session. I am confident that your leadership abilities and dedication will ensure the success of this meeting.

"On behalf of the Delegation of the Republic of Korea, I would like to show my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as new Director General of WIPO. I am convinced that Dr. Idris is more than competent to successfully lead WIPO into the next century where intellectual property will become most critical and dynamic. Under his excellent leadership, my Delegation is expecting a new era of cooperation with WIPO in the coming 21st century.

"My Delegation believes that one of the challenges facing WIPO under the new leadership of Dr. Idris is the issue of the intellectual property dispute settlement procedures. Efforts to establish a treaty within the WIPO framework for the settlement of such disputes have been in the right direction. However, uncertainty and discrepancies still exist on the future of the proposed Treaty. At this point in time, it is critical that we maintain the momentum which has carried us this far. It is the high priority of my Delegation that the diplomatic conference convene soon, possibly in the first half of next year, to establish a treaty on the settlement of intellectual property disputes within the WIPO framework.

"As far as the Patent Law Treaty is concerned, I hope that we would be able to create a more favorable climate for its conclusion through formal and informal consultations between interested States in both WIPO and other forums. Through these efforts, we can resolve many important issues utilizing a step-by-step approach.

"With respect to well-known marks, there have been some disagreements and even disputes between States over the conditions and the scope of protection, as well as the criteria for definition of well-known trademarks. In this regard, however, I am pleased to note that there have been some developments in the field of the protection of well-known marks through the meetings of the Committee of Experts held in 1995 and 1996. I hope that WIPO will focus its efforts to achieve effective solutions for the mutual benefit of member countries in the near future.

"In conclusion, my special gratitude and thanks go to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, who has greatly contributed to the remarkable development of WIPO during his 24-year tenure. I believe he will continue to contribute to the worldwide intellectual property systems through offering his valuable experience even after his service in WIPO. I wish him good health and continued success in his life."

30. The Delegation of Uruguay made the following statement:

"On taking the floor for the first time in this hall, I should like to endorse the statements that have already been made expressing well-deserved congratulations on your election as Chairman of this Assembly.

"The handing over of power is a normal, indeed even routine event in institutional life; this is well known. On the present occasion, however, the conclusion of the term of office of Dr. Arpad Bogsch and the assumption of office by Dr. Kamil Idris is a moment of great significance in the history of WIPO, owing to the distinguished personality and acknowledged merits of Director General Bogsch, who, in his 24 years of tireless work, has been the veritable builder of this Organization which is the pride of all its members, and who at the same time has been the real creator of an international intellectual property system.

"Let us at the same time give the warmest welcome to the new Director General, to our friend Kamil Idris, certain as we are that he will continue, and build on, the extraordinary work of Professor Bogsch. Director Idris is also a man of great intelligence and a skilled diplomat, as Arpad Bogsch has mentioned, and technically highly trained. He has given us a stunning demonstration of his ability in the program statement that we heard this morning.

"I believe, honorable members of this Assembly, that the program formulated by Director Idris is highly important inasmuch as it projects our Organization into the twenty-first century, is innovative in character and at the same time carries on the tradition instituted by Director Bogsch. We therefore give our warmest support to this work program, and in particular to those of its features that have to do with cooperation for the benefit of developing countries. As we all know, cooperation for the benefit of developing countries is important to the developed as well as the developing world, and we therefore consider fundamental the support that our Director General has given to this program.

"In his speech, he placed particular emphasis on the use of communication media and the use of new technology. There would be no progress, no possibility of development towards the next century if WIPO did not make use of modern technology and the communication media that are within our reach at the present time.

"The Delegation of Uruguay, which has given its best efforts to the process of transfer of authority within this institution, expresses its best wishes for the success of Dr. Kamil Idris's term of office. It congratulates him on his appointment, and feels certain that his management will ensure the continuity and growth of our Organization, as has just been demonstrated by the program statement to which I referred a moment ago.

"Finally, Madam Chairman, I should like to propose a specific motion which to my mind captures the spirit now pervading this Assembly, and which I hope will be supported by the participants.

"My specific motion is that in future this main conference hall of WIPO should bear the name of Dr. Arpad Bogsch."

31. The Delegation of Saint Lucia made the following statement:

"I would first like to join with the other delegations in congratulating you on your election as Chairperson and wish you all the best.

"On behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia and especially the Honorable Attorney General of Saint Lucia, Mr. Petrus Compton, it gives me great pleasure to extend warm congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Dr. Idris brings with him to the post of Director General a wealth of knowledge and expertise and in light of this I am confident that he will continue to rise to our expectations.

"Given Dr. Idris' long association with the World Intellectual Property Organization, and in particular, with the work of Dr. Bogsch, outgoing Director General whose support and generosity to member States was noted on a worldwide basis, and given the awareness which Dr. Idris possesses of the peculiar problems facing the Latin American and Caribbean countries, attained no doubt through his association with the Latin American and Caribbean Bureau over the years, I have no doubt that Dr. Idris brings with him also a certain sensitivity to the individual needs of member States of WIPO, especially countries like Saint Lucia.

"On behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia, I therefore pledge our continued steadfast support and cooperation to Dr. Idris and WIPO and I wish him well and God's blessings as he takes up this challenge which I know he is well equipped to handle as proved by his very eloquent acceptance speech delivered here today.

"Madam Chair, it would be remiss of me if I did not recognize the outgoing Director General, Dr. Bogsch, and so on behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Director General, Dr. Bogsch, for his contribution to the advancement of intellectual property in Saint Lucia and I wish to acknowledge the brilliance with which he performed his duties as Director General of WIPO over the past 24 years.

"In conclusion, Saint Lucia wishes Dr. Bogsch all the best in his future endeavors, long life and good health."

32. The Delegation of Tunisia made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, allow me first to convey to you my sincere congratulations on your brilliant election to preside over our Assembly. Your competence, your experience and your personal touch are a guarantee of success for the work of this General Assembly. My congratulations go also to the other Officers. I further wish to address congratulations to your predecessor, Mr. Frank Ekpo, for the wisdom and style with which he conducted the work of the General Assembly during the last biennium.

"As an African, I should like to subscribe to what has been said by colleagues from our Group who spoke earlier, adding that I am particularly pleased to take the floor on this item of the agenda in order to convey sincere congratulations and best wishes for success on behalf of the Tunisian Government and on my own behalf to Mr. Kamil Idris on the occasion of his election to the head of WIPO.

"His election is first and foremost the crowning event of the brilliant career within this Organization of a man who has served it with competence, selflessness and loyalty for a decade and a half.

"By raising one of their own to the head of WIPO, the countries of Africa wanted to provide proof and a symbol of their maturity and of the African continent's determination to take up the challenges of computerization, technology acquisition and industrial and intellectual property.

"The election of Mr. Idris, finally, is evidence of the commitment of developing countries to move forward in the field of technological modernization with a view to better integration in the world economy. This election comes at the eve of the twenty-first century, which some are describing as the century of information technology, and it should enable this young and energetic management to build bridges of genuine solidarity and cooperation so that all members of the international community may take part in the creation of a better world for the benefit of all peoples, one in which technology is put to work for the common good.

"I should moreover like to pay a very emphatic tribute to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for the eminent services that he has rendered this Organization, and to wish him a comfortable retirement and a life full of health and happiness for both himself and his loved ones."

33. The Delegation of the United Republic of Tanzania made the following statement:

"First of all I too would like to join the other delegations in extending our congratulations to you for your election for the high office of Chairman of the General Assembly of WIPO as well as to the other members of the Bureau. I am confident that under your wise leadership, the deliberations of this Assembly will be crowned with great success. At the same time, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to your predecessor Mr. Ekpo, from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the members of his Bureau, for the exemplary manner in which they have conducted the affairs of this body while they were in office.

"I also wish to commend the Director General of WIPO and his staff for the excellent background documentation they have provided for this meeting.

"Madam Chair, my Delegation is extremely delighted to see that this body has unanimously endorsed the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris, as the new Director General of WIPO and I would like to associate my Delegation with this historic decision. Let me therefore use this opportunity to join other delegations in expressing our deepest congratulations to Dr. Idris for his appointment to this high office. I would like to assure him that the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania will go ahead fully with him as it did with his predecessor Dr. Bogsch and so to assure the continuity of relations between WIPO and Tanzania and be sure of the success of the WIPO projects and programs.

"As for Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the outgoing Director General, we would like to join others in expressing our deep gratitude to him for his long service and wise leadership he has given to this Organization. What Dr. Bogsch has done to WIPO in the 24 years he has been appointed Director General, is so much and so evident that no enumeration is necessary or possible in the short time available, especially after that illuminating statement made by the US Delegation this morning. But let me only say in summary that what WIPO is today and what it has achieved so far is largely to the wisdom and foresight of Dr. Bogsch. You Sir, have nurtured and guided WIPO for over two decades to the eminent place it now occupies among the elite organizations in the international community and for that the international community as a whole and individual member States owe you a great deal. Certainly we, in Tanzania, will not forget your contribution through WIPO which has meant a lot to our development and it was in recognition of your singular service to our country that my President had the honor and privilege of conferring on you one of our highest medals: the Order of the United Republic of Tanzania in November 1995. However, no gift, not even a medal, is sufficient to equal your service to the international community or the member countries and all that we can say and do now is to wish you good health and prosperity in your retirement.

"The appointment of a new Director General gives us the opportunity to express our hopes and aspirations for the future as far as the Organization is concerned. The appointment of Dr. Idris is coming at a crucial junction in world history. For during his term of office, not only will WIPO enter the 21st century, but it will begin a new millennium. This imposes on us the need for a vision which will enable the Organization to serve all its members in this coming age of rapidly growing technology and globalization. Globalization not only of the economy but also of information and of knowledge itself. We therefore need an organization that will not only allow for more participation of States but an organization that will render requisite service equitably to all member States with special consideration being given to the developing countries and especially the least developed among them. For this to be possible, the Organization needs to be more open for new ideas, not only for member States but also for eminent individuals of various backgrounds, expertise and experience from both developed and developing countries. There is also the need for an extension of technical assistance to developing countries and especially to the least developed ones to enable them understand and cope with the implications of the obligations regarding intellectual property rights and this calls for among other things more training not only for the experts but also for political leaders and decision makers. Internally too, the Organization needs to conduct its affairs with more transparency and accountability.

"Having listened to Dr. Idris in his acceptance statement this morning, we can see that he has captured the vision for WIPO for the coming century and for the new millennium and he has articulated it with such depth, sense of conviction and pride, that there should be no doubt in anybody's mind that our Organization will be in the right hands. His proposals to establish two independent advisory commissions, one for eminent leaders and another for eminent industrial legal experts, will begin to be the cross-fertilization of ideas that is required in order to have programs that will adequately respond to the relevant needs of the people on the ground. The proposal to establish a mechanism for management oversight and another one to review contracts and investment of resources will ensure transparency and accountability that is necessary and his proposal to establish a WIPO Academy will concretize the need to deepen and disseminate knowledge and information regarding intellectual property rights to people of various levels as well as leaders and experts, this being an essential component of the raison-d'être of WIPO itself. My Delegation wishes once again to express its whole-hearted support for all these proposals that the new Director General has put on the table and we commend this Assembly to give him the necessary support for him to proceed with immediate implementation.

"To conclude, let me say that when the Coordinating Committee nominated Dr. Idris for the post of Director General it did so knowing that Dr. Idris is eminently qualified for the job. Now by his comprehensive, knowledgeable and inspiring statement Dr. Idris has demonstrated once again to all of us that he is indeed the right man to lead this Organization and he is assuming office at the right time. Let us, therefore, give him our support, so that he may wisely lead WIPO into the twenty-first century and into the new millennium."

34. The Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran made the following statement:

"In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful,

"Madam Chairperson, on behalf of the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I would like to congratulate you and other members of the Bureau on your election for this very important session of the WIPO Governing Bodies.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Idris on his meritorious election as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Dr. Idris is a well-educated and capable personality whose outstanding background as a former member of the International Law Commission and an experienced international civil servant who has been progressively promoted through bureaucratic ranks is well known. We are fully convinced that his election will enable him to bring justice and new incentives needed to promote the activities of the Organization and ensure increasing confidence of the member and non-member States of the Organization. As scientific and technological evolutions are taking place at an unprecedented pace, the need for international cooperation for a fair distribution of the results of these developments among all nations, developing and developed alike, is felt more than ever. Given the emerging challenges and opportunities, the new Director General has before him the onerous tasks of promotion of the role of WIPO and its activities aimed at the expansion of international cooperation in the field of protection of intellectual property rights, as well as addressing the interests and concerns of developing countries. It is our sincere hope that the new Director General would be able to eliminate all the obstacles and problems and foresee new programs and budgets and administrative changes to enable the Organization to be more effective and attract more financial and technical contributions and the cooperation of the user community and business sectors to WIPO programs.

"Dr. Idris this morning explained his valuable wishes and programs for the future activities of the Organization which we fully support, and we wish him all success to implement them.

"Having said that, I should not fail to appreciate the tremendous and tireless efforts of Dr. Bogsch, the outgoing Director General, during the past quarter century in upgrading the Organization to its present level. We, as States, and the Organization are indebted to him for numerous achievements obtained during his tenure of office.

"In conclusion, wishing the new Director General all success, I would like to assure him of the cooperation of my Delegation. We wish Dr. Idris the best of luck in promoting the future activities of WIPO and attracting wider cooperation among interested sections involved."

35. The Delegation of the Sudan made the following statement:

"Madam Chair, may I congratulate you on your election to chair our Assembly for this session. Might I also wish you full success in your very important tasks. We are convinced that you will carry out your task in the best way possible. Chairman, might I also express my congratulations on behalf of my Government and on my own behalf to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the Director General for the excellent way he has governed the Organization and for the great skills he has shown through his terms of office. We, in Sudan have, like other countries in the continent often had the opportunity to have him visit our country. We have always had good relations with Dr. Bogsch who always has some time for everyone, has always welcomed us in the best way in our national office. We have always had the best possible assistance in modernizing our office. Might I, Chairman, wish Dr. Bogsch a very happy retirement. I hope he will continue to help this Organization and all of those countries that had the joy and privilege of working with him.

"With respect to my brother Dr. Kamil Idris, might I say to him that we, his brothers and sisters in the Sudan wish to join the entire international community and congratulate him and in congratulating ourselves and our continent, Africa, congratulating all of our brothers and sisters who are here with us today in WIPO headquarters in Geneva.

"In congratulating him, might I say with great pride that Dr. Kamil Idris who is here before you today has not been just the son of Sudan when becoming Director General today. He is a son of the entire continent. Dr. Kamil Idris, my brother, is highly skilled and I am somewhat embarrassed to go through the entire list of his achievements, might I just say that his election is a source of pride for us and for WIPO because his skills, his vision, and all of his great knowledge will be made available to this Organization. We should not be embarrassed in listing all of his achievements but might we just ask God to help him in his work and tell him that we will always be beside him to give all of our assistance. I also with great pride express my thanks to the entire staff of the International Bureau who have always helped Dr. Bogsch. I am sure that they will always stand by Dr. Kamil Idris' side in his work."

36. The Delegation of China made the following statement:

"First of all, I would like to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Delegation and in my own name, warmest congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as the new Director General of WIPO.

"Dr. Kamil Idris has great attainments in international law and intellectual property laws as well as rich experience from his long involvement in the diplomatic field and international organizations. After working for nearly 15 years in WIPO, he knows WIPO and its member States very well and has a good command of several languages. We have every reason to believe that under his guidance, WIPO will continue its efforts to promote intellectual property causes in the world, to enhance the status and the role of intellectual property in all countries, and to expand coordination and cooperation in the intellectual property field and in the area of development for the developing countries. China will, as always, support WIPO in its work and enhance cooperation with WIPO. We hope that in the future development of intellectual property rights in China, we will continue to get assistance and support from Dr. Kamil Idris and WIPO.

"The Chinese Delegation maintains that without the high attainment and long-term unremitting efforts of the current Director-General Dr. Arpad Bogsch in the intellectual property field, WIPO could not have had such a high prestige and influence in the world and developed into an international organization with 165 member states and nearly 20 unions under it. As a result, Dr. Bogsch is held in very high regard by the intellectual property community and the science community worldwide. Cherishing friendly feelings towards the Chinese people and a keen interest in China's intellectual property undertaking, Dr. Bogsch has all along supported and assisted China in the establishment and development of an intellectual property regime, the training of intellectual property professionals, intellectual property legislation and its cooperation and exchanges with the rest of the world in this field. He has thus won wide acclaim from the Government and the intellectual property community in China. The Chinese Delegation wishes to express again its profound gratitude to Dr. Bogsch.

"I wish to emphasize once again on this occasion that China is a member of the Asian countries and also the largest developing country in the world. Within the regional grouping of WIPO, China is an independent party. China's remarkable achievements in the intellectual property area have won her an extensive appreciation throughout the world. However, up to the present day, there has not been a single Chinese ever positioned in the leading echelons of WIPO. The Chinese Government has recommended Dr. Gao Lulin, the present Commissioner of the China Patent Office, to WIPO. Dr. Gao meets WIPO's requirements for its senior posts in terms of qualifications, knowledge, experience and capabilities. It is embodied in the recommendation that China attaches great importance to WIPO. I believe that Dr. Gao Lulin, an outstanding founding member of China's intellectual property system, will go all out to assist Dr. Kamil Idris to open an even brighter future for WIPO. Accordingly, the Chinese Delegation would like to request Dr. Kamil Idris, the newly appointed Director General, and member States of both WIPO Coordination Committee and the General Assembly to take China's view into full consideration."

37. The Delegation of India made the following statement:

"The Delegation of India would like to join the other delegations in extending to you, Madam and to the other elected office-bearers our warmest felicitations. We are confident that the spirit of harmony and cooperation which has always characterized WIPO would be further strengthened under the very able stewardship of you and your colleagues.

"We are delighted that the next Director General is going to be an eminent son of Africa who represents the hopes and aspirations of the entire developing world. The problems in the area of intellectual property rights are by and large common to all the developing countries. These relate to lack of proper infrastructure for intellectual property rights administration, lack of awareness among the general public about intellectual property rights matters, absence of a well-developed collective administration system in copyright and neighboring rights, neglect of intellectual property rights studies by academics and absence of a group of articulate and well-informed intellectual property rights professionals. These deficiencies would need to be addressed promptly. We therefore look towards the new Director General with great hopes and expectations to help us in this endeavor. Dr. Kamil Idris is known to all of us-apart from his disarming smile, refreshing candor and suave manners-for his readiness to face and sort out contentious issues and his uncanny ability to grasp. We have had an opportunity to know from him first hand about his vision, his keen desire to ensure transparency and accountability, his determination to reorganize and broaden the management pattern and his resolve to emphasize nationally-focused action programs. We are particularly happy to note from Dr. Idris' statement that he intends to endeavor, through the program of cooperation for development, to mitigate the disadvantageous effects of rapid change on the developing and least developed countries.

"These are undoubtedly priorities which we would all share and support in full measure. He will no doubt have a heavy burden to bear, but I would like to assure him that in this task he would have a fund of goodwill and unstinted cooperation from all of us.

"We also take this opportunity to offer our special regards and thanks to Dr. Arpad Bogsch who would be demitting his office soon after an eventful career. During his long and distinguished tenure, WIPO grew from strength to strength and became one of the most vibrant UN Organizations. The identification of Dr. Bogsch with WIPO was total. We wish him continued happiness and good health in the days ahead."

38. The Delegation of the United Kingdom made the following statement:

"I am delighted to join other delegations in giving the warmest of welcomes to Dr. Kamil Idris as he assumes responsibility for guiding the World Intellectual Property Organization.

"May I pay an equally warm tribute to his predecessor, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, whose achievements as a distinguished international civil servant have been chronicled by the representative of the United States and other speakers?

"It is through the leadership and commitment of Dr. Bogsch that WIPO has become what it is today. He has helped to harmonize the world's intellectual property systems and has also promoted international registration systems-under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid Protocol-which directly benefit users of intellectual property.

"The United Nations family as a whole owes a considerable debt to Dr. Bogsch for the success of this Organization. It is a testament to him that one of his own Deputy Directors General has been chosen to build on the foundations he laid. So I join others in wishing him all possible happiness and contentment in his future life.

"Dr. Kamil Idris could not be better qualified for this post. His broad experience in the field of intellectual property, his personality and intellect and his skills as a leader and a diplomat will ensure that WIPO goes from strength to strength. In his statement today Dr. Idris has hit the ground running. He has set a road map for the Organization's future development. No time should be lost, and we agree with the representative of Cameroon and others who have argued that the new Director General should begin his consultations with the staff and the member States straight away.

"We welcome the emphasis Dr. Idris has placed on accountability, transparency and effective communication with member States, and much look forward to working with him.

"Madam Chairman, as the Chair has noted there are important issues to be discussed this week, including those raised by my own and other delegations which are under consultation with the regional groups. These will be taken up at appropriate points in the agenda, but today is the time to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Bogsch and our strong support for his successor, Dr. Idris."

39. The Delegation of Egypt made the following statement:

"Allow me Madam, to express our congratulations upon your election to preside over the WIPO General Assembly. I should also like to congratulate your two Vice-Chairmen. We are confident that due to your expertise and skill, you will be able to crown our work with success.

"On behalf of the Egyptian Delegation, I should like to express our sincere congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris upon his election to be the new Director General of WIPO. Dr. Idris is a model of one of the sons of the African continent who have honored the African continent in many international fora. He is also one of the sons of Sudan, another Arab country with which Egypt has had very strong ties for many generations and centuries. The history of Dr. Idris is full of achievements which make him worthy of becoming the Director General. He is an expert in international law, he is an eminent diplomat and since working with WIPO in 1982, he has occupied many important posts in which he has demonstrated extreme skill and efficiency. His appointment as a Deputy Director General in 1994 was a natural result of the success that he has achieved so far in the Organization. Appointing Dr. Kamil Idris as the Director General comes at a very important junction of the history of this Organization. Not only for the Organization but also for the international community as a whole, and an historical junction which is marked with the advancement of technology and the globalization which has increased the burden on developing countries. Intellectual property has gained great importance in recent times especially after the signing of TRIPS. WIPO has played a great role in assisting the developing countries to comply with their commitments under the TRIPS Agreement and provided the necessary assistance in order to fulfill their commitments and to keep pace with the developments in the international community with regard to the protection of intellectual property rights. One of the most important tasks of WIPO in the future is to continue the vital role it has played in order to continue assisting developing countries and shouldering this responsibility in the future and facing the challenges of new technologies by extending more assistance through development cooperation programs and making them more effective in order to achieve all the goals. Therefore the Egyptian Delegation would endorse the beginning by Dr. Idris of the consultation by the members and in accordance with the proposals set forth in his speech of acceptance as well as the preparation of the draft program and budget for the next biennium as well as all the other topics that he mentioned in his speech.

"In conclusion, I should like on behalf of the Egyptian Delegation to express our deep gratitude and thanks to Dr. Arpad Bogsch who led this Organization with extreme skill and efficiency for 24 years. His name is linked with WIPO, and we cannot separate one from the other. Dr. Arpad Bogsch has always been behind the success that the Organization has achieved over the many years and he has always worked to stress the role of the Organization in the field of the protection of intellectual property. Therefore WIPO became one of the most successful specialized agencies of the United Nations system. In this respect I can only wish Dr. Bogsch and his family good health and a successful retirement."

40. The Delegation of France made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, allow me to first to convey to you, on behalf of my authorities, my sincerest congratulations on your election to the chairmanship of this Assembly. These congratulations extend of course to our Ecuadorian and Romanian colleagues who will be assisting you in this arduous task.

"It goes without saying that France endorses the messages of thanks that have been addressed to Dr. Arpad Bogsch. I wish to pay a special tribute to him here and salute him personally.

"Today WIPO has 165 member countries, while the Paris Convention has 143 adherents, the Berne Convention 126 and the Washington Treaty or PCT, even though much more recent, 94 already.

"These figures speak for themselves. They are the result of the personal work of Dr. Arpad Bogsch and all his team, who have spared no effort to make the greatest possible number of countries aware of the problems of intellectual property.

"Imagine the progress that has been made in the harmonization of intellectual property rights during the terms of office of Arpad Bogsch. In concerted efforts made with member States, that progress has been achieved primarily and above all for the benefit of the applicants for those rights, and consequently have served world economic growth.

"While it is true that we have not experienced only successes during those years, the progress has nevertheless served to bring an idea to fruition, namely the integration of intellectual property for the first time in the rules governing world trade, in the form of the TRIPS Agreement.

"WIPO and its new Director General, to whom France expresses its best wishes for success, are confronted with new challenges. In that respect I wish to commend the new Director General for the excellent program address that he gave yesterday morning: he showed remarkable skill in setting courses of action for the future, notably in connection with the fight against counterfeiting and the strengthening of intellectual property in the interest of the economy and development in the age of the "world village" and the explosion of new technology.

"On the latter point, it goes without saying for us that this necessary technological evolution has to take place with due respect for multilingual considerations.

"Within the European Union, France will support every effort made by Mr. Kamil Idris to give WIPO the means of assuming the tasks entrusted to him by the treaties.

"This of course presupposes strict management in budgetary matters for a flourishing Organization, which must therefore have the means of implementing its policy. We shall make sure of that.

"We have carefully noted the ambitions of the new Director General; we have carefully noted his legitimate concern to work in the interest of the international community and economy of developing as well as developed countries. He may rest assured in that concern of the resolute support of France."

41. The Delegation of Pakistan made the following statement:

"The Permanent Representative, Ambassador Munir Akram, very much wished to be present on this occasion. Unfortunately, he could not be here as he had to proceed to New York on official matters. Madam President, I would first like to congratulate you and the Vice Presidents on being elected to your high offices. We are confident that under your guidance the Organization shall successfully address the many tasks that it faces.

"This session, Madam President, is a solemn occasion. We are marking the adoption of a momentous decision, that is, the formal nomination of a new Director General of the Organization. Deciding on a worthy successor to the present Director General has been no easy task. It required agreement on a person who could carry on the distinguished, even formidable, record of Dr. Arpad Bogsch, to whom we pay sincere tribute. We are, however, glad, that in Dr. Kamil Idris we have found a successor who has sterling professional and human qualities and who can lead us wisely into the next millennium.

"What we heard yesterday from Dr. Kamil Idris in his forward looking and very substantive statement further convinced us that we have made an especially happy choice in reposing our trust in him. His stress on development cooperation, on human resources development, on country-focused programs and his determination to remain on the cutting edge of technological change are truly welcome. We have also heard with great care the several important questions he has posed to us, the member States, and we assure him that we shall be actively considering these questions.

"Madam President, we look forward to the new Director General expeditiously commencing to address the many challenging tasks before him, especially on matters relating to the program and budget. And we are hopeful that the full resources of the International Bureau will be placed at his disposal during the transition period.

"In conclusion, Madam President, we would like to assure the new Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, whom our Delegation is proud to call a brother, of the unstinting support and cooperation of our Delegation in his endeavors to make WIPO an organization fully responsive to the demands of the present fast-changing times."

42. The Delegation of Mexico made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, the Delegation that I represent would like first to congratulate you on your election to preside over our work in the coming biennium. This quite simply is recognition of your long professional career in intellectual property.

"Secondly, the Delegation of Mexico endorses the expressions of respect and gratitude conveyed to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, and wishes to pay tribute to the man who has, for the sake of this Organization and many of its members, dedicated a large part of his life and of his thoughts, sufferings, ideals, goals and challenges during a period of many, many years.

"Thirdly, the Delegation of Mexico most sincerely congratulates Dr. Kamil Idris, unanimously elected Director General of WIPO, and wishes him the utmost success in the discharge of such an important responsibility.

"Dr. Idris, we know that the times to come are going to be times of change and challenge for WIPO and its member States, and we are sure that under your leadership we shall face them successfully. You may be assured henceforth of the full cooperation of the Government of Mexico.

"Madam Chairman, in the coming weeks we shall be going through an intensive period of preparation for the short-term action associated with the transition to a new administration.

"We all know that the experience accumulated by the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, in the promotion of the objectives of the Organization and its administration over two decades accumulated by the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, are a reference whose value in the new era will be better appreciated inasmuch as that experience will be shared with the new administration during the transitional period that it has to pass through between this moment and the date on which the new Director General actually takes up his post.

"We are aware of the importance of ensuring that the new Director General already has the full cooperation of the outgoing administration that he requires if pending work and that which has to be done on the preparation of the new program and budget of the Organization, is not to be affected by the change. We feel that success at this time can be assured by the establishment of appropriate consultation machinery between the incoming and outgoing administrations, starting sufficiently early and having sufficient transparency, in such a way that, when Dr. Kamil Idris officially takes possession of his post, he will be in full control of the affairs and structures of the Organization.

"You yourself, Madam Chairman, could be called upon to play an important part in this transitional period, through the submission of the various reports generally used in such cases to indicate the main courses of action through the agency of the President of the General Assembly.

"Dr. Idris, honorable delegates, the twenty-first century is a gateway leading towards major technological changes which will undoubtedly affect social, cultural, political and economic spheres throughout the world.

"The subject of intellectual property is going to become the reference for the transformations and challenges of the coming millennium. An internationalized world will call for a refocusing of the international intellectual property system that will permit subsequent developments through the harmonization and reconciliation of the interests of all those actively involved, with their different levels of development.

"The vision of the future that we can already glimpse requires continuing normative and institutional development of the intellectual property system at both the national and the international level.

"Mexico is going to take up the challenge and assume responsibility for contributing towards, and actively participating under the auspices of this Organization in, the planning and formulation of strategies that will help strengthen the international intellectual property system as an instrument of technological and economic development in developing countries.

"We propose that a major effort be made to draw up an intellectual property agenda for the year 2000.

"The ground that has been covered so far merits recapitulation in such a way that a global intellectual property system may be devised that is balanced and viable for development in the coming century.

"Cooperation should be the structural activity of WIPO, with an eye to prospects such as those proposed below:

(a) to increase cooperative work on the training and specialization of human resources in matters of industrial property and copyright, with a universal focus and major common objectives.

(b) To increase cooperation activities in order to promote the development and implementation of the international provisions in force in all the fields covered by intellectual property, by holding regional and interregional meetings of official representatives at which subjects will be discussed that are being considered in other forums, such as new plant varieties, biotechnology and geographical indications, in the course of which criteria may be worked out for dealing with such subject matter and contributions made towards decision-making in the competent forums.

(c) To increase activities with a view to the creation and strengthening of institutions specializing in industrial property and copyright.

(d) To consider major technological trends in computerization processes.

(e) To develop activities with a view to the adoption and implementation of measures to promote observance of intellectual property rights, and also to promote the development and strengthening of sectors involved with that subject matter, with the definition of general plans of action and close collaboration with other multilateral and regional organizations.

(f) To create an intellectual property research and study center within WIPO in which researchers and academics from all member States may participate and which offers broad and equitable participation to the nationals of member States for the consideration of areas of emphasis, prospects and projects for the benefit of all countries.

(g) To develop intellectual property information centers (providing technological, commercial and legal information services) at the national and regional level, and to introduce positive interaction at the interface between those information centers.

(h) To develop interregional cooperation activities that will strengthen the exchange of experience between the various geographical regions.

(i) To introduce better cooperation with specialists, specialist associations, research centers and corporations, in order to have the benefit of the points of view of those sectors.

"Finally, we repeat our commitment to collaborate with the Director General elect, Dr. Kamil Idris."

43. The Delegation of Finland made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Finnish Delegation I would like to congratulate you warmly on your election to that Chair and as your older colleague on that Chair, I would also like to personally congratulate you and my best wishes to you. You have quite a job in front of you, but we are confident that under your chairmanship this Assembly will achieve the best possible results.

"The Finnish Delegation wishes to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on being elected the new Director General of WIPO. WIPO will be faced with new challenges, but we are convinced that Dr. Idris will successfully guide WIPO into the next millennium. Dr. Idris knows WIPO and the intellectual property rights systems because he was elected to this post from that of the Deputy Director General. He has worked with WIPO since 1982 and I would also, on behalf of my Delegation, like to thank you, Dr. Idris, for your excellent statement here yesterday. Thus, we have every reason to trust in your expertise and experience and we are ready to support you in your demanding office. So, congratulations and good luck.

"Now, Madam Chair, we would like to pay tribute to distinguished Dr. Arpad Bogsch for his remarkable work for the benefit of WIPO since 1970. His impressive experience, his expertise, energy and his excellent sense of humor have been his trademark. Dr. Bogsch has worked tirelessly to promote the protection of intellectual property rights and, together with his highly efficient staff, made WIPO into the valued organization it is now. Dear Arpad, we all owe you so much for your outstanding contribution to the work of WIPO and in the service of intellectual property in the world. You have plenty of friends here now, as well as you will have when you later have retired. Thank you very much for what you have done and thank you for your friendship."

44. Mr. Jukka Liedes, a member of the Delegation of Finland, made the following additional statement:

"Madam Chair, first of all, let me congratulate you on your election as President of this body and on this historical meeting. Congratulations are also extended to the Vice-Chairmen.

"On behalf of my Government and myself I would like to extend a warm and sincere welcome to Dr. Kamil Idris, the new Director General of WIPO. I would like to confirm that Dr. Idris can count on Finland's support in the work that lies ahead. We are committed to be part of the many processes now being activated. We are confident that under Dr. Idris' leadership WIPO will continue to be the most important international organization establishing norms in the field of intellectual property.

"Dr. Idris, you will be assuming your new responsibilities in a period of unprecedented technological development, especially the rapid changes taking place in the information and communication technologies. These technologies will also have a profound impact on the working methods of this Organization. We wish you every success as captain of the ship named WIPO, sailing bravely into the virtual oceans of the future.

"At the same time, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to express, on behalf of my Government and myself, the deepest gratitude, and sincerest thanks, to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, Director General of WIPO, for the monumental work he has performed and completed in the field of international intellectual property. I would also personally like to thank Dr. Bogsch for his unflagging determination to improve every aspect of the international system of copyright and neighboring rights.

"Dr. Bogsch, under your leadership the International Bureau of WIPO has probably been the most efficient secretariat and administrative unit of any international organization ever. All of us present here take pride in the quality of this Organization which you have stamped so strongly with your own personality.

"I would also take this opportunity to thank you for your special interest in Finland, and the friendly support and invaluable advice you have given me, over the many years of preparation for last years' Diplomatic Conference.

"When you visited Finland you quoted Kalevala, our national epic, and described how Väinämöinen, the ancient king and hero captured the fire. This is absolutely characteristic of you. On countless occasions you have captured the intellectual fire and astonished our community with the breadth of your imagination.

"We look forward to future years in which you, as the elder statesman of intellectual property will be a source of penetrating insight and wise advice."

45. The Delegation of Burundi made the following statement:

"Madam President, I would like to express the choice of your assumption of the presidency and I think that one of the three elements on which I am going to elaborate is that this General Assembly has indeed taken into account the importance of the democratization of the international organizations in electing to the presidency a lady. I think that one of the originalities and of the inventive and creative responsibilities lying ahead of the new Director General is to help so that the forthcoming century will be regarded and effectively become the century of women. So I convey to you my highly deserved congratulations for assuming the presidency of this important and historic General Assembly, historic because of what I will say in a few moments.

"Now, I am going to speak to Dr. Arpad Bogsch. This is not a new experience for me because I cooperated with him for a great many years in the nineteen-eighties. This was a difficult period during which the African Group, within which I had the honor to preside over a committee of nine ambassadors entrusted with the fate of African international civil servants, played a decisive role. I was a witness, Director General, to your statesmanlike qualities and to your flair for dialogue, compromise and patience. I venture to suggest that it would perhaps take a whole day to talk about you, and I do not have all that to myself. However, it has in any event to be said when speaking of you that you truly fashioned the World Intellectual Property Organization. I therefore pay you a well deserved tribute, and express the wish that your best reward may be the success of the one considered your heir, because he too was shaped in the mold of which you were the main designer, namely Kamil Idris.

"For me, as Kamil Idris is Africa's intellectual prodigy, and the most familiar with the World Intellectual Property Organization, it goes without saying that his elevation to the head of WIPO is a source of pride for every African worthy of the name, but also for any country, any person with an interest in WIPO. I have thus had the opportunity to entertain direct relations with both persons, and to my way of thinking it is not so much an era coming an end because the Director General is leaving, but rather an era that is continuing, and, as Mr. Idris is himself one of the leading lights of WIPO, his rise to the head of the Organization seems to me the crowning event of an eminently brilliant career. The content of his address is for us an indicator of the new vitality that he is going to instill in WIPO in his capacity as Director General, and he has all the qualities for the purpose. We therefore feel justifiably proud to see him at the head of this World Organization. Nevertheless, it is not sufficient for him to be elected to this supreme responsibility: he himself must also be aware that our continent of Africa has a part to play within the Organization, and that our Africa should not be just a mere spectator but an effective actor, an actor at the design stage, at the stage of the development of projects and at the stage of the implementation of those projects. And so I wish to express the most fervent wish that Dr. Kamil Idris, that diplomatic and intellectual paragon of our continent, whose qualities are known to all, may make dramatic achievements, but may also succeed in adapting WIPO to the workings of the next millennium, not only thanks to his own talents but also thanks to the contributions of other intellectual leaders who are willing and able to work in the supremely commendable cause of this World Organization."

46. The Delegation of Trinidad and Tobago made the following statement:

"We join with the others, Trinidad and Tobago, to offer our sincere congratulations on your appointment as President and on the appointment of the others who will assist you in this Assembly. Madam Chair, when you made your request that the distinguished delegate of Burundi speak before Trinidad and Tobago I knew that you were demonstrating the utmost good sense, because as long as he continues to speak of the century of women, I know that we will allow him to speak again and again. Thus far, Madam Chair, you have demonstrated all the qualities so essential in an efficient and yet humorous and heartwarming Chairperson. We have no doubt that for the rest of your term of office you will continue to chair this Assembly and others in great stead.

"The Delegation of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago extends our warmest congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his election to the post of Director General of WIPO. Madam Chair, in the age in which we live today the things that we are doing here and now as we speak can be seen and heard anywhere in this global village. And so over the 24 years that Dr. Bogsch has led this Organization we have seen tremendous developments and it has been because of the remarkable qualities of Dr. Bogsch that WIPO has reached where it is today. He has brought us to the brink of the new millennium and, as I said to him only recently, his life has only just begun. And so Trinidad and Tobago pays tribute to Dr. Bogsch. We wish him Godspeed and God's blessing as he embarks on this new phase of his life.

"As we approach this new millennium, we will no doubt witness further tremendous changes in this information age and that will have so many other implications for the protection of intellectual property in the world. Dr. Idris will bring, in our respectful view, the continuity and a new dynamism that are so essential to take WIPO forward. We recognize, and with him we sympathize, because we know that his task will be no easy one for he must now meet the demands of the developing world, he must meet the demands of the developed world and he must also meet the demands of the CIS States. It means, therefore, that he must seek to level the playing field, to satisfy the newfound dreams as well as the old dreams of the developing world. But we have no doubt that he possesses the determination, the inspiration and most important, as demonstrated in his acceptance speech yesterday, we have no doubt that he possesses the vision to take this Organization to the new millennium and to level the playing field. We know that for the protection of intellectual property the playing field must be leveled and it must be done with justice and with equity, because there is no use in having protection of intellectual property in one part of the world fully developed but yet not in other parts of the world. So to you, Dr. Idris, we say level the playing field with equity, with justice and with love in your heart.

"As I close, Madam Chair, if you will permit me to just share with you and with distinguished delegates a very short anecdote which has to do with the north wind and the sun. And you know Dr. Idris comes from the land of sunshine, like Trinidad and Tobago. And Madam Chair, it is said that the north wind and the sun were having a contest as to who was stronger, was it the north wind or was it the sun. And the north wind said I am stronger than you are, I will show you and I will prove it to you. And they saw a man passing by and the north wind said, 'you see that man there, I will show you that I am stronger than you are.' He says, 'I am going to make him take off that coat that he is wearing.' And it was very cold, the man was holding his coat and walking along and the north wind said 'I will show you.' And the north wind blew and blew hard and cold, and the man, you know what he did, Madam Chair, he pulled the coat closer and tighter, because he was so cold. And the north wind huffed and puffed until the north wind was blue in the face, but the man never took off his coat. And the sun said, 'you give up now; it's my turn, I will show you that I'm stronger than you are.' And you know what the sun did, the sun came out, Dr. Idris, and the sun smiled. That was all the sun did. And so to you I say, with your smile, you can show us a different way of doing things and you can take us forward with sunshine and with love.

"Trinidad and Tobago pledges to you our full support and commitment and we promise that we will cooperate in the fullest so that collectively WIPO and all our nations can benefit from the protection of intellectual property."

47. The Delegation of Lesotho made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Lesotho Government and the Lesotho Delegation, I wish to join the distinguished delegates in congratulating Dr. Kamil Idris as the new Director General of WIPO. The appointment of a son of the soil to this highest post is an honor to us in Africa and most significantly us from Southern Africa.

"Dr. Idris' experience and his active participation in WIPO and the Secretariat is a source of pride and inspiration for some of us as WIPO member States. Dr. Idris has shown admirable commitment to developing countries and most significantly Lesotho as one of the small and least developing countries. We have all confidence that Dr. Idris will champion the course for all WIPO member States, and we pledge our full and unflinching support to him and the International Bureau.

"In conclusion, it would be remiss of me and my Delegation not to pay tribute and express our gratitude to the excellent work done by the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch. He is indeed a Viking symbol of a great leader and administrator within the United Nations system. We wish him well in his retirement. May God bless him."

48. The Delegation of Colombia made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, the Delegation of Colombia wishes to convey to you and to the Vice-Chairmen its best wishes for success in your work on the Presidency of the WIPO General Assembly during the coming biennium.

"Since joining WIPO, Colombia has been closely following its work and activities, feeling sure of having benefited from the program of cooperation and support in the establishment of a protection system for copyright and industrial property.

"Dr. Bogsch, my country could say a great deal about the wide range of action and projects devised and implemented by you with a view to the protection of intellectual property throughout the world; instead of that, however, allow me to express the enormous satisfaction that our country feels on the completion of your work, as it has always supported your action and your proposals, which have made it possible for WIPO to become the Organization that all of us pick out and heed in the concert of agencies forming the United Nations system; it is an Organization directed and administered with an eye to the future and with concern to strike a balance between the various sectors associated with its activity.

"Dr. Idris, Colombia is one of the Delegations that rightly believe that we are living a historic moment. We have the good fortune to be present at and to legitimize the transfer of authority between an acknowledged leader and a distinguished professional, whose presence in this place since 1982 has enabled him to become aware of the practices and conduct associated with intellectual property protection. This, together with your words of acceptance of your appointment to the post of Director General, confirms in us the belief that we are witnessing a calm and confident transition in the administration of WIPO.

"At the same time it is your knowledge and your awareness and acute perception of the present intellectual property environment that will enable you to achieve the balance that has to be struck between the interests of technological, economic, social and cultural sectors and the owners of intellectual property rights.

"Dr. Idris, as we pay tribute and express our gratitude to Dr. Bogsch for his leadership of WIPO, you may be assured of the support of our Delegation in whatever action you propose to put in hand for the benefit of intellectual property."

49. The Delegation of Venezuela made the following statement:

Madam Chairman, Venezuela wishes to congratulate you on your designation to preside over this Assembly for the next two years, and also to extend congratulations to the other Officers.

"First we wish to mention that Dr. Arpad Bogsch will have made a very positive impression during his long stay at the Organization, particularly with respect to the cooperation program.

"The Andean community, composed of Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela, has received invaluable assistance in the drafting of the new Andean substantive legislation on intellectual property. Decisions 344, 345 and 351 of the Commission of the Cartagena Agreement, concerning industrial property, plant breeders' rights and copyright respectively, are modern legal instruments on their subjects that the Andean countries have brought into being with cooperation from WIPO.

"Venezuela in particular has been a beneficiary of the cooperation program. We would mention the postgraduate course on intellectual property at the Universidad de los Andes in the city of Mérida in the Venezuelan Andes, which we started in 1994; today we are proud to note that there are directors of intellectual property offices in a number of Latin American countries who are professors or alumni of that course. Indeed in WIPO itself we can today point to alumni who are staff members. Dr. Bogsch, you should feel as proud as we do, as from the outset we have relied on your support. Now that you are going to take more time off, we should like to invite you to pay a visit to Venezuela and specifically to the post-graduate chair at the Universidad de los Andes.

"WIPO has also embarked on cooperation with Venezuela's new Autonomous Intellectual Property Service, in which copyright and industrial property functions are grouped; it is a single administration, which will help us devise policies and standards for intellectual property as a whole.

"Finally, we congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris, whose words on the acceptance of his appointment yesterday have indicated to us that he will be a worthy successor. Dr. Idris, you may count on all the collaboration that our country can give you. The globalization of trade and communications as well as technological development present constant challenges to intellectual property that are well known to all those here. We are certain that he will take them up successfully."

50. The Delegation of Australia made the following statement:

"Thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity to speak briefly on this historically significant occasion. First, I would like to congratulate you personally and wish you well on your appointment.

"This Governing Body marks the first change in the leadership of WIPO in nearly a quarter of a century. It marks the end of an extraordinary period of leadership by Dr. Bogsch the achievements of which have been well outlined by previous speakers. Australia takes this opportunity to congratulate and thank Dr. Bogsch for his immense contribution to WIPO and to global intellectual property protection. In the last few decades, intellectual property has become vastly more important to business and to the world's economies. WIPO, under the guidance of Dr. Bogsch, has been instrumental in developing international arrangements that facilitate the management of intellectual property across national borders. The Patent Cooperation Treaty is perhaps the most significant of these achievements but there have been many others, including much improved harmonization of laws and norms in all areas of intellectual property and effective assistance to developing countries to help them establish their own intellectual property structures. In recent times, the cooperation between WIPO and the WTO has also led to very significant gains in the development of an effective international system for the protection of intellectual property.

"Dr. Bogsch is leaving WIPO at a time of further change. It is a time of globalization of business and of the growing importance of new technologies. Developments in information technology are portending both great challenges to the international management of intellectual property, as well as great opportunities. In this exciting time of change, Australia warmly welcomes the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris as the new Director General of WIPO. Dr. Idris brings to the position impressive qualifications and a distinguished record of service in the field of intellectual property. WIPO should be well served by someone of his calibre. Dr. Idris outlined yesterday some of his key ideas on the future direction of WIPO, and Australia looks forward to working with Dr. Idris in bringing these ideas into constructive effect. In particular, Australia welcomes Dr. Idris' commitment to the greater involvement of the users of intellectual property systems through the proposed advisory commissions. We see this as building on Dr. Idris' welcome commitment to transparency and to a member-driven organization. Australia also strongly supports Dr. Idris' commitment to information technology initiatives, both within WIPO and more broadly in the international intellectual property system. Such initiatives will play a major part in streamlining international arrangements and increasing the participation of all member States. Dr. Idris has set out a wide and demanding agenda for WIPO to take international management of intellectual property protection into the next millennium. This agenda will demand the development of a complex program and budget. Australia expects that the necessary resources will be available to Dr. Idris so that these matters can be advanced without delay.

"Dr. Idris' record stands as a testament to his fitness for succeeding a most distinguished occupant of the position of Director General. While Dr. Bogsch has left a record of achievement that would be challenging for any successor to emulate, I am confident that in Dr. Idris we have chosen a person eminently equipped to meet that challenge."

51. The Delegation of Spain made the following statement:

"As it is the first time that I am taking the floor at this session, I should like, Madam Chairman, to address to you my congratulations on your election, and at the same time to wish you every success in the exercise of your duties.

"Like others who have spoken before me, I wish to convey a message of appreciation and gratitude for the very important work achieved at WIPO by Dr. Bogsch, of whom we take our leave today.

"It goes without saying that WIPO would not be what it is today, namely an efficient, sound and prestigious institution, if it were not for the impression made on it by Arpad Bogsch over the last 24 years. He has been a Director General who has added to his profound legal ability a capacity for leadership and a vision for the future that have secured the role and the leading position of WIPO itself.

"During the term of office of Dr. Bogsch, Spain itself has secured a role of its own within WIPO; of its action within this Organization, I should like merely to point to the growing importance of our cooperative relations with developing countries, especially in the Latin American environment.

"The distinguished Ambassador of Uruguay mentioned in his intervention the possibility of the Organization's conference hall being named the Arpad Bogsch hall. For its part, the Spanish Delegation enthusiastically supports this proposal.

"I should also like to convey to the new Director General my sincerest congratulations and our wish that he may achieve every success in his work.

"I am aware of the great personal attributes of Dr. Kamil Idris, who combines the qualities of diplomatic talent, a profound knowledge of law and a matching capacity for work. I believe that one should add to those qualities, important as they are, his thorough knowledge of the Organization, his ability to concentrate wills and achieve consensus, and his vision of the future, as reflected in the important intervention that he made yesterday in this Plenary. I agree on the five basic principles of his program and his diagnosis of the position of WIPO, which has to confront certain technological challenges full of implications which will oblige us all, and WIPO first and foremost, to adapt to developments or remain on the sidelines.

"The Spanish Delegation wishes to express its support for the new Director General and to renew its assurances of collaboration with him and the Organization, as indeed it is doing at the present time, in whatever projects and cooperation programs may be identified.

"The Director General said yesterday that there was no shortage of ideas or of ideals. I am certain that, under his leadership, there will indeed be no lack of either. I wish him all the luck and success in the world in the exercise of that leadership."

52. The Delegation of Austria made the following statement:

"Please allow me first to congratulate you on your election to the Chair and also extend this congratulation to both Vice-Chairman elected.

"Joining many previous speakers the Austrian Delegation would like to address its sincere congratulations to the new Director General of WIPO, Dr. Kamil Idris, and to add our best wishes for his new position. Being an extremely successful Deputy Director, Dr. Idris has been taking part in all recent important developments in the Organization and is well acquainted with its structures and needs. The Austrian Delegation is fully convinced that he is highly qualified to lead WIPO into the next century and to guarantee future success and positive development of WIPO. Austria is looking forward to cooperating with Dr. Kamil Idris in the years to come and offers its continuing support as it has been doing with the outgoing Director General.

"Speaking of Dr. Idris' predecessor the Austrian Delegation would like to express heartfelt thanks and sincere acknowledgment to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for nearly 25 years devoted to WIPO as its Director General and even more years to the protection of intellectual property worldwide. Like no man before him, Dr. Bogsch has shaped "his" organization during his many terms of office starting with his first appointment as Director General in 1973 and since then taking a very active part in the development of intellectual property protection until its present stage. Nearly every important treaty in the field of intellectual property, just to mention the most recent ones, the Protocol to the Madrid Agreement or the WIPO Copyright Treaty, have been initiated or concluded in his era. Now, in 1997, he is able to entrust an organization and especially a staff ready to face the challenges of the next century to his highly qualified successor, Dr. Kamil Idris. Being sure that Dr. Bogsch's name will always be associated with WIPO and the world of intellectual property we would like to wish him the best for his personal future."

53. The Delegation of Jordan made the following statement:

"It gives me great pleasure, Madam Chairman, to extend to you and to your two Vice-Chairmen my heartiest congratulations on your election to the chairmanship of the WIPO Assembly. I am confident, Madam Chair, that thanks to your experience our deliberations will come to a very successful conclusion.

"Allow me, Madam, to express to you in the name of the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan our heartiest congratulations, as well as expressions of pride to our dear colleague, Dr. Kamil Idris, on the occasion of his election to serve as Director General of this distinguished Organization. He is definitely the right man in the right place. He has qualities of leadership, a real scholar, a practical man, highly experienced, who has worked all the way up within this Organization. He is a man who has close and very good relations with people in the intellectual property area throughout the world. I do not want to simply highlight his own personal qualities but I would like to underline the importance of the decision that has been taken by electing him as Director General. I have followed with interest the statement Dr. Idris made yesterday in his acceptance speech in which he detailed his program for the future, a statement that reflected farsightedness and vision. Moreover, Dr. Idris has the necessary determined will that will enable him, with the support of one and all, to build upon what his predecessor, Dr. Arpad Bogsch has achieved.

"I, for one, consider Dr. Bogsch as the father of this Organization. We hope that Dr. Idris will be as good a successor to such an outstanding predecessor. Dr. Bogsch managed to lead WIPO to a position of eminence throughout the world. The Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan has a great deal of respect for him and wishes him good health and very good wishes for the future."

54. The Delegation of Bulgaria made the following statement:

"First of all, I would like to address to Dr. Bogsch words of sincere gratitude and deep respect for your outstanding contribution to the development of the Organization and for raising its prestige.

"I would say that Dr. Bogsch is an epoch and represents the golden age in the life of WIPO. Your charm and authority are a serious challenge, but I do not doubt that the new Director General will respond to it.

"On behalf of the Bulgarian Delegation, I would like to congratulate most cordially Dr. Idris on his appointment to the post of Director General and wish him success and further fruitful cooperation. Bulgaria, although a small country, aims at extending its activities and contribution within the large family of the Organization's member States. We shall feel honored and pleased if one of the first countries you, Dr. Idris, will visit is Bulgaria, where the problems of intellectual property now get a real meaning and where I am sure you will always find friends and readiness for collaboration. And the only thing left for me to say is good luck, Dr. Idris."

55. The Delegation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia made the following statement:

"First of all, on behalf of the Delegation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and myself, I would like to congratulate you on your election. Also, I would like to congratulate the International Bureau on the excellent preparatory documents.

"Dear Dr. Bogsch, your leadership led us to the era of an organized world system of intellectual property. This system became a powerful instrument for support of the activities of the creative mind. Taking into consideration that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia became a member of this system during your guidance, we would like to stress our gratitude for your help in the process of establishing our organization. Our system for the protection of intellectual property complements the international system for the protection of intellectual property rights.

"The signing of the Agreement for collaboration with the European Patent Organisation which recently was ratified by the Macedonian Parliament, including the RIPP Program, part of the PHARE program, the ratification of the European Convention relating to the formalities required for patent applications, the Convention on the unification of certain points of substantive law on patents for inventions, the Hague Agreement for the International Deposit of Industrial Designs, the Rome and Phonographic Conventions, are proof that the Macedonian Government has decided to follow and to participate in the activities for enforcement of the global system of intellectual property protection.

"Dear Dr. Idris, we warmly congratulate you on your election to the post of Director General of WIPO. We share the opinion of all the other delegates and delegations which are present here in this conference room, that the words which have been said in your acceptance speech will be transferred very soon from the beautifully shaped vision to a strong organized reality.

"Furthermore, we believe that WIPO, under your leadership, dear Dr. Idris, will continue to be a strong fortress of the world system for direction and navigation of the protection of intellectual property in the coming unpredictable years of scientific and technological change.

"In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, we are ready to continue with our confirmed course towards further strengthening not only the legal but also the promotion component of the efforts for the protection of intellectual property.

"Until today, you were unselfish in assisting those countries which are in the process of developing or in transition, and that is the reason why we fully believe that in the following days, your assistance shall be more intensive and with higher quality.

"We wish you great success in your work on these challenging matters of intellectual property."

56. The Delegation of Uzbekistan made the following statement:

"First of all, Madam Chairman, I should like to congratulate you on being elected as the Chairman of the General Assembly and I would also like, of course, to wish to you the best of success and the best of health.

"I would like to pay tribute to the services of Dr. Bogsch, a very wise and outstanding personality of our times. Under his leadership, as all previous speakers have indicated here, WIPO has become a very noted and very important international organization. I would like to thank him for the considerable assistance which he has given to us in helping us set up a patent office in Uzbekistan. Last year, Dr. Bogsch came to Uzbekistan. He met with our President and his visit made a good impression on our Government and on our people, as did the fact that he has given a great deal of help to developing our patent system and our intellectual property system. The help which he gave to our country was such that he was elected an honorary member of the Academy of Sciences of Central Asia. This is recognition of the assistance and support that he has given to our people and our country. I think that Dr. Bogsch will give even more assistance to the development of the system and on other questions in the future.

"On behalf of my Delegation, I would also like to offer my warmest congratulations to the new Director General, a person with, I feel, a great future, with a broad international outlook, with a considerable amount of knowledge, with great potential and with a considerable intellect who has gone through all the various stages of service in WIPO and in the diplomatic corps. I think that we have been very fortunate, because we are now on the threshold of the twenty-first century. The twenty-first century, as we all know, will be the century of information technology, the century of new materials, new technology and the even wider and broader use of technological achievement. Therefore, it is important that our new leader is a person of such standing, such experience and such knowledge.

"We have elected him unanimously and I believe we have done the right thing. I would like to wish the new Director General all possible success in his very important work and express the hope that he will raise the activity and work of WIPO to even higher standards. I hope that under his leadership it will continue to play its important role in promoting intellectual property and intellectual property rights. In his acceptance speech he emphasized development cooperation as one of his five priority areas. I believe his five priority areas have been correctly selected. I think they are all very necessary to us and if we are to follow those priorities I think we are bound to achieve great success under his leadership. Uzbekistan has always supported and will always support the decisions of WIPO and of its Director General. In the future, I think we will continue to work in this way and I hope we will continue to be an effective member of the Organization.

"Again, I would like to wish the new Director General the best of health, the best of luck and again I would like to emphasize the great assistance and support that Dr. Bogsch has given to us. I would wish him happiness and health in the future and I hope he never stops his active life. I am sure he will continue to become wiser and more experienced. I do not think he is simply retiring and going to get his pension. He is doing that, of course, but I think he is also going to continue to work in the interests of WIPO and its activities."

57. The Delegation of Saudi Arabia made the following statement:

"Madam Chairperson, allow me first of all to express Saudi Arabia's congratulations to you for your election to the presidency of our General Assembly. I would like to wish you full success. We are fully convinced that your experience and abilities will guide us towards a successful Assembly.

"Madam Chairperson, allow me to express my admiration for the outstanding services rendered by Dr. Arpad Bogsch during his directorship of this Organization. His wisdom, his knowledge, his abilities have made WIPO an organization that has achieved many an outstanding feat. His abilities, his sound guidance, have undoubtedly guided this Organization towards a better knowledge of the needs of developing countries in the field of intellectual property. This Organization has provided such countries with technical assistance that has undoubtedly enabled them to achieve their ambitious technical programs. We would like to wish Dr. Arpad Bogsch success, further health, happiness, in the forthcoming phase of his life.

"Madam Chairperson, on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I would like to express our happiness and welcome the election of Dr. Kamil Idris as a Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. I would like, on behalf of my Government, to express our sincere congratulations on his election. Dr. Idris, I am fully convinced of your abilities to guide this Organization due to the faith and outstanding abilities and personal qualities and the undoubted experience in the field of diplomatic endeavor. Dr. Kamil, you have shown a technical ability, you have proved that you have a very outstanding position in the field of intellectual property, you have shown your dedication to your work throughout your career within this Organization. Dr. Idris, we have listened very carefully and in great hope to your opening statement and acceptance speech which indicated your sincere intentions to achieve ambitious goals for this Organization. They are transparent and are very soundly organized from the administrative point of view. You have expressed and shown your courage vis-à-vis the challenges of the future. One of the first challenges currently facing developing countries, Sir, is the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement within the World Trade Organization. We are fully convinced that this matter will be the object of Dr. Idris' concern and attentions and will be the center of all consultations he is planning to undertake. We express our full support for his work in this field. We are convinced that the staff members of this international organization will give the very best of support to Dr. Idris and we are convinced that Dr. Curchod, the Deputy Director General, will be of very great help to you in this field and in this activity. We would like, once again, to reaffirm to you, Sir, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's full intention to cooperate with this Organization under your directorship. We look forward to further cooperation to achieve our ambitious goals."

58. The Delegation of Denmark made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Danish Delegation, I want to congratulate you, Madam President, on your new position as President of the General Assembly. We are looking forward to your effective and kind Chairmanship in this connection-as we have already enjoyed your skills in this field during your spokesmanship for Group B.

"I also want to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on your post as Director General of WIPO. It is an enormous challlenge you have accepted to take up. But we all feel sure that you will be able to cope with this challenge. We wish you every success and promise you full support in the years to come.

"On behalf-not only of the present Danish Delegation, but also of the Danish Government and Danish industry-I finally want to thank you, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, for your dedicated work through many years. In your time as Director General the importance of intellectual property has increased very much. You have a big part in this success.

"It has been an enormous task, performed in a great manner, and in full accordance with the mission of intellectual property in the world. I quote from one of the WIPO publications:

"Protection of industrial property is not an end in itself. It is a means to encourage creative activity, industrialization, investment and honest trade. All this is designed to contribute to more safety and comfort, less poverty and more beauty in the lives of men."

"Thank you Dr. Bogsch."

59. The Delegation of Benin made the following statement: :

"Madam Chairman, I would like to assume the pleasant duty of addressing to you, on behalf of the Delegation of Benin, my warm congratulations on your brilliant election and on the election of your Officers and express to you the confidence placed in you by the Delegation of Benin for the perfect conduct of the proceedings of our meetings.

"As you may well imagine, my country, Benin, welcomes the final choice made to appoint Dr. Kamil Idris to the post of Director General of WIPO. My country is all the more proud for the fact that it had the privilege of receiving Dr. Kamil Idris and is aware that the intrinsic moral and intellectual qualities of this brilliant and worthy son of Africa make him a very good choice to assume the highest functions of our prestigious Organization.

"My Delegation cannot fail to thank Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the outgoing Director General. My country, Benin, is most grateful to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for all the assistance on many occasions and in many shapes that it has received from WIPO, an assistance that has enabled it to set up its own industrial property structure and a collective body for the administration of copyright. Due to the assistance from WIPO, copyright and the concepts of industrial property are well known in Benin. I am aware that this assistance has been due to the strong personality and charisma of Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has made WIPO, no one can deny, a thriving and envied Organization.

"Dr. Arpad Bogsch, may the Lord, God Almighty, watch over you and make your well-deserved retirement a time of peace and happiness.

"Dr. Kamil Idris, the Delegation of Benin, by my voice, wishes to assure you of the unfailing support of Benin to make your mandate at the head of WIPO a successful and beneficial mission for all the members of WIPO.

"The task is immense and delicate. The whole world, and Africa in particular, will now have its eyes turned on Dr. Kamil Idris. That is why my Delegation would ask that our Assembly should give to the new Director General elect, Dr. Kamil Idris, all the possible means of accomplishing his mission without fail. In that context, the new Director General could be invited to begin already now with the necessary consultations for his program of action with regard to the premises, the budget and to technological development, actions the color of which was announced to us in your program speech.

"For the present, Dr. Kamil Idris, it remains for me but to pray to God, the Merciful, that he should guide your steps and inspire you to set WIPO definitely in the orbit to which it has already been so admirably propelled."

60. The Delegation of Burkina Faso made the following statement:

"The Delegation of Burkina Faso would first like to congratulate you on your election to the post of Chairman of the WIPO General Assembly. It would also congratulate the two Vice-Chairmen; it views positively the quality of the preparation made for these present sessions by the International Bureau of WIPO and expresses its keen thanks.

"Yours is the heavy responsibility of conducting the supreme organ of WIPO on the verge of the twenty-first century, a century in which numerous challenges are to be taken up, to enable us to consolidate intellectual property rights throughout the world.

"We are convinced that you will succeed in the accomplishment of your missions, with the support of the States and, above all, of the dynamic and professional team of the International Bureau of WIPO.

"We owe the constitution and consolidation of that team to Dr. Arpad Bogsch. Indeed, we have all repeatedly acknowledged the qualities of Dr. Bogsch as an exceptional man who has given his all to our Organization so that it may shine brightly amongst the specialized agencies of the United Nations system. Therefore, the Delegation of Burkina Faso congratulates him and thanks him.

"WIPO is both prestigious and efficient; this is proven by the results obtained over the past decade in which intellectual property has affirmed itself throughout all the continents.

"Despite this spectacular development of intellectual property rights, pockets of resistance remain against the recognition and exercise of such rights at the level of each State, as at the international level. Moreover, new challenges already appear to which the international community has begun to react, at an important turning point in our existence: the forthcoming millennium.

"It is at this crucial moment that the direction of our Organization will pass from the hands of Dr. Arpad Bogsch to those of Dr. Kamil Idris.

"Dear Kamil Idris, the Government of Burkina Faso presents to you its hearty congratulations and its encouragement on the occasion of the unanimous recognition by the international community of your capability of directing the International Bureau of WIPO.

"You are a worthy son of Africa and a reference for its youth. Your professional qualities as a lawyer in international law and in intellectual property law, accompanied by your many qualities as a man, constitute assets that we appreciate highly.

"Dr. Kamil Idris, the Delegation of Burkina Faso has followed with great interest your speech of acceptance. Your program is clear, feasible and forward-looking since it throws a bridge towards the twenty-first century.

"You have set out to us five major principles that will govern your action at the head of WIPO:

- rigor in management

- transparency of that management

- the account taken by the International Bureau of the guidance given by the States

- active cooperation with other Organizations

- implementation of a policy of good governance.

"We adhere perfectly to those principles and we support the future actions for the development of our markets with the installation of legal security provided by the fight against counterfeiting and piracy.

"Remain assured that the Government of Burkina Faso will spare no effort to provide you with the material and human support necessary to accomplish your noble missions.

"We ask the International Bureau of WIPO to make available to Dr. Kamil Idris the technical, human and financial resources needed to prepare the various urgent tasks that the bodies have already entrusted to the new Director General.

"We welcome the availability expressed by Dr. Bogsch in that matter and we give him our infinite thanks."

61. The Delegation of Croatia made the following statement:

"It is my pleasure, first of all, to join the other delegations in congratulating you and the two Vice-Chairmen on the election to the posts of this Assembly.

"In this special, nearly historical, occasion when the changing of the WIPO leadership took place, allow me to join the previous delegations and to say a few words on behalf of the Delegation of the Republic of Croatia.

"I hope we, all present here, are of a unique opinion that the activity of Dr. Bogsch in the position of Director General of WIPO, marks a remarkable era in which WIPO built and strengthened the position of intellectual property in the world and in the same time constructed a strong interior structure of the Organization.

"Thus, I believe I share the opinion of all of us when expressing gratitude to Dr. Bogsch for investing an important part of his life into achievements witnessed nowadays by all of us. I hope that the results Dr. Bogsch is leaving behind, and the gratitude of all of us, will be at least some compensation for all those efforts which Dr. Bogsch dedicated to his mission during the last decades.

"As the Director of the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia, I had a great honor to meet Dr. Bogsch in 1992 when the Office of the Republic of Croatia began with its initial activities.

"My impression, on that first occasion, of meeting a special person, a true leader of an important international organization, but also a man of great knowledge, an erudite and amiable interlocutor, was only to be enhanced every time we met during our collaboration through almost six years.

"We are aware that directly and indirectly we have inherited the results of long-standing efforts of Dr. Bogsch and his associates in creating a strong, well organized and strongly directed world organization that has succeeded in affirming the area of intellectual property on a world scale and within itself in creating activities and departments capable of continual support and promotion of the world intellectual property system and in offering efficient help to national offices in their activities and mutual collaboration.

"Thanks, in the first place, to Dr. Bogsch's ability to recognize the requests of the moment and to his help, the Republic of Croatia very quickly and successfully took its position in the world intellectual property system. By visiting our office in 1994 at the beginning of activity of the Croatian office and giving full support to our activities and plans, Dr. Bogsch encouraged us to continue the construction of our national intellectual property system.

"I would like to avail myself of this occasion to stress the importance of the forthcoming establishment of a new and modern Croatian intellectual property system to be completely harmonized with the world intellectual property system. In that process, there will be effective collaboration of the Croatian intellectual property office and WIPO under the guidance of the new Director General.

"The arrival of Dr. Kamil Idris marks the beginning of a new era in which WIPO, together with national and regional organizations, its members, as well as with other world entities, will efficiently have to answer challenges of the new times that symbolically coincide with the advent of a new millennium.

"Congratulating very warmly the new Director General on the brilliant election, I would also like to express my certainty that Dr. Idris' impressive curriculum vitae and his past activities in WIPO are strong guarantees that WIPO has once again at its head a person capable of strengthening past results and answering future challenges together with his associates. The promising acceptance speech delivered by Dr. Idris yesterday assured us that our expectations will be fully met.

"I am in a position to relate that the Croatian intellectual property office is entering a period of important achievements in its development. After a period of growing up and stabilizing activities, we are starting a period in which, owing to our development of appropriate resources, we will become more and more an active partner in collaboration with WIPO.

"In the name of the Croatian Delegation and also my own, I would like to congratulate Mr. Idris once more and to wish him a successful chairmanship in WIPO, as well as to express our readiness for a full collaboration and assure that we can prove a reliable partner for future actions and projects of WIPO."

62. The Delegation of Cuba made the following statement:

"I should like to use my first words to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the WIPO General Assembly, and also the honorable representatives of Ecuador and Romania for their election as Vice-Chairmen. In the short time that has passed since you started presiding over this forum, we have all seen evidence of your kindness and skill in the discharge of your functions. I wish you success in the completion of your task.

"My Delegation wishes to express its great gladness and to address its warmest congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his promotion to the position of Director General of WIPO, and as we wish him the greatest success in his arduous task, we assure him that we are committed to giving him our most resolute support during the exercise of his mandate.

"If you will allow me to refer to the highly philosophical narration with which the distinguished representative of Trinidad and Tobago regaled us, I should like to comment, by way of reflection, on his beautiful message and tell you that, while it is sufficient for the sun to start shining and smiling to achieve its purpose, it does have to be added that the sun is capable of shining because it is capable of emitting energy, which in turn is transformed to light, and because with energy it is able to move the world, and the universe; and if it is able to smile because the universe is moving, this is a supreme expression of a harmonious and logical system. That is the why the sun is able to shine and smile. We are certain that Dr. Idris too will be able to shine and smile, as he has the skill and experience to move the world of WIPO, also in a balanced and harmonious fashion, and to make it achieve its highest objectives and aspirations. The program and the work projections that he presented yesterday for achievement during his term of office at the head of WIPO augur well for that.

"I wanted to await the end of my intervention before mentioning Dr. Arpad Bogsch and congratulating him, as the work that he has done during his time at the head of WIPO has enabled him to build the solid foundations of a great edifice that now rises up, full of power and promise. Dr. Bogsch will always be present at WIPO because, when we all admire this work, we will be bound to say that it was built up on the foundations set in place by him. That is bound to be a great satisfaction for him. I feel that it is not only for the results of his work, but also for his personal example of integrity and dedication, that Dr. Bogsch will always be a paradigm for all those who devote their work to the furtherance of intellectual property. I should like to highlight, in all the work that he has done, the impetus that he gave to cooperation with developing countries, which enabled those countries to achieve a praiseworthy level of development in their human resources, in the strengthening of their legal structures, in the computerization of national offices and in the high profile that they have given to this activity. In Cuba, Dr. Bogsch, you will always find a grateful country that values and respects that achievement to the utmost extent. We have no doubt that under the direction of Dr. Idris the cooperation with our countries will continue and develop even more, preparing them for the new challenges that intellectual property has to face in the coming twenty-first century."

63. The Delegation of Portugal made the following statement:

"I wish first of all to congratulate you Madam Chairman on your election to the Chair of the General Assembly of WIPO and also of course the honorable delegates of Ecuador and Romania who have been elected as Vice-Chairmen.

"On behalf of the Government of Portugal, I have great pleasure in congratulating Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment to the post of Director General of WIPO.

"I would congratulate also the countries of Africa, a continent that I like a lot, for having one of their citizens as Director General of the Organization.

"I have had the great privilege to follow the career of Dr. Kamil Idris in this Organization and that has enabled me to appreciate his excellent qualities as an organizer and an initiator, at the head of various sectors of activity. Within the framework of these activities, I would like to highlight the development cooperation activities conducted by WIPO and in which Dr. Kamil Idris has played a significant part.

"In addition to the qualities deriving from his training as a diplomat, Dr. Kamil Idris is also a remarkable expert in intellectual property and has given evidence on many occasions of his high level of legal knowledge.

"That is why the Portuguese Delegation is fully confident that Dr. Kamil Idris is altogether suited to these important functions and will respond effectively to the present and future demands made of the Organization at the beginning of a new millennium.

"The rapid development of today's science and technology, supported by the new technologies, demands an adequate response from intellectual property at the same rhythm of innovation and creativeness. Furthermore, we can see that the world is in a permanent state of change, particularly in the globalization of economic activities. Intellectual property is becoming ever more an integral part of those changes.

"These aspects contain the main challenges that will face the Organization, the member States and, most particularly, Dr. Kamil Idris. In that context, I would like to assure Dr. Kamil Idris that my Delegation, my Office and myself will give him our full support, our full cooperation and our full solidarity.

"I would also like to address to Mrs. Idris the sincere congratulations of the Portuguese Delegation on the appointment of her husband to the post of Director General of WIPO since we know that Mrs. Idris shares this event with understandable joy.

"Having said that, I have the pleasure to wish Dr. Kamil Idris every success in the exercise of his new functions.

"I would like to take this important opportunity to address to Dr. Arpad Bogsch my most sincere homage on the excellent work that he has accomplished at the head of the Organization.

"His utter dedication to WIPO, his exceptional qualities, his capacity for work and his distinguished personality have placed WIPO in a remarkable position within the United Nations family.

"Dr. Arpad Bogsch, to whom I address the deep gratitude of my Delegation and of my country, will always remain a worldwide reference in the field of intellectual property.

"I wish Dr. Arpad Bogsch continued good health and his traditional energy that I greatly admire."

64. The Delegation of Bolivia made the following statement:

"At this memorable gathering, the Delegation of Bolivia wishes to express its profound gratitude for the work done by Dr. Arpad Bogsch, which has worked to the benefit of the rapid development and dissemination of intellectual property.

"At the head of WIPO, Dr. Bogsch promoted the strengthening of an internationally recognized legal framework. He also placed special emphasis on technical cooperation activities, directed especially towards developing countries, in order to bring about the creation of an ideal framework for the protection of intellectual property rights, which is essential to the socially sustainable economic development of our peoples.

"The Delegation of Bolivia congratulates Dr. Kamil Idris on his well-deserved appointment, which reflects not only the confidence of member States in his professional talent and personal qualities, but also the promise of work that will be full of dedication, initiative and enthusiasm and will inject a new vitality into this Organization, concentrated on reciprocity and a balance of interests between its members.

"Bolivia assures Dr. Idris of its unreserved willingness to assist him in that work, which we are already certain will be highly successful and beneficial to the international community."

65. The Delegation of Madagascar made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, my Delegation would like to join the preceding speakers to congratulate you on the occasion of your election to the Chairmanship of this session, and also your two Vice-Chairmen, the representatives of Ecuador and Romania.

"My Delegation has no doubt, Madam Chairman, that, thanks to your competence and experience in the field of intellectual property, our work will be crowned with success.

"Madam Chairman, I wish to take the opportunity given me to convey, on behalf of my Government, our warm congratulations to Mr. Kamil Idris, whose election to the post of Director General of WIPO has just been confirmed by this Assembly. By proceeding in this way, the Assembly has undoubtedly made a very good choice, as the qualification, career and experience of Mr. Kamil Idris correspond perfectly to the required profile for a person to occupy this position of great responsibility. The only proof I require is the brilliant speech that he gave yesterday, containing the essence of his future action and showing in a manner that could not have been clearer his perfect mastery of the material. We are therefore convinced, Madam Chairman, that the Organization is in good hands, and we wish Mr. Kamil Idris great success in the discharge of his exalted duties. For our part we can assure Mr. Kamil Idris that he may rely on our support and our full and total cooperation.

"Madam Chairman, we would be failing in our duty if we did not pay tribute to Dr. Bogsch, the outgoing Director General, who has done so much for this Organization. Dr. Bogsch made incomparable efforts to hold aloft for 24 years the torch of WIPO, which, as some of you know, has achieved a great deal of success during the time of his masterly administration. We, the developing countries, are greatly indebted to the outgoing Director General for the action he has taken to promote profitable cooperation between our countries and WIPO in the protection of intellectual and industrial property.

"My country, which attaches very great importance to this cooperation, is in any case very grateful to WIPO for the assistance that it has always given Madagascar, and we are convinced that this profitable cooperation will continue in its multitude of forms under the new Director General. We wish Director General the best for his well-earned retirement, and Mr. Kamil Idris much success at the head of WIPO."

66. The Delegation of the Philippines made the following statement:

"On behalf of the ASEAN Delegations of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, allow me first to congratulate you on your well deserved election as Chairperson of this Assembly. ASEAN shares the expression of confidence of previous speakers that under your able leadership and expertise and experience, the WIPO General Assembly will be able to perform its tasks in the course of the next biennium. We would also like to congratulate Mr. Kamil Idris on his formal appointment as the new Director General of WIPO. The overwhelming support he received in the election process last March at the WIPO Coordination Committee, and the unanimous endorsement of his appointment today by the WIPO General Assembly testifies to the confidence this membership places in him and his leadership qualities.

"The ASEAN Delegations welcome the appointment of Mr. Kamil Idris which fully testifies to the trust placed by the member States of WIPO in his ability to take over from the strong leadership and unmistakable style which characterized his predecessor. His appointment at an important time will surely enhance the accomplishment achieved by the Organization in recent years. We look forward to Mr. Idris' leadership which is certain to capitalize on the past successes recorded by WIPO to infuse it with fresh dynamism and inspiration to meet the challenges of the new century. We also believe that with Mr. Idris' vigor and fresh perspective to the work of the International Bureau, and in consultation with WIPO member States, new initiatives, and visions in charting new directions for this important Organization will always predominate.

"The new Director General will have a daunting task ahead of him. The issues include reformulating the program and budget of the Organization for the biennium 1998-1999, possible reorganization of the International Bureau, new efforts to work out new protocols and copyright treaties on audio-visual and databases, and proposals to modernize the operations of the work of the Organization by taking advantage of new information technology. The ASEAN Delegations pledge their support to the new Director General and extend to him our fullest cooperation in carrying out those pressing tasks.

"We expect that an immediate task that will be taken up by the new Director General will be to restructure the International Bureau in accordance with his plans and mission agenda for the Organization. In this connection, ASEAN would like to take this opportunity to highlight the under-representation of Asian, and indeed ASEAN nationals at the higher echelons of the International Bureau. We hope that Mr. Kamil Idris will take into consideration this fact when he reorganizes the International Bureau, particularly in the choice of a new Deputy Director General to take up the post left vacant by his appointment to the post of Director General.

"The ASEAN Delegations would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the outgoing Director General Dr. Arpad Bogsch for his immense contributions to the Organization. The ASEAN Delegations, in particular, would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Bogsch for all that he has done for ASEAN, both as a regional group and as individual countries, in, and through the technical cooperation activities of the Organization. We thank him for his unreserving commitment to helping ASEAN in achieving a greater awareness of intellectual property issues, and in creating a more favorable intellectual property environment in our respective countries and our region. We sincerely hope that this commitment to ASEAN in the technical cooperation activities of WIPO, as demonstrated by Dr. Bogsch would continue under the leadership of Mr. Kamil Idris. The ASEAN Delegations would like to extend to Dr. Bogsch our very best wishes in his future endeavors.

"On a personal note, allow me to express a wish for a dear friend of many years, Dr. Bogsch, that he may have a long and happy life, and perhaps above all, knowing his nature and concern for the Organization, may you Dr. Bogsch discover that there is life after WIPO.

"Finally, Madam Chairperson, the ASEAN Delegations would like to once again warmly congratulate Mr. Idris on his appointment, and offer him our fullest support and cooperation in carrying out his duties as the new Director General."

67. The Delegation of Nigeria made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, my Delegation is taking the floor at this time for three main reasons.

"The first is to congratulate you and the two Vice-Chairpersons on your deserved elections to the highest offices of this Assembly.

"The second is to express the happiness of our Delegation and indeed our country over the appointment of one of the great sons of Africa, Dr. Kamil Idris, as the next Director General of WIPO. We wish therefore to take this opportunity to congratulate him and thank all the distinguished delegates, for the unanimous decision.

"Several Delegations who spoke before us have extolled the great qualities of Dr. Idris which have contributed to his suitability to succeed Dr. Arpad Bogsch. We agree entirely with those delegations. The appointment of Dr. Idris is a source of great joy and pride to my country and indeed all Africa, as it must be seen as a recognition of his competence, professionalism, excellence, integrity and sagacity.

"It is a tribute to the new crop of African professionals and leaders who Dr. Idris amply represents. Nigeria has no doubt that he will bring his wealth of experience as a scholar, an accomplished diplomat and administrator to WIPO to ensure that this Organization continues to be the number one specialized agency of the United Nations system of organizations.

"The acceptance speech of Dr. Idris yesterday gives new hope to us in the developing countries, of which his country is one, that WIPO under his leadership, will be responsive to the needs of developing countries in their quest to use their vast cultural assets and resources, to develop their economies and contribute to world knowledge and progress.

"Indeed Dr. Idris' background places him in a vantage position to appreciate the need for developing countries to be empowered in all fields of endeavors so that they can march together with the rest of the world into the next millennium.

"My Delegation welcomes the determination of the new Director General to ensure transparent accountability during his term, not only to debunk the generally-held negative view about managers from the developing world in this regard, but to ensure that WIPO under his administration will have adequate and sufficient resources for its programs. Our prayerful wishes are that WIPO will continue to flourish under the leadership of our brother and compatriot.

"The third is with regards to Dr. Arpad Bogsch. My Delegation salutes the tenacity, hard work, commitment and dedication which this intellectual giant has brought to bear on his work at WIPO during nearly a quarter of a century.

"As we listened to the distinguished Delegation of the United States of America enumerate his qualities as a leader, an administrator and scholar par excellence, which contributed to the solid development during his tenure at the helm of affairs at WIPO, we could not but recognize that Dr. Bogsch has indeed provided an enduring foundation and legacy on which WIPO will blossom.

"It is not often that Presidents send personal notes of appreciation to their nationals at the end of their international assignments as has been done in the case of Dr. Bogsch. This was disclosed yesterday by the distinguished US Delegate. President Clinton and the American people must have been greatly pleased with Dr. Bogsch's performance as an international administrator and civil servant in an important international organization.

"As Dr. Bogsch impressed the leaders of the world, so he affected the pace of development in the developing countries by persuading them to develop effective intellectual property administrations which he sees as the panacea for growth.

"He has been a true friend of the developing world as could be seen in WIPO's development cooperation program which aims at total capacity-building and utilization for developing economies.

"I cannot enumerate here the many benefits which we have received in Nigeria under Dr. Bogsch's tenure. But suffice is to say that WIPO's programs in Nigeria have impacted on our efforts to develop our cultural patrimony and integrate intellectual property management into our national development efforts to achieve lofty economic and social goals.

"I must place here and now on record, that Dr. Bogsch's visit to Nigeria last year and the encouragement and recognition by WIPO, of the efforts of our government in building a sound intellectual property administration, has sensitized our leaders in government and industry to pay greater attention to intellectual property protection in the country. This of course is bound to positively affect our national growth.

"I wish therefore on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, including the intellectual property communities, some of whom he met during the visit, to thank Dr. Bogsch for his invaluable contributions to our country.

"We rejoice with Dr. Bogsch on Dr. Idris' appointment because only competent, confident and successful managers groom their colleagues to succeed them. Madam President, as we wish Dr. Bogsch and his wife a happy retirement, we dedicate ourselves anew and harness our energies with vigor to support Dr. Kamil Idris, who is stepping into Dr. Bogsch's shoes in WIPO, at this point in time, when intellectual property is playing a vital and an unprecedented role in national and global development. To you Dr. Idris, Africa supports you and will always stand by you."

68. The Delegation of El Salvador made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Delegation of El Salvador, I wish to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the thirty-first series of meetings of the WIPO Governing Bodies, which is a cause of particular satisfaction.

"At the same time, the Delegation of El Salvador wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the outgoing Director General of WIPO, who for more than two decades has directed this Organization, and whose tangible achievements, in the case of our country in particular, are clear from the challenges met, both in the field of copyright and in that of industrial property. We also thank Dr. Bogsch for having promoted projects, through the International Bureau, at both the regional and the national level, which have made considerable progress possible in the intellectual property field.

"Dear Dr. Bogsch, it remains only for us to tell you that we shall remember you in a very special way, and that we wish you a happy retirement in the company of your enchanting wife and other members of your family.

"This Delegation takes the opportunity to express to Dr. Kamil Idris the pleasure of the Government of El Salvador on his election to the post of Director General of WIPO. It is nothing but the best of wishes that our country offers him, and hereby assures him of our full cooperation and support in the difficult task that he faces in the accomplishment of his complex duties.

"On this occasion, Director General, we wish to inform you that, in the opinion of our Delegation, it is of vital importance that priority consideration should be given within the cooperation programs to the training of human resources, especially in developing countries. To that end it is necessary to increase the information exchanges between officials of the private and public sectors in the form of seminars, workshops, training courses and so on. That will have the effect of multiplying the skills and experience acquired in the sectors involved with the subject that concerns us, and at the same time facilitating the realization of the various undertakings made in the complex framework of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations, in such a way that we may face the effects of the technological and computer revolution and adapt to the new order characterized by the international economic relations resulting from the phenomenon of globalization.

"To conclude, Madam Chairman, this Delegation expresses its best wishes for the success of your work during this sessional period."

69. The Delegation of Costa Rica made the following statement:

"The Delegation of my country wishes to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this Assembly, and also to congratulate the Vice-Chairmen, wishing all of you every success in the discharge of your duties. Our Delegation likewise expresses its endorsement of the statements made before this Assembly by the Spokesman for the Latin American and Caribbean Group.

"Our Delegation wishes moreover to express to Dr. Arpad Bogsch our appreciation for the valuable assistance that Costa Rica has received from him and from this World Organization in recent years. Dr. Bogsch, your action and dedication during the last 25 years, sowing the seed of intellectual property on this planet, has known no frontiers. Today we can convey our gratitude to you and wish you every success in your future plans, because you do indeed deserve such success, but we also know that your attention and your thoughts will at all times be present at WIPO, especially in coming days as you prepare all the recommendations and wise advice to be given to your successor. Dr. Bogsch, we are sure that you will now be able to benefit even more from the success of the seed you have sown. Your harvest is a guarantee that States are prepared to face up repeatedly to the intellectual property challenges of the new millennium.

"The Delegation of Costa Rica is delighted with the election of Dr. Kamil Idris as the new Director General of this World Organization, and takes this opportunity to convey to him its best wishes for the work that this Assembly has entrusted to him in this important position. His wide legal and practical knowledge in the intellectual property field, in addition to his vast diplomatic experience, are a guarantee that, with such statesmanlike wisdom and farsightedness, we shall be extremely well directed as we face all the intellectual property demands of the developed and developing worlds. Dr. Idris, we assure you today of the full support of the Government of my country in all the action and all the programs that you are planning for the benefit of intellectual property in the near future. Costa Rica will be very pleased to take part in your excellent program of information technology as an instrument of development. The way of the new millennium is long and arduous, but our resolution and optimism is so much stronger that together we will make our way through it."

70. The Delegation of the Netherlands made the following statement:

"May I first of all congratulate you on your election to this important post.

"I consider it an honor and a privilege to welcome Dr. Kamil Idris as the new Director General of this Organization. His leadership of course will be different from that of his predecessor, but we are sure that his energy and dedication will help him to maker his leadership successful.

"Having heard his impressive acceptance speech, we look forward to cooperating with Dr. Idris in the years to come. Turning myself to the present Director General, I express the sincere gratitude of my Government for the important work that he has done for so many years in the interest of this Organization and of the protection of intellectual property all over the world. If one day, as we might hope, the history of WIPO in the last quarter of this century will be written down, this book at the same time will be a monument to the person of Dr. Arpad Bogsch."

71. The Delegation of Guinea-Bissau made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, permit me to congratulate you on your election to the Chairperson of the General Assembly of WIPO.

"My congratulations go also to Dr. Kamil Idris for his election to the post of Director General of our Organization and I wish for his mandate every success.

"I take this opportunity given to me to pay homage to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the outgoing Director General, for the excellent organizational quality and for the immense contribution made to the Portuguese-speaking countries of Africa during his mandate.

"To close, Madam Chairman, my Delegation wishes a life full of success to the outgoing Director General, Dr. Bogsch, and to his successor, Dr. Kamil Idris."

72. The Delegation of Malta made the following statement:

"I would like to offer our sincere congratulations to you Madam on your appointment to the WIPO General Assembly.

"My Delegation would like to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as Director General of WIPO. The unanimous decision behind his appointment reflects the confidence the member States have in Dr. Idris.

"Dr. Idris carries a wealth of knowledge and expertise. His intellect, competence and warm personality will ensure effective leadership. Dr. Idris assumes responsibility at a very challenging time. His enthusiasm and enterprising vision as outlined in his acceptance speech yesterday morning strengthen our belief in his abilities to guide WIPO into the next millennium. My Delegation wishes to join the other delegations in supporting Dr. Idris and wishing him well in his endeavors at the helm of WIPO.

"Last but not least, my Delegation wishes also to express our appreciation and thanks to the outgoing Director General Dr. Bogsch for his untiring work and sterling leadership of WIPO over the past decades. We wish him a happy and long retirement."

73. The Delegation of Italy made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, I wish to associate myself with the speakers that have preceded me in congratulating you warmly on your election to the Chair of the thirty-first General Assembly of WIPO.

"Under your direction, I may assure you that the Italian Delegation will work in a concrete manner and will give its whole-hearted cooperation.

"Our congratulations also go to Dr. Kamil Idris, the new Director General as from 1st December. The Italian Delegation is very aware of the important task that awaits him, that is to say to lead WIPO into the third millennium. Dr. Idris will certainly succeed in safeguarding the full autonomy and integrity of WIPO and in reinforcing its influence in the world whilst ensuring its future growth in the context of globalization, liberalization and particularly of development.

"We have noted the various ideas put forward in his opening declaration and we are most satisfied. In that respect, the Italian Delegation wishes to reaffirm its full support for the initiatives and the program that the new Director General is to propose to us during his mandate.

"The Assembly has entrusted a precise mandate for the presentation of the program and budget in future years, at the latest by the month of March of each new year. We strongly hope that the new Director General will always be in a position to achieve this work of which the definition has been expressly reserved to the member countries. It will indeed be his first task in the exercise of his new functions and I would ask you to consider what I have just said as a formal proposal which I hope will be shared by himself and by the other Delegations.

"Finally, our warmest homage goes to the current Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, who is soon to complete his mandate after 24 years of constructive and effective work. Thanks to Dr. Bogsch, WIPO has been able to achieve the exceptional level of its competence and authority of the eve of the year 2000. I associate myself fully with the unanimous praises that I have heard pronounced by the other Delegations. I wish for my part to emphasize the great human qualities and the diplomacy that have always characterized the action of Dr. Bogsch even in the most difficult moments of WIPO. It is these qualities, together with the great competence of Dr. Bogsch, that have enabled WIPO to become the catalyst and the booster for new initiatives that have always led to a strengthening of intellectual property. My Delegation finally wishes to close by reaffirming its will to cooperate with WIPO along the lines set out by Dr. Idris and to assess any initiatives that will launch WIPO into the third millennium."

74. The Delegation of Swaziland made the following declaration:

"The Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland joins other delegations in congratulating you and your Vice-Chairmen as Chairperson of the august General Assembly of WIPO, Ms. Batchelor.

"The Kingdom of Swaziland places great importance to the activities of WIPO and it is in this spirit that this Delegation also highly congratulates Mr. Kamil Idris, a national of Sudan as the first African Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Mr. Idris, my Delegation wishes you a fruitful and happy period of service in the Organization during your tenure as Director General.

"My Delegation is most grateful to WIPO for assistance in the following fields:

(i) Modernization of the copyright and trademarks legislations to conform with the TRIPS Agreement;

(ii) Training afforded to its staff on copyright administration and trademark examinations;

(iii) an African Regional Introductory Course on Industrial Property Rights that was recently held in Swaziland during the month of September.

"Madam Chairman I am also happy to report about the following developments in Swaziland.

(i) The Swaziland Government has managed to send two of its officials for long-term training in the United States of America on intellectual property rights;

(ii) Swaziland has formally opened a Copyright Section and has attached three officials to man the Section. The new Copyright Bill which has been drafted with the assistance of WIPO will be piloted in Parliament between October and November 1997;

(iii) The Patent Bill was passed by Parliament as Swaziland's legislation in October last year (1996).

"Lastly Madam Chairman, the Delegation of Swaziland is grateful to WIPO for the continued cooperation in solving all the intricacies involved in the protection and registration of industrial property issues in developing countries.

"On behalf of my country and other developing countries, it is requested that WIPO continues to mount more regional courses and more specialized seminars on industrial property issues to sensitize our governments on the importance of this subject and also provide attachments for our staff to both developed and developing countries."

75. The Delegation of Israel made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Delegation of Israel, I would like to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his election to the post of Director General of WIPO, which our Delegation warmly supported due to his personal talents and achievements and also since after all he comes from our region, a sunny and hot region which we hope will be more peaceful in the future.

"We also thank Dr. Idris for his forward-looking inaugural policy statement. In this connection, special emphasis should be placed on the oversight and the accountability systems of the Organization. The same applies to the use and concentration on new technological changes. WIPO must keep pace with these developments in the dawn of a new millennium.

"The ideas of establishing the Intellectual Property Academy, WIPO market orientation and the two Advisory Commissions, are also very well taken, and we would be pleased to assist in these undertakings.

"In the final analysis, it is the issue of enforcement with which WIPO should be especially concerned, both at the international and national levels. In addition to TRIPS, the WIPO draft Treaty for the Settlement of Disputes between States in the Field of Intellectual Property, should be seriously considered, as also proposed by the Delegation of the Republic of Korea.

"Finally, the Delegation of Israel wishes to join all other delegations in thanking Dr. Arpad Bogsch for his great achievements and leadership during almost a quarter of a century as Director General of WIPO. I have personally known Dr. Bogsch since the sixties, while working for the United Nations in New York. Dr. Bogsch was helping us in preparing the major report on the Role of the Patent System in Economic Development of Developing Countries which was a major international issue at the time and to some extent still is. Later on, in the 1967 Stockholm Conference, Dr. Bogsch was able to overcome opposition from various interested bodies, including the United Nations and UNESCO, and bring about the establishment of WIPO. Later on, this Organization, due to Dr. Bogsch's leadership, became the major international body in the field of intellectual property, and a specialized agency of the United Nations. This has not always been easy, and one may recall at least the struggle with other competing agencies such as UNCTAD and WTO. If WIPO today is recognized as probably the most efficient and viable organization in the international arena, we should thank Dr. Bogsch. As we know him, he will not be satisfied with relaxed retirement, and we are confident that he will continue to contribute to intellectual property activities in other domains.

"So best of luck and wishes and good health to Dr. Bogsch and best wishes to our Director General elect, Dr. Kamil Idris."

76. The Delegation of Slovenia made the following statement:

"Madam Chairperson, let me first congratulate you and both Vice-Chairmen for being elected to the Chair.

"My Delegation is confident that, under your already amply demonstrated, able leadership, the work of this Assembly shall be effective and successful.

"Madam Chair, it comes certainly as no surprise that we have asked for the floor because we wish to express our most sincere and warm congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris upon his election as the new Director General of WIPO. This acceptance speech which we have heard yesterday is the best, and most convincing, evidence of his professional and managerial skills in the complex area of intellectual property; of his political wisdom; and of his eloquent vision. My Delegation strongly believes that WIPO shall be in most appropriate hands in the fascinating, and at the same time challenging, forthcoming period when the world is approaching the next millennium with entirely new social, economic and cultural phenomena. It is therefore our sincere pleasure to declare to Dr. Idris our full support and cooperation in his important work. All the best, dear friend!

"Madam Chairperson, our next remark is devoted to the outgoing Director General of WIPO, Dr. Arpad Bogsch. It is very difficult for me, Madam Chair, to find appropriate words which could be addressed to such a remarkable person-a person who created a piece of history with his tireless efforts and subsequent achievements during 24 years of his leadership of WIPO. By this Dr. Bogsch has ensured a place in the contemporary history for himself as well and, in our opinion, this place is well deserved.

"Having stated how difficult it is for me to find appropriate words for Dr. Bogsch, I also have to recognize that many previous speakers have succeeded in finding such words. Lacking personal ability for original expression of the same ideas and fearing the risk of copyright infringement by unauthorized use of statements, already made about Dr. Bogsch by my distinguished colleagues speaking earlier, I have virtually no other choice than to restrict my remarks to express just our most sincere and profound gratitude for all the support and assistance which Dr. Bogsch, and the International Bureau of WIPO under his leadership, has extended to Slovenia as a new country born barely six years ago, helping it to achieve noted and respectable results in the field of intellectual property in the record time of just a few years, despite the fact that Slovenia had to start its activities in this area from scratch.

"Dear Dr. Bogsch, I sincerely and warmly wish you, and your wife, good health, many pleasant moments, and overall happy retirement in the many many years to come!"

77. The Delegation of Turkey made the following statement:

"I congratulate you for being elected as the Chairperson for the WIPO General Assembly.

"On behalf of my Delegation, I want to express my warmest congratulation to Dr. Kamil Idris for being elected as the Director General of WIPO. He is the person who will carry WIPO and the intellectual property system to the twenty-first century.

"At this point, I want to express special thanks to Dr. Bogsch who started to work in BIRPI many years ago. Dr. Bogsch changed the structure by establishing WIPO. He is not only the father of WIPO but also some new international agreements in the field of intellectual property protection in the world.

"Under the leadership of Dr. Bogsch, WIPO has given valuable support and contribution to Turkey for establishing an efficient, strong and contemporary industrial property protection system.

"I believe that the industrial property system in Turkey will be developed and the experience gained by Turkey in establishing and administering the new system will be transferred to the other developing countries with close cooperation between WIPO and Turkey under the leadership and coordination of Dr. Kamil Idris.

"I wish a successful leadership to Dr. Kamil Idris and a long, happy life to Dr. Bogsch."

78. The Delegation of Morocco made the following statement:

"Permit me first to congratulate you on your election to direct the work of this Assembly. My congratulations also extend of course to the Vice-Chairmen.

"My Delegation would like to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his election as Director General of WIPO. His talent, his competence and his human qualities will doubtlessly enable him to lead WIPO in this era of globalization of the economy and of rapid development of information technology in which intellectual property rights deserve highly strengthened protection. The appointment of Dr. Idris constitutes a homage and a source of pride for all the Arab and African countries.

"My Delegation has listened most attentively to the speech by Dr. Idris setting out the main lines that will guide his management of our Organization. The principles and orientations that were announced can but be beneficial for the good functioning of WIPO and for the promotion and respect of intellectual property rights. Rest assured, Dr. Idris, that you may count on the support and collaboration of Morocco in the accomplishment of the task that has been assigned to you.

"Finally, my Delegation wishes to pay homage to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for all the work that he has carried out for our Organization."

79. The Delegation of Uganda made the following statement:

"Allow me Madam to congratulate you most warmly on your election to chair the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly. I have no doubt that under your able, wise and experienced guidance we will have very fruitful deliberations. My congratulations go equally to other members of the Bureau.

"As an African it is with a sense of pride that I wish to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his well-deserved appointment as the new Director General of WIPO. Given his intellectual background and long service within WIPO there could have been no better choice. The clarity with which he spelt out his vision for the future of the Organization in his acceptance speech gives much hope and encouragement. We welcome his emphasis on transparency and accountability in running the Organization. Mr. Idris is not a stranger to Uganda, indeed we have fond memories of his last trip to Uganda when he represented the Director General to officiate in a seminar organized by WIPO on industrial property rights.

"We commend WIPO's efforts in the field of industrial property rights but also urge the Director General to put priority on educating developing countries in understanding intellectual property rights. The distinguished Delegate from India ably outlined the bottlenecks facing developing countries in this regard: lack of adequate infrastructure, poor domestic legislation and institutions, need for training...etc. We share his views. The Organization should effectively assume its role in addressing these problems. It should help developing countries grapple with and benefit from the WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and other pertinent Uruguay Round Agreements. We believe WIPO is in a unique position to provide useful information and advise on those multilateral treaties.

"Dr. Idris is taking over the leadership of this Organization at a critical juncture when a new global economic architecture is being put in place.

"The emergence and rapid diffusion of technologies through the creation of new products, processes and services are restructuring the global economy. Indeed the buzzing words around people's lips these days are liberalization, globalization, contestability of markets and marginalization. Intellectual property rights are a critical element in protecting the bundle of rights for innovators thus facilitating more technological development. It is critical however that this bundle of rights is not used as an impediment to the transfer of technology to developing countries which they so badly need if they are to benefit from and be fully integrated into the global economy. WIPO has a critical role to play in this regard.

"It is our hope therefore that WIPO will continue to play an important role in bridging the gap between developed countries and developing countries so that the latter are not marginalised. The new Director General can facilitate this by creating an environment for dialogue between the parties as his predecessor had started. We are convinced that with cooperation from member States the Organization can realize his vision. I wish to ensure him of Uganda's support.

"Before concluding I wish to pay a well deserved tribute to Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has contributed immensely in making WIPO the success story it is today. As the distinguished delegate from the USA vividly stated to many, WIPO is synonymous with Dr. Bogsch. It is hard to think of one without the other coming to mind. He has left a very good legacy for us to build on. We in Uganda appreciate his initiative regarding the Development Cooperation Program for Industrial Property Rights. As a developing country we have benefited from those seminars, training courses and symposia geared towards the improvement of intellectual property protection in developing countries.

"We wish Dr. Bogsch well in his future endeavors and a happy retirement."

80. The Delegation of Panama made the following statement:

"Allow me, like my colleagues who have spoken before me, to address to you our congratulations on your election to the position of Chairman of this Assembly, which we extend, through you, to the Officers.

"It is a genuine pleasure, Madam, to see a woman occupying such an important position at WIPO, which is not usual, either for political appointments or for career appointments in the professional and/or administrative sectors of the International Bureau. We hope that your election will point the way towards greater participation for women in our Organization.

"Yesterday we listened with great interest and attention to the magnificent speech by Ambassador Idris on his acceptance of the position of Director General. On behalf of the Government of Panama we wish to convey our congratulations to you, assuring you that you can rely on the full collaboration of our Delegation in the highly important task that you have taken on for the future.

"We have every confidence that your diplomatic experience and knowledge of the subject matter, as well as of the institution that you will be directing, will in themselves assure you of success in your post.

"For Panama, which like many here present is a developing country, the statements made by Ambassador Idris contain fundamental elements that we share and that will serve to strike a balance by affording our countries better participation in this great international debate; this is an essential factor given the growing importance of the subject and also the need for us to adapt to the technological changes that are crowding our doorsteps.

"In recent months Panama has been taking the necessary steps to create an infrastructure that will enable us to meet the international commitments that we took on as a new State party to treaties such as the Berne and Paris Conventions, but also those that we assumed on joining the WTO a few days ago.

"In this connection we wish to convey to the International Bureau and in particular to Dr. Bogsch our gratitude for your constant cooperation and your contribution to the various Panamanian institutions involved in this task.

"We also regard it as a highly positive gesture, Madam Chairman, that Ambassador Idris should already have at his disposal all the international machinery of the International Bureau, which will enable him, during this transitional period up to December 1, to adapt many of his innovative ideas to the International Bureau and to other WIPO programs.

"In conclusion, we hope that the concepts mentioned by Ambassador Idris will serve as the basis for the drafting of proposals which will impose a hierarchy on the decisions to be adopted in the course of this Assembly, in order to devise a strategy that reflects, within WIPO, the collective determination to collaborate that is repeatedly spoken of these days."

81. The Delegation of Belarus made the following statement:

"On behalf of my Delegation, I would like to begin by congratulating you on your election, and I would also like to congratulate other members of the Bureau.

"Further, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my gratitude to WIPO in general and personally to Dr. Bogsch. Dr. Bogsch and WIPO have made an enormous contribution to creating a system for intellectual property protection in Belarus. We have now been operating our system for five years. With a young country, we have a young system. But the fact that we have been able to develop our system, the fact that we have the legislative basis for it, the technical basis for it, the kind of training that has been done, to a large extent is due to the personal contribution made by Dr. Bogsch and by WIPO. For that reason, we greatly value his assistance within my country and my President and the people of Belarus would like to convey their thanks to him today.

"I am sure that Dr. Bogsch, being a very active person will not now simply desist from all kinds of activities. I know that he has a great deal of knowledge, a great deal of experience, and I am sure that he will continue to serve the cause of the protection and the development of the international intellectual protection system.

"Having said that, I would like now to congratulate Dr. Idris on his election to the lofty post of Director General of WIPO, and I would like to express our support for him. We fully support the principles here outlined in his speech yesterday, we believe that the close linkage which has been established between our State Patent Commission and WIPO is something which can never be destroyed and which in fact will continue to be strengthened in the future when Dr. Idris is at the head of the Organization. We wish you Dr. Idris every success and we would certainly lend the support of our Republic to you in all that you seek to undertake. We wish you every success."

82. The Delegation of the Central African Republic made the following statement:

"It is for me a privilege to take the floor on behalf of the Central African Republic on this historic occasion to congratulate you on your election at the head of this General Assembly. I would also like to congratulate the other elected Officers.

"The World Intellectual Property Organization has just appointed a new Director General in the person of Dr. Kamil Idris. The Central African Republic, my country, welcomes this appointment and joins with the other Delegations in presenting to him its congratulations and its wishes for success. In fact, this election is an honor for Africa and constitutes for Dr. Kamil Idris the summit of a brilliant career characterized by competence, loyalty and remarkable dedication.

"At the threshold of the new millennium, the mastery of the elements of intellectual property constitutes, in view of today's great technical and economic mutations, a considerable challenge for today's countries and more particularly for the developing countries. In order to meet that challenge, training remains a fundamental aspect with relation to intellectual property. That is why the Central African Republic has noted with great interest the proposal to set up a World Intellectual Property Academy as announced by the new Director General in his speech of acceptance. The Central African Republic also has high hopes that the already active cooperation with WIPO will undergo a new impetus under the direction of Dr. Kamil Idris. Already now, Dr. Kamil Idris may count on the standing support of the Central African Republic.

"I will not finish my words without paying, on behalf of my country, a special homage to Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has led our Organization for almost a quarter of a century with great wisdom and remarkable perspicacity. It is also with considerable gratitude that we remember that not only he initiated activities in favor of the developing countries but also all the projects he has realized at WIPO. On behalf of my Government, I wish him a happy retirement."

83. The Delegation of Mongolia made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Government of Mongolia and myself, please allow me to convey the warmest greetings and profound congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment to an important and responsible post of the Director General of WIPO.

"We believe that his academic skills, knowledge and work at WIPO and his ability and experience to develop effective cooperation between international organizations and the member States in the field of intellectual property will lead to further success of the functioning of the Organization. We do hope that under your able leadership we would develop cooperation with WIPO in the years to come.

"I use this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr. Arpad Bogsch who made a great contribution in strengthening WIPO and made it one of the strong organizations within the United Nations system.

"Under the brilliant leadership of Dr. Arpad Bogsch and intensive activities of the International Bureau of WIPO, a number of important international agreements, treaties and protocols on intellectual property have been adopted and are implemented by the Member States. No doubt that they serve as key guidance in formulating and developing the national intellectual property legislation in many developed and developing countries.

"As far as my country is concerned, Mongolia has joined the Convention establishing WIPO, the Paris Convention, Madrid Agreement, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and Hague Agreement during your directorship.

"Being a signatory of these conventions, agreements and treaties, Mongolia actively participates in different activities undertaken by WIPO in the Asia and Pacific Region."

84. The Delegation of AIPPI made the following statement:

"Madam Chairperson, let AIPPI, the International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property, first congratulate you and your two Vice-Presidents on your honorable election and let me thank you for allowing me as a member of a non-governmental organization to join in the congratulations to the election of the new Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris.

"We are confident that the dedication of Dr. Kamil Idris, his stamina and his energy, will help him to master successfully the great challenges that await you, Dr. Kamil Idris, and to carry the great responsibility that your new function implies. Cultural development and economic prosperity are key factors to our well-being. The beauty of intellectual property is that it plays an essential role for both. It sets the frame for cultural activities and economic progress. AIPPI, the International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property, a worldwide leading non-governmental organization in the intellectual property field, counts among its 8,000 members the leading industrial property specialists, inventors and users of both levels, agents and rightholders. It has the aim in common with WIPO. 100 years of cooperation with WIPO and its predecessors are behind us. AIPPI hopes to continue, for the benefit of a more effective intellectual property protection, this cooperation. We are at your disposal.

"AIPPI is aware of demands for faster legislation. Treaties are formed on three bases. They are embedded in a set legal framework, they must be acceptable to the needs of the users and they must be politically acceptable. AIPPI can contribute with its comparative law studies to identify deficiencies in the present situation in practice. It can show the possibilities of improvement within the legal framework. With its wide resource of users, AIPPI can make available expertise on all aspects concerning needs and acceptability of new legislation to users. It will be difficult to expedite legislation without loss of quality and, in consequence, an increased risk of rejection either by political bodies or users. Your fascinating speech, which addresses this issue, gives us a welcome and positive vision of the future of WIPO. We are particularly pleased that you include enforcement of intellectual property laws beyond formal enactment in your consideration. You may count on the full cooperation of AIPPI in all your future endeavors. And we hope, of course, to have a chance to welcome you at our next congress in Rio in May 1998.

"During the close cooperation of recent years, we have learned to respect highly and to admire the achievements of Dr. Arpad Bogsch as the father of modern international intellectual property protection and as the architect of today's WIPO. Friendship and personal affection for the now-departing Director General have grown out of our mutual efforts. AIPPI hopes to be able to continue to welcome Dr. Arpad Bogsch as its member of honor and special guest at its future international meetings. Let me close with an observation. WIPO is neither Arpad Bogsch nor Kamil Idris alone. WIPO's success is also the result of a brilliant and highly esteemed team of managers and collaborators. What has been achieved during the last years would not have been possible without the WIPO team, and we would not like to close without including them in our thanks, our appreciation and our hope for continuing cooperation."

85. The Delegation of FICPI made the following statement:

"Thank you, Madam Chair. As one Canadian to another, let me first offer my sincerest congratulations to you on your election and note how proud the Canadian intellectual property profession is to have its Commissioner of Patents and Registrar of Trade Marks honored in this way.

"As President of FICPI, a worldwide organization of intellectual property practitioners with over 3,000 members in over 60 countries, let me join with other distinguished delegates and interested bodies in congratulating Dr. Idris on his election as Director General. Clearly, he enjoys the confidence of all member States to which I would add the support of this Organization. His initial proposals in enhancing education in intellectual property and maintaining access to the intellectual property systems, at national as well as regional levels, are fully endorsed by this Organization. Similar sentiments were expressed in resolutions passed at the FICPI World Congress earlier this month. At that Congress, as practitioners we expressed concern over the emergence of bilateral discussions and urged the continuation of multilateral discussions where the views of all parties could be heard. We endorsed the proposed information technology program and noted how this would enable users in all countries to access intellectual property systems locally. We urged member States to ensure that it is possible to obtain national patents as well as regional patents through the PCT. We asked for the implementation of a supplementary search under the PCT as an effective cost-reduction measure of immediate benefit to the users. And finally, we noted how effective enforcement is essential if intellectual property rights are to be respected. We therefore look forward to contributing to these discussions in the future.

"People far more eloquent than I have noted Dr. Bogsch's many achievements. The regard with which Dr. Bogsch is held within FICPI can be judged by his election under our statutes as the first of only two honorary members, a status that is reserved for those people outside the profession who have made a significant and outstanding contribution to the field of intellectual property. FICPI has enjoyed a vigorous working relationship with Dr. Bogsch over the years. We have always found him willing to listen and act upon our concerns, to provide insights and embrace enthusiastically at least some of our ideas presented during our discussions. As President of an organization of practitioners, it is difficult to imaging carrying on our profession today without the innovations and developments introduced during Dr. Bogsch's tenure. WIPO, under Dr. Bogsch's leadership, has enhanced the value of intellectual property to the users of the systems and facilitated the role of the profession in advising users and protecting their innovations. We have every confidence that this will continue under the leadership of Dr. Idris and look forward to continuing our dialogue with WIPO.

"Finally, to Dr. Bogsch we wish a long and happy retirement and trust that as a continuing member of FICPI you will honor us with your presence at future meetings of this Organization."

86. The Delegation of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) made the following statement:

"CISAC wishes firstly to add its voice to those of the other speakers to express to you its warmest congratulations on your election to the Chair of this august Assembly.

"Madam Chairman, yesterday Dr. Kamil Idris in his first address of forward looking vision sketched out with eloquence and competence the main lines of his future action. The loftiness of the views he expressed and his mastery of the topics dealt with doubtlessly constitute an encouragement and a satisfaction to all those devoted to the spread and defense of intellectual property rights, and more particularly of copyright and neighboring rights. To be sure, Dr. Kamil Idris possesses in his person all those qualities required to lend an innovative character to our institutions that his assets enable him to move directly into the twenty-first century. Youth, dynamics, experience, competence, and not least amongst characters, humility, all these qualities turn a simple man into a man in the round, or as the poet said, a man of straw and of roses. As a non-governmental organization dealing with copyright and neighboring rights, CISAC cannot but welcome this choice.

"I have no need, Madam Chairman, to present our Organization to you. You know it sufficiently through the relations it has had with WIPO over the years. It deals with copyright, as I have just said, and with the exercise of that right which is one of the basic characteristics of what we are going to do in the twenty-first century. In that respect, Madam Chairman, at the moment at which WIPO is setting about the second phase in its intellectual property activities, and its normative role has almost been completed, it would seem to me that CISAC could be of great use to it on account of its practical experience in the implementation of those rights. CISAC, therefore, through my person, renews the offer of its availability and cooperation, wishing full success to Dr. Idris, we would once more like to assure him of our faithful and untiring support.

However, Madam Chairman, to quote a philosopher of the end of the last century, even the most desirable of changes bear with them melancholy. When making that claim, the philosopher was speaking of a departure and an arrival and, consequently, of the changes that implied. However, in our case the situation is different. Although there is a change, it is more, and happily so, of a change in continuity. Dr. Arpad Bogsch who today passes the leadership to his Deputy Director General, Dr. Idris, may be proud of the role he has performed within this Organization for half a century. Permit me, Madam Chairman, to personally mention in this context that I have had the honor and privilege to be involved with this institution for more than a quarter of a century and also to work with the men inside it. I met Dr. Arpad Bogsch for the first time, I believe, on the morrow of the 1967 Stockholm revisions. I see him again in his high stature striding along the corridors of the Palais backwards and forwards between the intergovernmental and the national organizations and between the developing countries to obtain news and to give advice. Those are the memories that remain with us and beyond that we have also worked together on the transformation of BIRPI into a specialized agency of the United Nations system which has today led to the creation of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

"Other events have also marked out our path. Again it is a question of those various expert committees in which I had the honor to participate, particularly the mission requested by the United States of America to WIPO to determine whether its law was compatible with the Berne Convention. All these events show that our relations with the Organization did not begin yesterday and that we are perfectly aware of the intellectual and moral qualities that Dr. Bogsch has placed at the service of this Organization. On passing on the torch today to Dr. Kamil Idris, we think that the Organization, which has so far achieved remarkable work at the level of industrial property and also at the normative level with respect to literary and artistic property, should in the days and the months to come look in much greater depth at the exercise of that right that is most important for the developing countries. It is with great pleasure that we heard the statement by the current Director General when he expressed his concern that the program should be designed around the differences of each country, thus implying a reorganization of cooperation between WIPO and the various non-governmental international organizations. In this twenty-first century that we are approaching, the non-governmental international organizations that represent the concerned circles, as they are habitually called, have an important role to play and I believe that WIPO and the States may find their advantage in this important role. In any event, as far as CISAC is concerned it is willing to make its contribution to the Director General of WIPO and it is with that promise, Director General, and in wishing you every success and wishing a most happy and peaceful retirement to Dr. Bogsch, that I will close my speech."

87. The Delegation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Geneva made the following statement:

"Allow me, to begin with, to present to you, on behalf of the Organization of African Unity, my warmest congratulations on your election to the Chair of the General Assembly. I am convinced that you will direct this conference with success. I also address my congratulations to your colleagues, the Vice-Chairmen.

"Madam Chairman, your chairmanship begins at a historical moment since we are witnessing a change in leadership at the head of WIPO. A period of several decades has come to an end. It has been marked by the remarkable achievements of the Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, and it is a pleasant task for me to pay homage to him for everything he has accomplished at the head of the International Bureau. I may refer in this context to the fruitful cooperation and the very close relations that exist between WIPO and OAU and which have developed on account of the personal part played by Dr. Bogsch.

"A new era opens today with the election of Dr. Kamil Idris as Director General of WIPO. I wish to salute this event that we, at the Organization of African Unity, welcome with joy and with pride. It is indeed a historic moment not only for the OAU and its member States who designated you, Dr. Kamil Idris, as the single candidate of Africa for the post of Director General and perceive in you one of the best sons of Africa, but also for those who work in the field of intellectual property.

"At the OAU, we are convinced of your high, human and moral intellectual qualities joined to your talents as a proven diplomat and to your extremely rich professional experience both inside and outside WIPO, which make you the man the best suited to lead the Organization into the third millennium and to face the many challenges with which it will be confronted. There is no doubt that the important mission that has been entrusted to you will be crowned with success and we wish to assure you of the support and unfailing solidarity of the OAU and of its member States.

"Indeed, it was with great interest and keen satisfaction that we followed your speech of acceptance in which you defined your vision of the actions to be taken, with rigor and transparency, at the head of WIPO. That declaration also stressed your determination to coordinate the activities of WIPO with those of its member States and of all the users and other players who are partners in the field of intellectual property. We noted with the greatest satisfaction that the developing countries, and amongst them those of the African continent, remained a major priority in WIPO's task of cooperation and technical assistance. The machinery proposed to form the necessary link between the developed countries and the developing countries was greatly appreciated. We particularly welcome the envisaged academy within WIPO for the development of human resources in order to make intellectual property a dynamic factor in economic and social development. Finally, we believe that the excellent cooperation relations that exist so happily between OAU and WIPO constitute an asset in the efforts of the African countries concerned in promoting a significant development of intellectual property, with the aid of WIPO.

"Once more, I extend to you again, dear brother Dr. Kamil Idris, on behalf of the OAU, my warmest congratulations and my wishes for great success in your new mission."

88. The Delegation of Lebanon made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, I wish, to begin with, to congratulate you on your election to the Chairperson of our Assembly, together with the other Officers, and to wish all of your every success.

"I wish to greet most warmly the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris to the post of Director General of WIPO and to present to him our warmest congratulations. I would like to assure Dr. Kamil Idris of our full support and backing and of the pleasure that the Delegation of Lebanon will have in working with him. I wish on this occasion to pay homage also to the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, whose efficaciousness, dedication and encouragement over a period of 24 years has permitted WIPO to achieve its objectives. I would also like to note that with his encouragement the Lebanon has resumed its preponderant role in the field of intellectual property despite the difficulties that it has to overcome following 17 years of war. Moreover, we are confident that, with the aid of Dr. Kamil Idris, who was indeed one of the first officials of WIPO to visit Lebanon on mission, our country will overcome these obstacles so that it can meet the conditions required to accede to the TRIPS Agreement and to contribute even more actively to the various programs of WIPO."

89. The Delegation of the Slovak Republic made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Slovak Delegation I would like to congratulate you, Madam Chairperson, upon your election to chair this General Assembly meeting. We congratulate the two Vice-Chairmen as well.

"We would like to extend our warm congratulations also to the newly-elected Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, and we wish him all the success in his very challenging and responsible job.

"Our Delegation is pleased to express our deepest admiration and appreciation of the work of the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, for what he, and under his leadership, the World Intellectual Property Organization, have done in the field of the intellectual property rights protection throughout the world.

"We are honored that it was Dr. Arpad Bogsch himself who inaugurated our new Office of Industrial Property of the Slovak Republic in Banska Bystrica, September last year. We are very proud that in Slovakia Dr. Arpad Bogsch was awarded last year the Honorary Doctorate in Law, the first one ever awarded at the University of Mathias Bell, in the region, with which the family roots of Dr. Bogsch are connected.

"The activities of the Slovak Republic in the field of intellectual property rights protection are based and focused on fulfilling the tasks resulting from the membership of the Slovak Republic in the most important international treaties related to intellectual property rights protection. We are very much thankful to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for all the assistance he and the staff of WIPO provided to our Industrial Property Office which has existed only from January 1, 1993. Without this assistance, our new Office and the newly recruited staff would have been facing great difficulties in fulfilling all our duties connected with our membership in the treaties which we succeeded to from former Czechoslovakia.

"We were listening with great attention to the speech of the newly-elected Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris. We feel that he is very right in foreseeing the future of this Organization and that he is the proper personality to lead WIPO into the next millennium to achieve the aims and goals he outlined in his acceptance speech. The Slovak Republic shall extend all possible help to him and to WIPO in this noble task for the future benefit of mankind."

90. The Delegation of Ukraine made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Government of Ukraine and on my own behalf, allow me to congratulate you, Dr. Idris on your unanimous election as Director General of WIPO. You have worked in WIPO for many years and we know you well. Over the past three years, you have been the Deputy Director General, and we have seen in your work there how well you have promoted the aims of cooperation and development through the work of WIPO. That being so, we wish you every success in your future work. We know that hard times are ahead of us. We know that things will be extremely difficult for WIPO and that they have some very serious questions to resolve. Nonetheless, it is our hope that WIPO will continue to devote the attention required to countries in our region, to countries in transition. The Delegation of Ukraine listened to your speech yesterday with great interest and attention. Allow me to assure you that the Government of Ukraine will do its utmost to support you and to support the activities of WIPO in order to attain the goals which are the common goals of all member States of WIPO.

"Having said that, I must now return to the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch-I must pay tribute to him. He in fact was the originator of WIPO itself, and he has done a great deal to serve that Organization over the past 24 years. Undoubtedly, what has been done by WIPO under the leadership of Dr. Bogsch has made it one of the most successful United Nations agencies, one of the most successful members of the United Nations family. And we cannot fail to note the enormous assistance given through the personal involvement of Dr. Bogsch to the new States which came into being at the beginning of this decade. I am referring more particularly to the Independent States which arose out of the former Soviet Union. On behalf of the Government and people of Ukraine, I would like to thank you for your outstanding contribution, Dr. Bogsch, to the protection of intellectual property in our country.

"In conclusion then, I would like once again to congratulate you, Dr. Idris, on your election to the post of Director General. I would also like to wish you, Dr. Bogsch, and your wife every happiness in your future retirement."

91. The Delegation of Bangladesh made the following statement:

"Though basically I have taken the floor to congratulate Dr. Idris, it would be remiss on our part if I do not congratulate you first on your election as the President of the General Assembly for the next biennium. Therefore, please accept, Madam, our warm congratulations. We are sure under your able stewardship, our discussions and deliberations on many matters over the next biennium would be fruitful and result oriented.

"We value the immense contribution made by the out-going Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, to the development of this Organization. We would like to place on record our sincere appreciation for all that he has done for the promotion of intellectual property rights worldwide and for making WIPO a credible and viable organization.

"At this historic moment, we associate our voice with those who have warmly congratulated Dr. Kamil Idris on his deserved election as the new Director General of WIPO. We are very pleased to see a representative from the developing world at the helm of affairs of this important organization.

"We know Dr. Idris as an able and dynamic administrator. His far-sightedness is also well known. Yesterday, in his acceptance speech he outlined his own vision, ideas and ideals with regard to the future work of WIPO. We believe his vast experience in the field of intellectual property rights and his long association with WIPO would enable WIPO to flourish as a more vibrant, transparent, democratic and creative organization. At this moment, Madam Chair, our expectation is that Dr. Idris, during his term as Director General of WIPO, would develop more pragmatic and demand driven development programs for the developing countries and in particular, for the LDCs, which, we all know, are at the high risk of continued marginalization and vulnerability in the ever increasingly liberalized and globalized world polity.

"Madam Chair, you will agree that the least developed countries have special need in the area of intellectual property rights. This need has increased many folds with the emergence of WTO. We very much expect that the new Director General would look into the priority needs of the LDCs and strengthen WIPO's development cooperation activities in this special category of countries with a view to developing human resources, infrastructures and making new legislations. We wish Dr. Idris every success in discharging the responsibilities bestowed on him and assure him of our fullest cooperation in this regard."

92. The Delegation of Norway made the following statement:

"First, I would like to congratulate you, Madam Chair, as the very able President of this Assembly. Promoting women into higher posts of this Organization is one of the objectives of this delegation and electing you could be regarded as a valuable signal in this respect.

"On behalf of the Delegation of Norwary, I would also like to convey the most hearty congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his election as the new Director General of WIPO: This Organization faces-no matter how well-run it has been up to now-numerous and demanding challenges in the years to come and it is of the greatest importance that its International Bureau is headed by a person of great competence and personal integrity who can unite the various views and interests of the member countries.

"We are very confident that we have found such a person in Dr. Kamil Idris and I take his words yesterday as a confirmation in that respect, and we found those words particularly inspiring with a view to the future.

"In your efforts to develop this Organization further and to promote further intellectual property internationally, I can assure you of the full support of this delegation.

"At the same time, I take this opportunity to convey the deeply felt gratitude of this delegation to Dr. Arpad Bogsch and what he has achieved for this Organization. In my country, WIPO and Arpad Bogsch have become almost synonymous concepts and when we recognize the quality and prosperity of this Organization, we simultaneously recognize the ability and wisdom of Dr. Bogsch. We are very grateful for the way he has served this Organization and its member countries and wish him all the best for the future."

93. The Delegation of Honduras made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Government of Honduras, I convey to you my congratulations on your election as Chairman of this Assembly, which congratulations go also to the other Officers.

"The Government of Honduras likewise congratulates Dr. Kamil Idris and expresses its satisfaction on his appointment by the acclamation of the member States of WIPO to the position of Director General of our Organization. We are aware of the fact that he will have an arduous task to carry out, in which we wish him the best of success. The Government of Honduras would moreover like to convey to him the assurances that, through our country's Permanent Mission in Geneva, he may rely on our support throughout his term of office.

"Madam Chairman, the best word to capture the essence of the decade that we are living through is globalization, a process that is so full of implications for interdependence in each and every aspect dealt with by or program associated with this prestigious Organization, which is why my country supports WIPO in the mobilization of its collective skills, involving all countries, in order to continue to succeed in the achievement of its objectives.

"To Dr. Bogsch, a key personality who brought to the notice of the international community that which today is the acknowledged prestige of this Organization, my Government wishes to express the most profound appreciation and gratitude."

94. The Delegation of Argentina made the following statement:

"We are very pleased to see you presiding over this historic session of the WIPO General Assembly. We wish you the best in your important task, and you can be assured of the cooperation of our Delegation.

"The Argentine Government supported the nomination of Dr. Kamil Idris as new Director General of WIPO, and today it is delighted with the confirmation that the Assembly has given.

"Therefore, on behalf of my Government, I congratulate Dr. Idris on his brilliant election by the Coordination Committee and this confirmation by the General Assembly, and extend these congratulations to the Government of Sudan and the African Group. We have no doubt that his personal and professional qualities and his great experience of the Organization will contribute to the success of his future administration, and will make for a promising future for WIPO.

"In the last 48 hours, Madam Chairman, we have witnessed an unusual occurrence in this Assembly: practically all the Delegations have taken the floor to praise the Director General elect individually in the most cordial and laudatory terms.

"It could be thought that this is due to considerations of diplomatic tact, or perhaps a side-effect of the renewal process, which is always welcome. Our Delegation, on the other hand, takes it as a clear sign of the climate of consensus and cooperation currently prevailing in this hall, and I wish to emphasize that fact, as consensus is the essential ingredient for all our successes at WIPO.

"We are willing to support and actively participate in the future WIPO that Dr. Idris has mapped out for us. We agree with him on the need to continue to improve and modernize our intellectual property protection institutions, and also on the participation of Argentine users in the various legal regimes within the WIPO framework.

"We approve and endorse the objectives of rational management, transparency and technological modernization for the Organization. We believe, as Dr. Idris does, that there is a vast potential for cooperation between WIPO and other United Nations agencies in the widest variety of fields, in which protection and respect for intellectual property is combined with other objectives, such as the promotion of international trade, telecommunications, the exchange of cultural goods and services, environmental protection and in general the road towards the material and spiritual development of nations.

"Like other Delegations, we wish to end our intervention with a tribute to Dr. Arpad Bogsch. There is little that we can add to what has been said by other Delegations on his personality, his career and his achievements.

"In April of this year we had the great pleasure of his presence in Argentina for the inauguration of the new premises of the National Institute of Industrial Property.

"This was an auspicious and foundational act which, combined with the modern legislation recently enacted in our country, makes our relationship with WIPO very promising.

"Dr. Bogsch, in the name of the Argentine Government and especially the competent industrial property and copyright authorities of my country, I wish to salute you in the warmest and most fraternal way and convey our gratitude for everything done over these long years."

95. The Delegation of Malawi made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Malawi Delegation and indeed on my own behalf, I join all those who have spoken before us, to congratulate you, Madam Chair, for being elected President of this Assembly.

"Your election is a reflection of the confidence member States have in you personally, to guide this august gathering to successful conclusions of its deliberations.

"Allow me now, to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris, most warmly, on his confirmation as the new Director General of WIPO. We are aware of the enormous work and expectations which lie ahead of you. We are consoled however, by the confidence that with your abilities and experience, you will steer this Organization into the new millennium with success.

"May I assure you, Dr. Idris, of Malawi's full and continued support in furthering the activities of WIPO. We also hope that you will continue supporting our efforts to promote intellectual property rights in our countries.

"We have noted with interest the various new areas the new Director General intends to include in the future activities of the Organization. We are particularly interested in activities which will help promote, collect, analyze and protect indigenous technology, intangible heritage and folklore. Madam Chair, coming from a country where very little has been done to preserve these, we warmly welcome the Director General's work plan.

"We also welcome Dr. Idris' intention to strive for the widest geographical distribution in the deployment and recruitment of staff. This is a matter which has been raised in meetings of WIPO on several occasions.

"Allow me now, Madam Chair, to finally congratulate the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, for the excellent and outstanding leadership, which has enabled WIPO to achieve unprecedented success in its endeavors.

"For us, in Malawi, a lot has been done and achieved, during your period as Director General. We wish you, Dr. Bogsch, contentment, peaceful and enjoyable retirement."

96. The Delegation of Romania made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Delegation of Romania, I would like to congratulate you on your election to this high function. Through your competence, we are certain that the General Assembly of WIPO will be conducted with every success.

"We are faced by a most important event, that of the appointment of the new Director General of WIPO, in the person of Dr. Kamil Idris, whom we have the pleasure to congratulate and to wish every success.

"Some years ago, we had the pleasure to work directly with Dr. Kamil Idris for the implementation of a program of assistance to Romania, an occasion on which we were able to recognize his great competence, his open mind, his understanding of the problems raised. We are convinced that such a spirit will altogether govern his future activities.

"At the same time, we would like to underscore the exceptional merit of Dr. Arpad Bogsch in the development of WIPO and, implicitly in the whole field of intellectual property, throughout the last quarter of a century.

"His personality has transformed WIPO to a prestigious and dynamic Organization that has not been a simple administrator of international treaties, but also a body fully implied in technical assistance and based on a firm financial situation.

"As a recognition by Romania of his merits, the title of doctor honoris causa of the University of Bucharest was bestowed upon Dr. Arpad Bogsch in 1992.

"Finally, whilst expressing our appreciation to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, we would also wish every success to the new Director General of WIPO, Dr. Kamil Idris."

97. The Delegation of Guatemala made the following statement:

"Allow me, Madam Chairman, on behalf of my Delegation, to congratulate you and the other Officers on your election.

"Madam Chairman, one of the most valuable gifts of mankind is undoubtedly that of creativity and what emerges from it, namely that which the World Intellectual Property Organization has taken upon itself to promote, support and protect by means of conventions, treaties, protocols and other instruments, and it has been under the wise and sensible management of Dr. Arpad Bogsch that this Organization has enriched itself with innumerable programs that have been beneficial to all concerned.

"It is for that reason that we thank Dr. Bogsch for all the activities that he has undertaken, especially the cooperation activities in the field of copyright and neighboring rights as well as in the industrial property field; they have been of great importance to Member States, especially those that are developing countries.

"The appointment of a new WIPO Director General is a transcendental event for this Organization, and we are convinced that the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris to this position was the best choice.

"In the name of my Government, I wish to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as Director General of WIPO, and at the same time to assure him of our total support and collaboration.

"We listened carefully and with satisfaction to Dr. Idris' speech. We are certain that his contributions will be highly valuable and that his experience and ability, as well as his innovative vision, will enable him to direct the activities of the World Intellectual Property Organization on to the right path. Thank you Madam Chairman."

98. The Delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea made the following statement:

"On behalf of the head of our Delegation, permit me to express to you our congratulations on your election as Chairman of this Assembly and our conviction that our meeting will progress with success under your Chairmanship.

"The Delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea warmly congratulates Dr. Kamil Idris who has been unanimously elected with the full support of the Member States as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

"The appointment of the new Director General warrants the great attention and the great interest of all of us since after a quarter of a century we have appointed a new Director General.

"Dr. Kamil Idris occupied a responsible position within WIPO for many years and has contributed greatly to the international development of intellectual property. We voice our conviction that, under the shrewd direction of Dr. Kamil Idris, who has already revealed great experience and mature abilities, the World Intellectual Property Organization will carry out with satisfaction its objectives and its ideals.

"At the same time, we highly appreciate the exploits of Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has devoted his whole life to the development and strengthening of the World Intellectual Property Organization and has actively deployed his activities as Director General of the Organization throughout 24 years. We shall never forget the immortal exploits of Dr. Arpad Bogsch devoted to humanity and to intellectual property.

"What draws attention in the report of the new Director General is the fact that cooperation with the developing countries will occupy a very large place with a view to providing technical assistance to help them to set up or modernize their intellectual property systems.

"Therefore, we believe that WIPO should cooperate closely with our country at the administrative, legal and computerization levels in the field of intellectual property.

"At the present time, we look forward to the future, in the context of the World Intellectual Property Organization, with optimism and we count on Dr. Kamil Idris."

99. The Delegation of Georgia made the following statement:

"Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Madam Chairman, on your election, I am very happy to see you chairing our Assembly today. I would like to congratulate you most warmly on your election and I wish you every success in carrying out the difficult task which has been placed on your shoulders.

"I would also like to congratulate Dr. Idris on his election to the post of Director General of WIPO. We know Dr. Idris well. He is a well known diplomat and a member of the International Bureau. We know him to be experienced and extremely competent. We have come to him particularly when he worked as the Deputy Director General of WIPO. For all of these reasons, we are delighted to congratulate him today on his election to the post of Director General.

"We heard his statement yesterday with great interest. We felt he gave a very good overview of problems facing WIPO today and also problems which arise in more general terms in the field of intellectual property protection today. We noted the priorities which have been set forth by Dr. Idris. And we do hope that we will be able to ensure continuity in development and progress of the work of WIPO. We are in fact confident we can count on that in the light of what was said yesterday.

"We would like, however, to draw particular attention to the problems facing countries in transition today. Countries in transition are new countries which have only very recently began to establish intellectual property systems and they have been able to benefit from the support of WIPO in that. Nonetheless, they need further assistance, particularly in terms of training, introducing new automation systems, computerization and other areas in which they face difficulties today. We therefore would hope that WIPO will not confine its activities merely to the areas of globalization in more general terms but will nonetheless pay particular attention to countries which have specific needs and requirements and we are encouraged, in that hope, by what we heard yesterday from Dr. Idris.

"I now turn to Dr. Bogsch. We all recognize the outstanding role played by Dr. Bogsch in developing the global system of intellectual property which we know today. It is thanks to Dr. Bogsch that WIPO has become one of the most authoritative agencies within the UN system, and we can only congratulate Dr. Bogsch on what he has achieved over the past 25 years. In those years, Dr. Bogsch has worked actively and energetically in the cause of intellectual property protection. As a result of his work, we now have a unique agency dealing with intellectual property today. Regions and countries owe a great deal to Dr. Bogsch. The President of Georgia was delighted recently to welcome Dr. Bogsch when he visited our country and inaugurated the new building in Georgia which is the building that houses our own intellectual property organization.

"We were very grateful to Dr. Bogsch for coming to the country because that indicates his great interest in developing the patent protection system in Georgia. Thank you Dr. Bogsch.

"Having expressed my thanks to you, I would like once again to congratulate Dr. Idris on his election and say that in future you can certainly count on our full understanding and support.

"Dr. Bogsch, I wish you good health, a happy and prosperous life living in peace with your family and friends. You will always be a very welcome guest in my country and certainly a very welcome guest in my house. Thank you."

100. The Delegation of Ireland made the following statement:

"We are now approaching the close of business on day 2 of the 21st session of the General Assembly. Felicitations are still pouring in and request for the floor has lost none of its momentum. So immense has been the popularity of Agenda items 3 and 4. During these two days, Madam Chairman, we heard so many distinguished delegates from different parts of the world, expressing their views, in various languages, but they all conveyed a common message. It was one of elation on your election to the Chair, of a massive and unqualified appreciation of Dr. Bogsch's monumental contribution to WIPO and of spontaneous and enthusiastic acclamation of Dr. Idris's appointment as Director General. The Irish Delegation takes this opportunity to associate itself with all the beautiful sentiments so aptly and so ably expressed by all the previous speakers.

"The Irish Delegation would, in the first place, like to thank you for having so kindly accepted the Assembly's invitation to oversee and guide the destiny of this Assembly during the 1997-1999 biennium. We realize it is no mean task in itself. The high standards your illustrious predecessor has set up certainly make it all the more daunting. Given however your experience, expertise, wisdom and humor, we have no doubt you will be able to fulfill your responsibilities with great distinction.

"My Delegation would now like to express its appreciation to the outgoing Director General, Dr. Bogsch. But then one wonders what could one really say about someone who is an institution in himself. I will try nevertheless. Dr. Bogsch, with your invaluable contribution during the past 24 years you are leaving behind an indelible impression in intellectual property circles. Your name has become synonymous with WIPO. Ireland holds you, Dr. Bogsch, in high esteem and wishes to say "thank you" for everything you have done to advance the cause of intellectual property matters. We echo the sentiments expressed by every other speaker in wishing you and your family every happiness and peace in your retirement.

"Dr. Idris, my Delegation would like to join the multitude of other delegations in felicitating you on your appointment as Director General. Your acceptance speech was inspiring and stimulating and we are confident that in your capable hands this Organization will march from progress to progress. Dr. Idris, my country will always be prepared to assist you in every possible way in the realization of your vision. Ireland wishes you well, Dr. Idris."

101. The Delegation of Liberia made the following statement:

"On behalf of my country, Liberia, and Delegation here present, I join the previous speakers on this occasion of the election of Dr. Kamil Idris, a son of Africa, to the position of the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

"Though the speakers before us have said it all, it is important to note that from the curriculum vitae of Dr. Idris, which was circulated to Member States of WIPO during the period of preparation for this particular occasion which we now considered as Exhibit I, coupled with his acceptance speech, copy of which is now in our possession as Exhibit 2, there is no doubt that Dr. Idris is the one and indeed the suitable candidate to succeed the out-going Director General of this important market-oriented world body. From Exhibit 1, it leaves no room for one to doubt the credibility and capacity of this Gentleman, particularly following his activities in WIPO over the years.

"It is our considered opinion that he will move this august Body into the years ahead, an opinion also entertained by the distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the various delegations who have spoken before.

"To you the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, as Representative of the Government and of the Republic of Liberia, a country that has been in a crisis situation for the past seven years, and now trying to gain its status quo on the international front, we have the honor to express our greatest thanks and appreciation for your good work in WIPO for the past 24 years. We are also pleased to point out that it was during your tenue of office as Director General that Liberia became a member of WIPO. We shall always remember your good work."

102. The Delegation of Nepal made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, 30 such assemblies have taken place before this. But Nepal is participating in this Assembly as a full member for the first time. So, you can understand our sense of pleasure in being able to address this august assembly for the first time.

"In doing so, may I begin by congratulating you on your election to Chairperson this important thirty-first session of the WIPO General Assembly. My delegation is confident that under your able leadership and guidance, this Assembly will effectively address the important issues in front of all of us. My Delegation assures you and other members of WIPO of our full cooperation in your endeavors.

"Madam Chair, Nepal was privileged to have received the membership of WIPO from the hands of the Director, Dr. Bogsch. Ever since we have received excellent cooperation and support from him and the Secretariat for which we wish to record our most sincere thanks and appreciation. The leadership of Dr. Bogsch in the growth and consolidation of this Organization has been exemplary. We wish him all happiness in the days ahead.

"This Assembly two days ago confirmed the nomination by the Coordination Committee of Dr. Kamil Idris as the new Director General. My Delegation appreciates the effort made by Ambassador Höynck of Germany and the Coordination Committee in making the election process fair and transparent.

"My Delegation takes particular pleasure in seeing a member of the developing world, and a well-recognized intellectual, a competent professional and a skilled diplomat, taking over the leadership of this very important institution. We join all other delegations in warmly congratulating Ambassador Kamil Idris.

"Madam Chair, the increasingly important role of intellectual property in technological, industrial, social and cultural development is now well established. At the same time, increasing integration of intellectual property issues with other developmental concerns and the need to study such inter-linkages are equally important. In this context, the need to strengthen the capacities of the developing countries in modernizing and upgrading their intellectual property systems has been appropriately emphasized in the recent Tokyo joint statement. My Delegation is encouraged by the approach that the new Director General intends to take, as he outlined in his acceptance speech. He has also correctly identified the need to focus on information technology and its implication for the increasing process of globalization. Nepal very much looks forward to working together with the new WIPO leadership and assures Dr. Idris of our full support and cooperation in his initiatives. Let me conclude by wishing him and the Organization all success."

103. The Delegation of Mali made the following statement:

"I wish, first of all, on behalf of the Delegation of Mali, to join the Delegations that have preceded me in congratulating you on your brilliant election to the Chair of the General Assembly of WIPO. My congratulations also go to your two Vice-Chairmen.

"Permit me, on behalf of the Government of my country, to address to Dr. Kamil Idris our warm and sincere congratulations on his unanimous election by our august assembly to the most prestigious post of Director General of WIPO. His election, that is the crowning of a brilliant career as lawyer and diplomat, constitutes, without doubt, a source of pride for a whole continent, Africa, from whence comes Dr. Idris, and a reason for hope in the developing world.

"My Delegation followed with special interest the remarkable speech by the new Director General. It receives favorably all the proposals made in that speech, particularly those concerning development cooperation activities. My Delegation is convinced that, with the help of the human and professional qualities of Dr. Idris, WIPO will succeed in meeting the great challenges of the third millennium.

"I cannot end my statement without paying a vibrant homage to the outgoing Director General of WIPO, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, whose name is so intimately linked with the history of our Organization. We thank him for all the efforts he has deployed in order to promote and protect intellectual property throughout the world."

104. The Delegation of Togo made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Delegation of Togo, I would like to present to you my warm congratulations on your election to the Chair of the General Assembly of our Organization for the forthcoming two years. Your exceptional qualities are known and have been emphasized by almost all my predecessors who have taken the floor of this conference room. I have no doubts as to your capability of directing debates. My congratulations also extend to the two Vice-Chairmen and I wish you all every success.

"It is with complete satisfaction that the Delegation of Togo welcomes the unanimous appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris as the new Director General of WIPO and wishes to express to him its keenest congratulations, and those of its Government, at this solemn moment at which he assumes his new responsibility.

"Dr. Idris is taking the head of an Organization which, although a part of the United Nations system, has its own specific nature and a not inconsiderable influence in the economic, social and cultural fields, since it has been entrusted by the nations to promote intellectual property and to strengthen the rights that derive therefrom; whether in the field of industrial property or in that of copyright and neighboring rights, which are in fact all rights attached to the human person and whose respect can contribute to his development.

"That is why the task that awaits Dr. Idris, although exciting, seems so delicate that it may only be entrusted to men who possess a positive predisposition and considerable qualities. The sense of duty of Dr. Idris, his dedication to defending the interests of our Organization and his diplomatic skills, accompanied by great experience in seeking to promote intellectual property rights were decisive elements that, amongst so many others, advocated in his favor. We remain convinced that his arrival at the head of WIPO will mark a new phase in the activities of WIPO throughout the world and particularly in the developing countries. The program he has set out in his speech of acceptance only confirms our conviction.

"Madam Chairman, Dr. Idris has been trained in the administration of intellectual property by a man of rare stature and greatness of mind. I am of course speaking of Dr. Arpad Bogsch. It is with great pride and great satisfaction that the Government of my country wishes to express to him its congratulations and gratitude, at a time at which he is about to relinquish the direction of our Organization, for the gigantic task he has accomplished during his mandate. Indeed, during those years he has spent at the helm of our Organization, WIPO has become one of the most efficient and most thriving of the United Nations specialized agencies. In short. WIPO has become a reference. Such results can only be achieved by exceptional men.

"Dr. Bogsch's constant concern for the promotion of intellectual property in the developing countries needs no proving and we may safely claim that he has been and remains one of the greatest friends of the Third World. We thank him for it. The Delegation of Togo wishes him good health and a happy retirement.

"As for Dr. Idris, our wish is that he should be the worthy heir of his predecessor, Dr. Bogsch, in order to lead WIPO under the best possible conditions into the twenty-first century. The Delegation of Togo wishes every success to Dr. Idris and assures him of the unfailing support of its Government in his duties."

105. The Delegation of Monaco made the following statement:

"Permit me, in my own name, on behalf of my Delegation and on behalf of the Government of the Principality of Monaco, to address to you my keenest and most sincere congratulations on your designation as Chairman of our Assembly. My Delegation most particularly appreciates, Madam Chairman, your tactfulness, but also your firmness and above all your great competence. We are convinced that our discussions under your high authority will be of great quality.

"Dr. Bogsch, my predecessors and myself, over the last 12 years (already), have been aware of and have highly appreciated all your qualities as a diplomat, a top-level administrator and as a generous and exemplary man. Due to you, intellectual property has received its letters of nobility; your exceptional work in the service of WIPO will remain in our memory. My best wishes accompany you for the future.

"Dr. Idris, I fully share the words expressed by the Delegations that have preceded me - I wish you full success in the difficult, but exciting task that awaits you at the head of WIPO on the eve of a third millennium that promises to be full of constraints and challenges to be met."

106. The Delegation of the European Communities made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, the European Commission wishes to congratulate you yourself and the two Vice-Chairmen on your election.

"The Commission has always acknowledged the central and prime role of WIPO in the protection at worldwide level of intellectual property and the promotion of intellectual creativeness. This role is incontestably due to the commitment, the capabilities, the competence and the charisma of the Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch. The work he has accomplished is exceptional. The Commission fully shares the claim made by various delegations that the last 25 years of WIPO will be remembered as the "Bogsch years."

"The Commission wishes also to thank Dr. Bogsch for the support he has given, within WIPO, to the activities of the European Community. Dr. Bogsch, the European Commission and the Alicante Office wish you all the best for your future.

"At the dawn of the twenty-first century, WIPO must nevertheless face up to new tasks and new challenges, resulting in part from technological developments. The European Commission and the Alicante Office wish to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his election to the post of Director General. His great qualities, his brilliant career, his familiarity with WIPO from the inside give us the assurance that he will meet the challenges and give the appropriate response. We listened attentively to his speech of acceptance in which we were able to note interesting ideas and paths of reflection for the future activities of WIPO. Dr. Idris, the Delegation of the European Commission and of the Alicante Office wish you every success in your new functions and assure you of their full cooperation and availability for your future work."

107. The Delegation of the European Patent Office made the following statement:

"On this occasion which marks an important transition in the history of this Organization, I would like to take the opportunity to say a few words in honor of Mr. Arpad Bogsch, who is about to retire after almost a quarter of a century at the helm of WIPO. It is impossible in the short time which is at my disposal to do justice to the achievements which have marked Mr. Bogsch's long and distinguished career.

"Arpad Bogsch took office as Director General of WIPO on December 1, 1973, but WIPO's debt to him began long before that. Indeed, the impetus and momentum to change the structure and status of BIRPI came largely from him. It is this metamorphosis from an international body to a full-fledged United Nations agency, successfully integrating developing nations from around the world, which turned WIPO into a truly international organization.

"Focusing for a moment on his contribution to the field of patents, Arpad Bogsch's unflagging support of the PCT was instrumental to the conclusion and implementation of that phenomenally successful Treaty, and the patent harmonization initiatives undertaken under the aegis of WIPO-the fruits of which have been borne partly on trees having their roots elsewhere, as in the TRIPS Agreement-were nurtured and propelled by his personal commitment and can be counted amongst his most important accomplishments. In this sense, Mr. Bogsch is truly one of the latter-day founding fathers of the evolving international patent system.

"However, during the course of his tenure, his influence was not limited to the sphere of patent law, and at present, WIPO is responsible for 24 multilateral treaties dealing with patents, trademarks, copyright and related matters. Several further treaties are currently in the process of being negotiated by the member States with the active and indispensable support of the International Bureau. Under the direction of Mr. Bogsch, WIPO has promoted the advancement of the understanding and protection of intellectual property in all its fields with vigor and imagination. I am sure that all who are present join me in thanking Mr. Bogsch for his capable and devoted stewardship of WIPO spanning so many crucial years in the development of intellectual property worldwide, and in wishing him all the best.

"In Dr. Kamil E. Idris, we welcome a worthy successor, a man of academic distinction with an eclectic range of interests encompassing law, economics, and philosophy, who brings to the task his numerous talents as a legal expert, a seasoned administrator and a consummate diplomat, fluent in no less than four of the five official languages of WIPO. Due to his vast and varied experience both within WIPO and outside the Organization, Dr. Idris is keenly aware of the intricacies of multilateral treaty negotiation and their administration, as well as of the contingencies of international technical cooperation in the field of industrial property. We wish him well as he embarks on his challenging new course.

"From the very beginning, relations between WIPO and the EPO have been tightly knit. In recent years, cooperation between these organizations has been steadily increasing. As the EPO and WIPO are on the eve of renewing their cooperation agreement within the framework of the PCT, I am looking forward to the promising years to come, where we will actively pursue our common goal of further developing the international patent system. I am confident that further fruitful cooperation lies ahead."

108. The Delegation of Brazil made the following statement:

"Allow me first to express my Delegation's compliments to you and also to the two Vice-Chairmen on your election to the task of conducting this meeting.

"At this important time of transition for WIPO, the Delegation of Brazil must not fail to address its particular appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for everything that he has done in the interest of intellectual property during the time of his leadership of this Organization.

"The fact that WIPO at present has the structure, the human resources and the material with which to face the challenges of a complex and dynamic agenda can only be understood as the result of an efficient and flexible administrative strategy. For this we have to bear witness to the inestimable contribution made by Dr. Bogsch to intellectual property.

"In this new stage that is starting for the Organization and will carry it towards a new millennium, my Delegation is convinced that the election of Dr. Kamil Idris to guide the destinies of WIPO, and his confirmation by this Assembly, are a guarantee that future challenges will be successfully met.

"In this connection we should like to point to certain subjects that Dr. Idris mentioned in his address on Monday. The Delegation of Brazil entirely agrees with the five fundamental principles that should preside over the administration of this Organization. We believe that the new Director General has correctly identified the pillars that will give it the necessary stability to be equal to present and future challenges in the field of industrial property.

"Finally, the Delegation of Brazil wishes to convey to Dr. Kamil Idris the firm undertaking that it will continue to support him in the discharge of the exalted responsibilities that have been entrusted to him."

109. The Delegation of Niger made the following statement:

"The Delegation of Niger first wishes to join in with the other Delegations that have preceded it in congratulating you on your election to the Chair of our Assembly. Our congratulations are also addressed to the other officers.

"My Delegation would then like to address its congratulations to Dr. Idris on his brilliant appointment to the post of Director General to our Organization. After a most brilliant career, he will follow the person for whom he has worked during 15 years and of whom he was one of the closest collaborators in recent years. His competence and his devotion to work have warranted the confidence of Dr. Bogsch who had no hesitation in appointing him a Deputy Director General. Having long worked beside Dr. Bogsch, he will doubtlessly follow his example with a view to making our Organization even more thriving.

"Dr. Idris, we shall not repeat what the Delegations that have preceded us have so eloquently and appropriately said of you, both with regard to your professional background and to your goodness. Your speech of acceptance and the important reforms that are projected already shows us your will for our Organization to thrive. May God help you to succeed in that noble and glorious task. Amen. For our part, we may assure you of the full support of the Government of Niger that sends you its wishes for success and prosperity.

"Madam Chairman, we cannot finish our statement without paying due homage to Dr. Bogsch who, by his dedication, his commitment and his ingeniousness has made WIPO a symbol within the United Nations system. Allow us to wish him health, prosperity and a happy retirement.

"We strongly support the proposal made by the honorable delegates of Spain and of Uruguay that the main conference room of WIPO should henceforth bear his name."

110. The Delegation of New Zealand made the following statement:

"May I first congratulate you, Madam Chair, on your election as President and wish you well in your stewardship of this Assembly.

"To Dr. Idris we offer our warmest congratulations on his election as Director General and commend the strategic direction he set in his acceptance speech on Monday. We strongly support the emphasis given to the critical importance of information technology and his desire for a more inclusive relationship with member States. He has set a demanding and challenging agenda for change and New Zealand offers its fullest support to him in achieving the goals and vision he has put before us. We wish him every success in his leadership of WIPO.

"To Dr. Bogsch, New Zealand joins in the profound and sincere acclamation and appreciation offered by all delegations. His has truly been a remarkable career of achievement and distinction, and the New Zealand Government has greatly admired his leadership and direction of WIPO and its activities. We extend our very best wishes to him in his retirement and future endeavors."

111. The Delegation of Switzerland made the following statement:

"Permit me, to begin with, to congratulate you in turn on your brilliant election to the Chair of the General Assembly of WIPO. I also congratulate the Vice-Chairmen.

"Referring to the unanimous appointment of the new Director General, and to the statements that have preceded mine, I will not repeat the praises that have been expressed so eloquently by my colleagues from the other countries. I wish simply to go along with them. However, I would like to add a small Helvetic touch. It is not only as the delegate of a member country of WIPO that I speak here, but also as the representative of the country that is host to a prestigious organization whose historical links with Switzerland go back over a century. It is therefore in more than one capacity that I have the honor and the pleasure of addressing, through your intermediary, Dr. Bogsch and Dr. Kamil Idris.

"Switzerland is proud to have hosted, during several decades in Berne, and then in Geneva, the headquarters of WIPO's predecessor, the United International Bureau for the Protection of Intellectual Property, or BIRPI. It was with equal pride that it accompanied the spectacular development of WIPO on this Place des Nations and in the international city of Geneva. The architect of the developments and of the prestige that has rebounded on the Canton of Geneva and on Switzerland is Dr. Bogsch, whose decisive role I would like to salute here. He has also known how - if you'll excuse the expression - to negotiate the bends each time the political, economic, commercial or technological world presented the Organization with a challenge. I will not speak of the important work carried out during his terms of office. What I would like to emphasize today, as one of the considerable merits of the work carried out by Dr. Bogsch, is the skill with which he has grouped around him capable and talented people and has known how to make the whole team work at the maximum of their capabilities. Amongst those talented persons, he very rapidly discerned the potential of Dr. Idris, who he called to his side, and who subsequently pursued the brilliant and spectacular career that we all know.

"Continuity in change is therefore ensured in the person of the new Director General, whose professional and human qualities, and also whose great diplomatic and political finesse I know very well. He is familiar with all the workings of WIPO. That is a considerable asset. However, his personal tastes for other subjects - as borne out by the diversity of his publications - show that the man is not set in his ways and may have a global vision.

"Great challenges will face you, Dr. Idris, and also member countries. The acceleration of technology and globalization demand a permanent state of vigilance, dynamic action and a great faculty of adaptation. If the national offices are already required to make enormous efforts of modernization in order to work with technology and not to be subject to it, the challenge is even greater for WIPO since it must ensure that all the member countries, whether developed, developing or in transition, can participate in the great adventure of the third millennium. It cannot allow itself to miss this planetary train. It is in charge of a historical task. We are particularly convinced that Dr. Idris and his team will succeed in leading WIPO with freshness, dynamics, talent and success through this fascinating adventure.

"On behalf of the Federal Council and on behalf of Switzerland as the host country, I may assure you, Dr. Idris, that you will be able to count on our support to carry to success the program you sketched out on Monday morning in your remarkable investiture speech. We look forward to working together in future. We give you our best wishes for your new functions."

112. The Delegation of Qatar made the following statement:

"First of all, Madam Chairman, I should like to congratulate you on your election to the Chairperson of this Assembly, and I would also like to congratulate your two Vice-Chairmen.

"Qatar congratulates Dr. Kamil Idris for his brilliant appointment as the new Director General. The Delegation of my country would like to cooperate more with the Secretariat of this Organization. I would also like to praise Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has directed this Organization with such skill. I wish him every success in his retirement and I thank all his colleagues who have participated in the success of WIPO."

113. The Delegation of Equatorial Guinea made the following statement:

"In the name of the Delegation of Equatorial Guinea and its Government and in my own name, I have the honor to address to you, first, our most heartfelt and sincerest congratulations on your election to the Chairmanship, and to the other Officers who have also been elected by this august General Assembly of WIPO.

"We are very pleased with the fact that all the delegates present here have agreed to grant this privilege to a woman of your intellectual and professional stature and acknowledged prestige. Indeed, Madam Chairman, although it might seem paradoxical to many that a woman should merit such high respect on genuine historical grounds, we are aware of the fact that a woman intrinsically represents the origin of life and of love, which in the Bantu cultural environment symbolizes the triangle repeatedly found in the works of art of black Africa in general; it is a cosmological, magic element that refers to the origin of life, the evolution of man and his relation to the hereafter. This is the mystery of the triangle; a seemingly geometrical element that has served as a basis for contemporary European artists in search of a new art form responding to the demands of mankind in contemporary society, and which found expression in the works of Pablo Picasso, Matisse and other great masters who laid the foundations of the artistic developments of modern times.

"That, Madam Chairman, is why we find your election particularly felicitous, convinced as we are that your female strength, combined with your great experience in intellectual property matters, will give our Organization greater scope within which to solve problems and lend impetus to the action to be undertaken in the face of the challenges of the twenty-first century.

"Madam Chairman, as the spirit moves us to express our gratitude to the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the Delegation of Equatorial Guinea wishes to convey first the fraternal salutations of His Excellency the President of my country Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and his Government to him in person, and at the same time to address profound and sincere thanks for all the assistance given up to now to the institutions responsible for the implementation of intellectual property instruments in our young nation, the only nation of sub-Saharan Africa with a Hispanic language and culture.

"At the same time, at the express wish of the Head of State of Equatorial Guinea and his Government, we wish to convey to this Assembly our profound satisfaction on the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris as the new Director General of WIPO. The Delegation of Equatorial Guinea addresses its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Idris, and at the same time assures him of its country's steadfast determination to ensure that its relations with WIPO continue to become closer and more durable.

"We share the opinions of the delegates who recognize your expert ability in intellectual property matters and your diplomacy, which give you the perfect profile of a wise leader of this Organization at a time when technological progress has placed man with one foot on the ground and the other in the cosmos.

"It is a time of urgent structural change which calls for profound reflection and objectiveness, in order that those changes may meet the demands of internationalization imposed on us by the new economic and socio-cultural order that conditions our lives.

"In this connection, Director General, we fully support the contents of your address, and at the same time we express our sincere wish that the contributions made previously by other delegates are taken into account, especially the proposals submitted by the representatives of Mexico, Spain, the United States of America, Nigeria and other countries regarding the recognition given to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, and also on the subject of the impact of scientific progress on the continuing development of peoples.

"Also in this context we believe that WIPO can play an important part as moderator in the task of ensuring that the progress in question is used in a positive way, presented in the form of neutral processes that may be readily assimilated and may benefit the development of each of our native cultures.

"We are certain that in this way we can avoid the risk of science and technology bringing with them extratechnical elements of socio-political and moral character that force the replacement of the proper values with others arising from environments governed by different realities and pressures.

"We believe that the adoption of a strategy in this field could be considered in a special forum organized by WIPO in collaboration with UNESCO.

"Finally, on behalf of the Government of Equatorial Guinea, we repeat our sincere appreciation of WIPO, its former Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, and also Dr. Kamil Idris, the new Director General who today takes over the destinies of this World Organization with the United Nations system."

114. The Delegation of Libya made the following statement:

"In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate, Geneva is a town that bewitches the world, Geneva is at the same time the city of human rights and it is making efforts to achieve equal rights for women and you, Madam, at the head of this Assembly are the symbol of this promotion. And we can truly say that Geneva is the town of human rights. The work that is done on human rights is fruitful, you are the symbol of that, your skills, your talents in intellectual property help you to take on this post. Please accept the congratulations of my country, our confidence placed in you and in your colleagues.

"The acceptance speech by Dr. Kamil Idris truly proves that we made an excellent choice. His personality and all his qualities that we know so well, his talents, his diplomacy, his sincerity mean that we can be sure and certain that WIPO is going to be led in a successful way towards the next century. My country will collaborate fully with the new Director General.

"Madam Chairman, Dr. Bogsch's brilliant legacy is quite clear. My Delegation would like to endorse what other delegations have said inter alia that Dr. Bogsch is a symbol and an example and a reference in intellectual property throughout the world. In this respect, my Delegation wishes him every success, excellent health and a very happy retirement."

115. The Delegation of Zimbabwe made the following statement:

"Madam Chair, the Zimbabwe Delegation would like to associate itself with what has been said by various delegations that spoke before us. On behalf of myself and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, I would like to congratulate you, Madam Chair, upon your election to the President of this august General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization, I also congratulate your two Vice-Chairmen upon their election.

"The Zimbabwe Delegation wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the excellent work that has been carried out by the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch.

"His contribution to the field of intellectual property remains unsurpassed and transcends national boundaries and regional groupings. During Dr. Bogsch's leadership of WIPO, Zimbabwe, as one of the developing countries benefitted in many ways too numerous to mention. In respect of this immense contribution, Zimbabwe expresses its sincere appreciation and deep gratitude. We wish Dr. Bogsch a happy retirement.

"Madam Chair, the Zimbabwe Delegation would also want to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the Director General elect, Dr. Kamil Idris. The new Director General comes at the helm of WIPO at a very critical moment. Dr. Kamil Idris can count on Zimbabwe's unwavering support and cooperation.

"During his acceptance speech we noted with gratitude that Dr. Kamil Idris would want to embark on a program of activities that will take this international organization to new heights. We sincerely wish him every luck and success in his endeavors."

116. The Delegation of the Gambia made the following statement:

"Madam Chairperson, may I also join other delegations in congratulating you on your appointment as Chairperson of this august body. Allow me also to extend the same to the Vice-Chairpersons.

"I would also like to express my profound delight in having been present at this momentous occasion, the appointment of Dr. Idris to the post of Director General of WIPO. I am sure all other delegates will agree with me when I say that it is definitely a memorable occasion which will not be forgotten for a very long time. We have heard the awe-inspiring speech of the newly-elected Director General outlining activities and programs to be taken up by his administration. To countries like the Gambia where most activities in the area of intellectual property are sponsored by WIPO, it is very welcome.

"We from the developing countries have great expectations from WIPO in the area of intellectual property but have every confidence in the ability of Dr. Idris to steer this our institution to greater heights, thereby bringing about the realization of our expectations. The Government of the Gambia, as was stated earlier, has had a lot of assistance from WIPO during the tenure of office of Dr. Bogsch. The achievements of Dr. Bogsch have been enumerated by previous delegations and are obvious for all to see. To avoid repetition, we would but state our satisfaction in our dealings with WIPO and say thank you to him whilst looking forward to a brighter future in our future activities with WIPO."

117. The Delegation of Guinea made the following statement:

"I should like to add my voice to those of the previous speakers to offer you my warmest congratulations on your brilliant election to the position of Chairman of the WIPO General Assembly.

"The smooth running of the proceedings of this session is proof in itself that the choice was a wise one.

"My congratulations go also to your two Vice-Chairmen.

"Madam Chairman, it is an honor for me to represent the Republic of Guinea and the Administrative Council of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) at the present session of the WIPO Governing Bodies.

"On this special occasion, allow me to express all my gratitude to the authorities of WIPO for the quality of the reception that my Delegation has been given since it arrived in Geneva. I offer them my profound thanks.

"The introduction of a WIPO cooperation program for the benefit of developing countries is an illustration of this Organization's determination to provide our countries with competent intellectual property offices and in turn to create a climate that is conducive to national and foreign private investment.

"Our States are aware that the implementation of this program is intended to enhance the competitiveness of their enterprises, to facilitate access to technical information and to stimulate national creativeness.

"It is here that we should express pleasure on WIPO's completion of the

OAPI-ROM project, which has made it possible to reproduce on compact discs some ten thousand patents granted by OAPI.

"WIPO has moreover provided the majority of national bodies responsible for liaison between their countries and OAPI with CD-ROM workstations and efficient computer hardware for the more effective use of the discs.

"Neither shall I overlook the laudable efforts made by WIPO in training national executives and in alerting the various active participants in economic development to the importance of the intellectual property system as a development tool for the benefit of our States.

"In this connection it is my dearest wish that the training of human resources, which has always been an important feature of the program of cooperation with WIPO, may be strengthened, with the inclusion of specialized training for the senior staff of our offices.

"Pleasure should also be expressed over the International Bureau's proposal to conduct medium-term projects, country by country, for the modernization of industrial property structures in Africa, and especially in OAPI member countries.

"In this connection I welcome the arrangements being made for the benefit of the Guinean Industrial Property Service, involving the implementation of the project for the restructuring and modernization of our industrial property administration.

"It is for all those reasons that my Delegation expresses the wish that the WIPO resources set aside for cooperation for the benefit of developing countries be further increased.

"The whole range of action carried on by the International Bureau is an eloquent illustration of the leading role played by WIPO in the development processes of our States, and is to the credit of a man who has presided over the Organization's destinies for so many years; I am speaking of Dr. Arpad Bogsch, to whom the Government of the Republic of Guinea and the Administrative Council of OAPI pay an eminently well-deserved tribute. I wish him a comfortable retirement.

"The Government of the Republic of Guinea and the Administrative Council of OAPI are delighted with the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris to the post of Director General of WIPO.

"The mission that has thus been entrusted to him is exalting but delicate. However, the competence and dexterity that he has shown up to now affords further promise of the successful execution of the mission that is now his.

"Dr. Kamil Idris is very well known to the member countries of OAPI for his integrity as a leader and for his standing as an experienced intellectual who has always kept the reputation of Africa at a high level.

"The acceptance speech that he delivered to you on his appointment is in itself proof that he has already assumed a good measure of his new responsibilities.

"I wish to convey him the best wishes for health and success of the Guinean Government and the Administrative Council of OAPI in the discharge of his new duties.

"Finally, I take the liberty of expressing the sincere thanks of the Government of the Republic of Guinea and of the Administrative Council of OAPI to the partner institutions, namely the French National Industrial Property Institute (INPI), the European Patent Office (EPO), the Benelux Trademark Office (BBM) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to mention only them, for their steadfast assistance in the promotion of industrial property in our States.

"Long live international cooperation! Thank you."

118. The Delegation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) made the following statement:

"Just like all the Delegations that have preceded me, I would first wish to congratulate you on your brilliant election to the Chair of this General Assembly of WIPO. I address my congratulations also to your two Vice-Chairmen. Your experience and the know-how with which you conduct our work augur well for the success to be enjoyed by the activities of this Assembly under your Chairmanship.

"On behalf of the Director General of UNESCO, Mr. Federico Mayor, I have great pleasure in presenting our warmest congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his brilliant appointment as the new Director General of WIPO.

"The hearty praises that have been unanimously addressed to him demonstrate clearly that the choice of the General Assembly was a judicious one.

"The intellectual qualities of Dr. Kamil Idris, his technical competence, his professional and diplomatic experience, his integrity and his modesty, highlighted in the course of this long discussion, are essential guarantees for the success of his future actions in face of the new challenges raised by the promotion of effective and real protection of intellectual property rights in the information society.

"The high tenor of the speech that Dr. Idris made to the Assembly on the occasion of his official appointment illustrate the true perception he has of his mission and of the constraints of the real situation in which WIPO's activities will have to develop under his direction. He has identified the challenges to be met and the means and methods to be implemented to ensure that intellectual property continues to play its essential role as a prime source of cultural and economic wealth throughout the world.

"We wish him every success in the implementation of the projects announced in close cooperation with the Member States and with the international governmental and non-governmental organizations involved. We believe, just as Dr. Idris, that such broad international cooperation is best adapted to regulate the cultural and economic exchanges in the context of generalized development that is increasingly shared by all the nations of the world, with respect for the legitimate entities that are involved.

"The guiding of international cooperation in that direction is a need that will aid the nations and the various interests involved in the world to establish with more efficiency the security of digital transmission in the global society of the twenty-first century. UNESCO is ready, as in the past, to add its efforts to those of WIPO in order to succeed in this noble mission.

"Cooperation between our two Organizations has been fruitful in the past, particularly during the years 1970 to 1980. It led to broad harmonization of national systems for the protection of copyright and neighboring rights throughout the world and contributed to the conclusion of new WIPO treaties on authors' rights and on neighboring rights that were adopted in December 1996.

"Just as Dr. Idris, UNESCO believes that broad international cooperation is capable of facilitating the completion of the efforts towards international consolidation of intellectual property rights. It should, at the same time, focus its means in order to aid the developing countries in organizing their national rights administration systems. It is through the effective exercise and respect for these acknowledged rights that we shall best be able to mobilize indigenous development of cultural wealth and to lend security to exchanges between the nations.

"On behalf of the Director General of UNESCO, I am also pleased to congratulate Dr. Arpad Bogsch on the excellent work that WIPO has accomplished under his direction over a quarter of a century in the service of culture and the promotion of industry and commerce throughout the world.

"His action has been so remarkable that, as has already been said, WIPO is synonymous with his person. On behalf of UNESCO, we also associate ourselves with the praises and congratulations that have been so justly addressed to him. He leaves WIPO in those good hands that he has himself prepared and we wish him a peaceful and most profitable retirement."

119. The Delegation of Andorra made the following statement:

"Mrs. Batchelor, the Delegation of the Principality of Andorra has the honor to warmly congratulate you upon your election to the presidency of the General Assembly on behalf of the Government of the Principality of Andorra. Congratulations also to Mr. Gallegos and Mr. Strenc, elected Vice-Chairmen of the General Assembly.

"The Delegation of Andorra, one of the smallest States here represented, intend to make a statement in proportion to the country's dimensions.

"On behalf of our Government, we convey to Dr. Arpad Bogsch the assurances of our most heartfelt gratitude for the valuable cooperation Andorra has received from WIPO. Indeed, it has permitted us to start implementing a harmonized protection of intellectual property in our territory. Our thanks and our best wishes to Dr. Arpad Bogsch. "Dr. Kamil Idris, please receive the most sincere congratulations and encouragement of this Delegation. Andorra wishes to offer its small but hopefully efficient cooperation and, in this line, the Government of Andorra has the honor to invite you to visit our new Trademarks Office. It is the first truly paperless industrial property office. As long as it has achieved excellent results, we dare believe this experience could be considered, for those many countries having limited resources as we do, in the frame of WIPO's project of information technologies in intellectual property systems. Dr. Idris, on behalf of the Government of Andorra, congratulations."

120. The Delegation of Kazakhstan made the following statement:

"Madam Chairman, we congratulate you and your Vice-Chairmen on your election to this lofty office.

"On this day, may I express words of thanks to Dr. Arpad Bogsch. Dr. Arpad Bogsch, only five years ago, a group of Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, joined the important convention on intellectual property and became members of WIPO. We have always felt your welcome and help in this area. Among your outstanding qualities we note your great attention to any country from whichever region it came and however important or unimportant it was. The results of such attention were very fruitful in our area, for example, in Kazakhstan we have a modern intellectual property system, we have patent office and a copyright and neighboring rights office, and we have legislation in this area. We have a number of patents in all areas of intellectual property. Dozens of seminars and conferences organized with the help of WIPO have trained many specialists. Just last week, there was a large international seminar that was held in our capital, Almaty. You have helped to integrate our country and with your help we set up the Eurasian Patent Convention. We wish you, Dr. Bogsch, many years of life and continued happiness in your activities. You will be always the first star in the constellation of our profession.

"Dr. Idris, we congratulate you on your appointment as the new Director General. You are taking over a well-oiled machinery in WIPO. We wish you every success. It will be difficult for you but in this is the heart of progress. We assure you that the Republic of Kazakhstan will give you help in all your constructive actions."

121. The Delegation of the African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO) made the following statement:

"On behalf of the African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO), allow me to congratulate you most warmly on your election to the Chair of the General Assembly of WIPO for the next two years. At the same time ARIPO would also like to extend its congratulations to Ecuador and Romania on their election as your Vice-Chairmen.

"Dr. Kamil Idris, the new Director General of WIPO, when making his acceptance speech three days ago, began by expressing his admiration for the inspiration and determination that you have brought to what he referred to as the "Challenges of Multilateral Diplomacy." I would like to assure you, Madam Chair, that the ability with which you have steered the proceedings of the Assembly for the last three days confirm Dr. Idris' statement. You have also won the admiration of ARIPO and I have no doubt that, under your leadership the proceedings of the Assembly will be a success.

"Having said this, ARIPO would like to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his well-deserved appointment to the Office of Director General of WIPO. His academic qualifications, personal achievements and his vast experience make him the most suitable person for this post.

"ARIPO's joy on the occasion of Dr. Idris' appointment is particularly immense because he is not only a national of Sudan, an active member of ARIPO, but also a true son of Africa.

"Let me say that Dr. Idris has been a long time friend of ARIPO. I personally remember with fond memories his attendance of meetings of the various organs of ARIPO since 1982. Just last November he ably represented Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the outgoing Director General of WIPO, at the meeting of the Administrative Council of ARIPO which was held in Khartoum, the Sudan, his own home. On that occasion, the Administrative Council was celebrating ARIPO's 20th birthday.

"ARIPO has always strongly cooperated with WIPO since its establishment. In this regard, Dr. Idris' acceptance speech on Monday was a source of inspiration to ARIPO. In the view of this Delegation, that statement clearly laid down the foundation on which future cooperation activities between WIPO and ARIPO will be based. In many ways it is a declaration of the dawn of a new era of the relationship between ARIPO and WIPO. ARIPO wholeheartedly welcomes this new era, with all its challenges. ARIPO is not afraid of challenges. That is why, Madam Chair, ARIPO fully endorses the five principles which Dr. Idris outlined in his acceptance speech. To that end, Dr. Idris can be assured of ARIPO's support as he puts into practice those principles.

"ARIPO would also like to salute Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the outgoing Director General. Dr. Bogsch is a living legend in intellectual property circles. His achievements in his long and illustrious career as an international civil servant were well chronicled by the distinguished Delegate of the United States of America. It is a testimony of excellent work done for WIPO for a period of over two decades.

"Memories of Dr. Bogsch's reign will live forever in the WIPO headquarters building-I have in mind his Latin words inscribed in the lobby-and also in the spirit of excellence and hard work that he has over the years set for the staff of the Secretariat of WIPO.

"For ARIPO, Dr. Bogsch will always be remembered for his vision and foresight which were largely behind the initiatives WIPO made to establish ARIPO nearly 21 years ago. For that vision and foresight, ARIPO and its 14 member States, some 12 of which are represented in this Assembly today, owe Dr. Bogsch a great debt of gratitude.

"Therefore, Madam Chair, it is proper and fitting that, on behalf of ARIPO and on my own behalf, I wish Dr. Bogsch good health and long life as he proceeds on his well-deserved retirement."

122. The Delegation of Yemen made the following statement:

"Madam Chairperson, it is a great pleasure for my country's Delegation to congratulate you on your election to the chairmanship of the General Assembly. We would like to congratulate the Vice-Chairmen and wish you success in the chairing of our proceedings.

"Madam Chairperson, Yemen would like to express to Dr. Bogsch its immense gratitude for those efforts he has exerted over the past 24 years in the interests of expanding and strengthening the role of WIPO and in fact raising the standards and very stature of this Organization within the United Nations system. We wish him full success and hope that WIPO shall be able to continue to benefit from his experience.

"Our warmest congratulations go to Dr. Kamil Idris on the occasion of his appointment as Director General. We wish him every success in his new task and in extending his help and services to WIPO and its member countries. Dr. Idris' skills and wide experience are an undoubted asset for this Organization and under his guidance WIPO, the Lord willing, shall achieve further greatness. I would like to here undertake, on behalf of Yemen, to provide every form of help and assistance to Dr. Kamil Idris so that he may undertake his duties most successfully. As any success he acquires is a further success for Arab experience and an added source of pride for the Arab world, we sincerely hope that the Arab countries under his guidance will further benefit from this Organization. My country plans to shortly join the Berne and Paris Conventions. We are currently strengthening the legal and legislative aspects of defending intellectual property. In 1994, we published the intellectual property law which extends protection to works of art and trademarks and so on and so forth."

123. The Delegation of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) made the following statement: :

"Madam Chairman, we are attentive to matters of this kind and are therefore pleased at your election as Chairman of the General Assembly of WIPO and we congratulate you on that appointment. Those who have the advantage of knowing you better than we do have referred with eloquence to your personal merits. For our part, having seen you at work for the last two days, we are convinced that you will assume with success this heavy task. Our congratulations also go to those responsible for assisting you.

"OAPI greets with satisfaction and pride the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris as Director General of WIPO. We associate ourselves with the congratulations that have been addressed to him by all those delegates that have preceded us. This appointment is the just recognition of the professional and human qualities of Dr. Idris.

"Allow us also to associate ourselves with the great homage paid to Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has marked the Organization with his imprint and his personality. We wish him a long and peaceful retirement.

"Madam Chairman, Directors, Honorable Delegates, the change thus made at the head o WIPO follows on those made in the direction of the African Organizations, ARIPO and OAPI. We hope that these changes will represent a new approach in our cooperation."

124. The Delegation of Jamaica made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Government of Jamaica, the Delegation of Jamaica congratulates you, Madam Chair, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly, and extends its sincere wishes to you for a fruitful tenure in this position. Congratulations are also in order for the two Vice-Presidents, who will ably assist you in your work.

"It is not very often that we are presented with such an historic moment as the one that faces us today. We are privileged to honor the outgoing Director General of WIPO, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, and to recall with a sense of accomplishment the achievements that he has worked so tirelessly to secure for the advancement of work of WIPO. I am sure that all delegations present here today are agreed that it is due to the outstanding skills of Dr. Bogsch that WIPO commands a place of respect in the world. The Government of Jamaica wishes you every success in your future endeavors.

"At the same time, we mark the beginning of a new era in the life of WIPO, and it is indeed an honor for the Delegation of Jamaica to offer its heartiest and most sincere congratulations to Dr. Kamil Idris on his election as Director General. The Delegation of Jamaica is convinced that WIPO has at its helm a luminary in the world of intellectual property. Jamaica fully supports and endorses the views expressed by Dr. Idris in his statement on Monday. Rest assured, Dr. Idris, of the firm support of Jamaica in your position of leadership of this Organization."

125. The Delegation of the Eurasian Patent Office made the following statement:

"Allow me to begin, Madam Chairman, by congratulating you on your election to this very responsible post. Already during the first days of the work of this General Assembly we have seen that the gavel is in sound hands.

"With respect to Dr. Kamil Idris, I should like to congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the post of Director General of WIPO and wish you every success in your very important tasks that lie ahead. Having a very sound basis, your ideas will certainly bring positive results in the attainment of the future goals of WIPO and patent offices.

"In this room, we have heard very many words in the last few days with respect to a person who has not only laid a very solid foundation but has also erected a beautiful building for WIPO and who also has been supported by very many eminent specialists. We are duty-bound to express our gratitude to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for all of this. He was at the origin of very many tasks that have led to additional protection for intellectual property. Over the years, Dr. Bogsch has contributed to creating an intellectual property protection system throughout the world, including the creation and implementation of many international treaties. Today I should like to express my great respect and gratitude to Dr. Bogsch for the work and the practical cooperation that he has sought to forge in terms of the realm of intellectual property.

"One of the most recent agreements created directly as a consequence of work by Dr. Bogsch is the Eurasian Patent Convention, and it is precisely thanks to the active participation of Dr. Bogsch in the preparation of this international instrument that we have been able to put together provisions enabling a maximum contribution to the attainment of the needs of inventors and business circles worldwide. Dr. Bogsch, on behalf of your colleagues in the Eurasian Patent Office, I should like to express our warmest thanks to you for the work you have carried out, for our mutual understanding and cooperation with all the patent offices in our region. We thank you for the efforts that you have tirelessly deployed in support of the promotion of the structures that have now taken their place in the world of intellectual property. We wish you a long and happy retirement."

126. The Delegation of Angola made the following statement:

"Allow us to congratulate you on your election and at the same time to thank you for permitting us to associate ourselves with the congratulations already addressed to Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment to the post of Director General of WIPO.

"Just as many Delegations have already justifiably noted, we are today witnessing the beginning of a new cycle within WIPO. In our opinion, the reasonings underlying this new cycle were well set out in the speech given by Dr. Idris here in this august Assembly.

"Most sincerely, we are proud of this appointment and take this opportunity to say to you with solemnity, Madam Chairman, that both Africa and Dr. Idris indeed merited this post of Director General and the confidence of all the other regions present here.

"We also take this opportunity to express all our gratitude and thankfulness to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, the outgoing Director General, who has indeed worked hard for the respect, protection and use of intellectual property throughout the world, through cooperation with the States, by ensuring administrative cooperation between the intellectual property unions each based on a distinct multilateral treaty and concerning the legal aspects of intellectual protection.

"The WIPO permanent program for development cooperation in relation to copyright and neighboring rights, whose twelfth session was recently completed here in Geneva, constitutes an obvious proof of the way in which WIPO has achieved a program of technical assistance to the developing countries, including Angola.

"All our gratitude goes to Dr. Bogsch, to the Deputy Directors General, the Assistant Directors General and, of course, to all the Directors of WIPO.

"To conclude, and because the time would seem appropriate to us, permit us, Madam Chairman, to say thank you to WIPO, to congratulate and wish good luck to Dr. Kamil Idris, Director General of WIPO."

127. The Delegation of the Benelux Trademark Office (BBM) made the following statement:

"Permit me to congratulate you on your election to the Chair of the General Assembly of WIPO.

"In the same way as the preceding speakers, I wish to pay homage to Dr. Arpad Bogsch who has made WIPO what it is today, that is to say an efficient and innovative organization of high added value in the service of intellectual and industrial protection.

"On behalf of the Benelux Offices and in my own name, I also wish to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as the new Director General of WIPO.

"His great competence will, without any doubt, ensure the continuation and development of WIPO and enable it to envisage with confidence the challenges that appear at the dawn of the twenty-first century.

128. The Delegation of Poland made the following statement:

"The Delegation of Poland wishes to congratulate Mr. Kamil Idris on his appointment to the post of Director General of the Organization. His educational background, professional qualifications, broad knowledge of WIPO's activities, long and extensive experience of intellectual property on various posts in the Organization, recently-on the post of Deputy Director General, make him a competent person to lead WIPO in these times when the Organization faces new challenges resulting from political, economic and social transformations in the contemporary world.

"We believe that while continuing the best traditions established during Dr. Bogsch's long tenure, Mr. Idris will give new impetus to the Organization, which will allow it to preserve its role and to enter the next millennium with new ideas, prospects and abilities to encounter new dimensions. Please accept Mr. Idris our best wishes, and every success in your future work.

"This Delegation would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for all he has done for the benefit of the Organization and intellectual property during his service. He deserves credit for making people recognize the significance of intellectual property and its role in making progress and development in the world. Under his strong and skillful leadership, and thanks to his enormous devotion, dynamism, professional expertise and organizational skills, WIPO became the most important word-wide forum for industrial property and copyright matters. We wish Dr. Bogsch a long and happy retirement.

"Today we witness the end of the exceptional period in WIPO's history. The change in leadership seems to be a turning-point not only for the Organization itself, but also for the whole global community dealing with and involved in industrial property and copyright protection matters. We are confident that under a new guidance, WIPO will continue to serve and protect its interests as efficiently and competently as it has done so far."

129. The Delegation of Belgium made the following statement:

"Allow me first to congratulate you on your election to the Chair of this Assembly.

"However, our Delegation wishes above all to congratulate Dr. Idris on his election as the Director General of WIPO and this Delegation is convinced that with him WIPO is in good hands; various points in the speech of acceptance made by Dr. Idris are the proof of that.

"Our Delegation also wishes to pay homage to Dr. Arpad Bogsch whose far-sightedness and many qualities of leadership have made WIPO a model organization.

"Finally, we wish every success to Dr. Idris, and a long, peaceful and happy retirement to Dr. Bogsch."

130. The Delegation of Kyrgyzstan made the following statement:

"Like many people who have spoken before me, on behalf of the Kyrgyz Delegation, I would like to congratulate you on your election to the high office of Chairman of the WIPO General Assembly. I also congratulate your Vice-Chairmen.

"On behalf of the Delegation of Kyrgyzstan and on my own behalf, I would like to express our great thanks to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for the invaluable help as Director General that he has given us in setting up our system of intellectual property in Kyrgyzstan. The services of Dr. Bogsch to WIPO as a specialized United Nations agency are priceless. We would like to highlight all the work done by him and his colleagues. Dr. Bogsch was unable to visit our country as Director General. We would like to wish him good health and invite him to come to our country for a holiday. We would be happy to welcome him in Kyrgyzstan.

"We would also like to associate ourselves with all the numerous congratulations addressed to Dr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as Director General of WIPO. We support the main directions of WIPO's work outlined in his acceptance speech. Dr. Idris, we wish you long and fruitful work in your office to the benefit of the world intellectual property system. In addition, Dr. Idris, we hope that WIPO under your skillful guidance will give help to the development of the intellectual property system of new Independent States with economies in transition, including Kyrgyzstan. We would particularly underline the need for help and attention to the problems of copyright and neighboring rights, given the complicated nature of dispute settlement in this area. Finally, we would like to express the hope that WIPO will continue to meet the challenges of the world today for the benefit of intellectual property."

131. The Delegation of Greece made the following statement:

"Since the intervention of the Greek Delegation is among the last ones, I shall be brief, because the previous interventions have already covered the matter quite excellently.

"First of all, Madam Chairman, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization and wish you every possible success.

"Secondly, I would like to address Dr. Kamil Idris and congratulate him on his appointment as the new Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization and wish him every possible success in his important mission.

"And last but not least, I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, for his invaluable contribution to the development of WIPO up to its present admirable status and wish him a happy and healthy retirement life."

132. The Delegation of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO) made the following statement:

"May I congratulate you for your election to an important post at a historical moment.

"IFRRO-the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations-wishes first of all to thank Dr. Bogsch most sincerely for his willingness to cooperate with authors and publishers of printed works whom IFRRO represents. On many occasions I have witnessed fruitful exchange of knowledge and experience between governmental representatives and those of the private sector. In copyright, legislation and exercise of rights go hand in hand. Dr. Bogsch had the vision and foresight to see new areas and to include them in WIPO's activities carried out throughout the world. I thank Dr. Bogsch for this opportunity very warmly.

"Secondly, my Organization wishes to congratulate wholeheartedly Dr. Idris for his election to the post of the Director General. Dr. Idris, my Organization was happy to listen to your speech of acceptance on Monday and note, among other important matters, your plans to further build and enlarge cooperation with the private sector, when appropriate. I am confident that such an interchange will benefit both parties, and consequently I welcome your intention very warmly.

"Taking into account the challenges of the digital era and the international electronic network environment, norm-setting, exercise and enforcement of rights are all interlinked. In such an era I find collaboration with the market sector as a great advantage. May I assure you of my Organization's willingness to cooperate with WIPO, in areas and under forms which are found mutually beneficial.

"Dr. Idris, I share your view when you state that cooperation activities throughout the world are to the benefit of all countries, technologically advanced and less advanced alike. Our market is the world. My predecessor and teacher in copyright matters in Finland used to say that 'copyright is as strong as its weakest link.' I share his view. I hope that we can all together make every link stronger."

133. The Delegation of Iraq made the following statement:

"May I first of all very briefly associate myself with my colleagues who have sincerely congratulated you on your election to the Chair of this General Assembly and I also congratulate the two Vice-Chairmen.

"On behalf of the delegation of my country I would also like to sincerely congratulate Dr. Idris on his appointment as Director General of the Organization. We are quite sure that thanks to his skill and competence the Organization's activities will be crowned with success. I would also like to express our great debt to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for the efforts made during his tenure. Of course our Organization is very proud of being successful in the United Nations. We wish Dr. Bogsch good health and every success."

134. The Delegation of the Czech Republic made the following statement:

"First of all allow me to congratulate you to the election to this important post and to your Vice-Chairmen as well.

"Madam Chair, let me on behalf of the Delegation of the Czech Republic congratulate the newly appointed Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, and wish him successful work in the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization. We believe that, thanks to his vitality and qualification, the World Intellectual Property Organization under his leadership will in the next millennium flourish.

"Madam Chair, allow me to take this opportunity also to express our warmest thanks to the outgoing Director General, Dr. Arpad Bogsch, for his long time and successful guidance of this Organization which became the universal forum for the discussion, examination and creation of new solutions for the worldwide protection of intellectual property. The Delegation of the Czech Republic highly appreciates as well the extraordinary personal contribution of Dr. Arpad Bogsch to the global development of the intellectual property system. We wish him a happy retirement."

135. The Delegation of the International Trademark Association (INTA) made the following statement:

"On behalf of the International Trademark Association's 3300 member companies and firms in 120 countries, I would first like to thank you for the opportunity to address this Assembly and to congratulate you on your election as its President.

"Secondly, INTA wishes to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Bogsch for his indelible contributions and years of distinguished service to WIPO and to the intellectual property community. INTA is particularly grateful to Dr. Bogsch for his efforts to increase the awareness of the importance of trademarks to international commerce and economic development.

"The International Trademark Association is also honored to have the opportunity to congratulate Dr. Idris on his appointment as the next Director General of WIPO and to offer its support and best wishes to Dr. Idris as he takes on the task of guiding WIPO in its essential mission to improve the protection of intellectual property worldwide.

"Dr. Idris begins his tenure at an exciting time in the world of trademarks. The trend toward increased harmonization of trademark law and practice, the economic transition to open market economies taking place in many countries throughout the world, and the new era of global electronic commerce all present unique challenges for the trademark community.

"INTA is confident that under Dr. Idris' leadership, WIPO will continue to lead the way in devising innovative and comprehensive responses to these challenges. INTA pledges its full support to Dr. Idris and looks forward to continuing the close working relationship between our two Organizations well into the twenty-first century. Thank you."

136. The Delegation of Estonia made the following statement:

"The Delegation of Estonia wishes to make a short statement. Before all we would like to express our deepest gratefulness to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for fruitful cooperation, for understanding our problems and for great support in building up the contemporary industrial property protection system in Estonia.

"We wish Dr. Bogsch and his family a lot of warm days in the future. Our invitation to visit Estonia remains in force.

"We congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris for his election to the post of new Director General of WIPO. Our wish is to have a good and close cooperation with him and we will give him and his staff all of our support. We would like to inform all of you that Estonia is ready to accede in the near future to the Madrid Protocol and the European Patent Convention."

137. The Delegation of Azerbaijan made the following statement:

"I would like to associate myself with many expressions of congratulations to you and your Vice-Chairmen on your elections to these lofty offices of the WIPO General Assembly. May I, on behalf of the Republic of Azerbaijan, congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his unanimous appointment as Director General of WIPO. It gives us great pleasure that the leadership of this Organization has gone to a young and energetic, brilliant diplomat and an experienced administrator. Dr. Arpad Bogsch has developed the Organization to a high degree of excellence and has written a great page in the history of intellectual property. I think Dr. Idris will be a worthy successor to him.

"We express our great gratitude and our conviction that WIPO will be in reliable hands in the future and that its good work will be carried on by Dr. Idris.

"In conclusion, we give our support to the main outline for WIPO action as outlined in Dr. Idris' acceptance speech and we wish him every success in implementing them. We hope that in this very important office you will be helped by Allah and we wish you every success."

138. The Delegation of Turkmenistan made the following statement:

"First of all I would like to congratulate you Madam Chairman and your Vice-Chairmen on your election to your offices in the General Assembly of WIPO. I am also authorized on behalf of the Government of Turkmenistan to congratulate you Dr. Kamil Idris on your appointment as the new Director General of WIPO. I associate myself with the expressions of high regard for your personality by the other speakers and I wish you success in your very difficult job.

"Turkmenistan is one of the countries with its economy in transition and we consider priority areas of your program as very important. We were very impressed by your acceptance speech. I hope that direct help will be given to intellectual property offices especially those in countries where we are developing a market economy. We have recently achieved our independence and we are in a difficult period of transition to a market economy. We therefore urgently need help and constant cooperation with WIPO and attention from the Director General of WIPO. We are assured that this will be achieved through your high human qualities, Dr. Idris, your great knowledge and rich experience.

"I am also authorized by my Government to thank Dr. Arpad Bogsch for his attention and help given to Turkmenistan to the setting up of the national system for the protection of intellectual property. The experience we have achieved in the short time we have been members of WIPO and the results achieved by us were made possible thanks to the personal attention and practical help given by Dr. Arpad Bogsch. We are quite convinced that his knowledge and experience will be in demand for a long while yet. We wish him good health and a long life."

139. The Delegation of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) made the following statement:

"If I said that we of the ICC agree with every word of gratitude and appreciation that has been addressed here to Dr. Bogsch, and with all the best wishes expressed to Dr. Idris, it would certainly be true and time-efficient. It might, however, not be sufficiently worthy of this historic occasion.

"Let me therefore say that, on behalf of the International Chamber of Commerce and its members in over 130 countries all over the world, I should like to congratulate Dr. Idris on his election as Director General of this prestigious Organization.

"At this time of technological revolution, may he lead it from strength to strength in the service of the world business community and of human progress as a whole. He has very ably set out his objectives in his acceptance speech, and we have noted with particular interest his intention to set up an Industry Advisory Commission and a Policy Advisory Commission. We wish him well in the tremendous task he has assumed and we can assure him of our unstinting support.

"If WIPO which he is taking over is the important institution it is today, it is in no small measure-and this is probably the understatement of the year-thanks to Dr. Bogsch. Others have paid tribute, more eloquently than I possibly could, to his capacities, his professional and diplomatic skills, and his personality. Let me just thank him in particular for the close, fruitful and friendly cooperation which under his stewardship developed and intensified between our two Organizations. Senior staff members of WIPO regularly attend meetings of our relevant commissions and other events of the ICC. On many occasions, Dr. Bogsch did us the honor and pleasure in participating in person. The ICC and its members are regularly invited to attend WIPO meetings. But cooperation between our two Organizations of course goes deeper than attending each other's meetings: at the working level, firm professional and personal links have been forged between the two secretariats, and they have served us well and augur well for the future. We are sure that this cooperation will continue and prosper under the new Director General.

"So, let me simply and sincerely say to Dr. Bogsch: thank you for everything you have done; and equally simply and sincerely to Dr. Idris: good luck and our best wishes and full support accompany you."

140. The Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I would like to congratulate you on your nomination to chair this meeting. I would also like to join the other delegations and congratulate Mr. Kamil Idris on his appointment as Director General of WIPO and to express our deep hope in good future cooperation with this Organization. We wish Mr. Kamil Idris full success in his future work as Director General.

"We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to Mr. Arpad Bogsch on his excellent work and wisdom in all activities and developments of WIPO. We are expressing our thanks for his full understanding and assistance for our institute for patents. Our institute was established in 1992 and thanks to Mr. Bogsch and the Secretariat of WIPO our institute has a solid base for its future work.

"At the end we can only say 'thanks Mr. Bogsch' and we wish you a very good retirement and a long healthy life."

141. The Delegation of Paraguay made the following statement:

"It is a source of great satisfaction for me to take the floor on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay to highlight the work done by Dr. Arpad Bogsch at the head of the World Intellectual Property Organization, and at the same time to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his election as new Director General.

"Paraguay has good reason to congratulate Dr. Bogsch and thank him for the work done in the Organization to which he has devoted a large part of his life, first as an official and subsequently as first WIPO Director General. Paraguay received cooperation from WIPO long before it joined, which enabled it to develop its legislation and institutions for the better protection of intellectual rights. Since Paraguay joined the Organization in 1987 and the main Unions administered by it, Dr. Bogsch has continued to give it evidence of his interest and consideration, which were reflected in specific action for the consolidation of its intellectual property system and training of its human resources.

"Paraguay has rewarded this noble attitude with active participation in WIPO activities, in its meetings, its projects and its initiatives. One of the culminating points of this fertile relationship that benefited the objectives of the Organization was when the Governing Bodies designated me Chairman of the Coordination Committee in 1995, and mandated me to represent WIPO in the negotiation of a cooperation agreement with the World Trade Organization for the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement. As you know, Madam Chairman, that delicate task culminated successfully in the signature of an agreement that is a model of cooperation between two international organizations, and which at present is fully operational for the benefit of the institutions and Member States of WIPO and the WTO. The negotiation of the agreement gave me the opportunity to entertain close relations with Dr. Bogsch and with some of his senior collaborators, which afforded me personal experience of their high degree of professionalism and enthusiastic dedication to the subject of intellectual property. For that reason the Delegation of Paraguay is pleased to have been able to contribute to WIPO's preservation of the space that rightly belongs to it in the handling of intellectual property, a subject that has become one of the most important in the modern world. I should like to take this opportunity to repeat to Dr. Bogsch and to his close collaborators our thanks for the understanding and support that they gave me during the negotiations with the representatives of the WTO.

"Without any doubt, the designation of a new WIPO Director General is an event of the utmost significance to the international community in general, especially the Member States of the Organization itself, but also those that are not members. Owing to the importance of intellectual property to the development of science, technology and the arts, which we have already mentioned, and also its present relation to trade, the work that Dr. Kamil Idris will be responsible for doing is bound to have a profound influence on the progress and well-being of mankind. We have taken note with enthusiasm and interest of his proposals for giving WIPO the qualities of modernity and excellence that it needs in order to become an active player in world development in the twenty-first century.

"Paraguay originally supported the nomination of Dr. Idris to the post of Director General of WIPO in the conviction that he enjoyed the high regard and possessed the qualifications required for such an exalted appointment. The fact that he comes from a developing country is a source of satisfaction for my country. While congratulating Dr. Kamil Idris on his election, the Delegation of Paraguay wishes to assure him, through me, of its full support to ensure that his work is crowned with success."

142. The Delegation of Iceland made the following statement:

"On behalf of the Icelandic Delegation at this Governing Body's meeting I congratulate you, Miss Batchelor, for your election as the Chairperson of WIPO General Assembly. We take this as a sign of increasing influence of women in the international organizations. We wish you good luck in the work ahead.

"Dr. Kamil Idris. At this meeting your new proposals for the future have been compared to the warm wind in your country. In our country, with an intellectual property office far more north than in most other countries, such a wind hardly exists. However, we can assure you that we felt warm in our hearts when we heard about your nomination to the post of Director General. We now wholeheartedly support your appointment and wish you good fortune in your demanding task in the forthcoming years.

"Dr. Arpad Bogsch, it is our pleasure to be able to report at this landmark in your life, that in recent years there has been a significant progress in the field of intellectual property rights in Iceland. Most important is our participation in the PCT Treaty and Madrid system. We would like to use this opportunity to thank you, Dr. Bogsch, and your staff for the generous support given during implementation of these treaties, including training of our staff members.

"I personally thank you for your kindness and assistance in recent years and I wish you all the best in the years coming."

143. The Delegation of South Africa made the following statement:

"Madam Chairperson, the South African Delegation extends to you its sincere congratulations on your election to the Chairperson of this Assembly and notes with satisfaction the recognition which your election to this position gives to gender equality.

"The South African Delegation wishes to congratulate Dr. Kamil Idris on his election to the post of Director General of WIPO. He brings to the position which he occupies a wealth of experience which will serve him well in leading this Organization into the twenty-first century.

"His vision and conviction outlined so eloquently in his acceptance speech, the course which he will chart in guiding WIPO into the coming millennium, will without doubt ensure the optimal utilization of the benefits which lie within the intellectual property system for all WIPO's member States.

"The ideals and aspirations of developing countries in particular, will in our view, Madam Chair, be fully realized during Dr. Idris' term of office and WIPO is well positioned under his able leadership to realize the fullest extent of the expectations of all the member States of this esteemed Organization.

"This Delegation also wishes to pay tribute to Dr. Arpad Bogsch for the foundation which he has laid for the Organization. This provides a sound basis for Dr. Idris to build upon in taking WIPO securely into the future.

"Finally, Madam Chair, if I may be permitted to address Dr. Idris directly through you. Dr. Idris, Sir, this Delegation on behalf of the South African Government gives to you its fullest assurance of South Africa's absolute support and cooperation during your term of office."

144. In summarizing the discussion, the Chair of the WIPO General Assembly observed that over 125 delegations had paid glowing tribute to two great men. She observed that the delegations had all recognized the length and the breadth of Dr. Bogsch's contribution to the field of intellectual property. They had also noted how critical had been Dr. Bogsch's assistance to development cooperation and his personal interest in their individual national intellectual property systems. In respect of the appointment of Dr. Idris as the next Director General of WIPO, the Chairperson of the General Assembly noted the sense of pride and elation which was demonstrated by African Delegations, echoed by other developing country delegations and shared by all other delegations. In view of Dr. Idris' well-known capabilities, all delegations were looking forward to his tenure of office with great anticipation and high expectations. In concluding that WIPO was replacing one outstanding Director General with another, the Chair of the General Assembly wished both men Godspeed and God's blessings.

Conditions of Appointment of the New Director General

145. The Chair of the WIPO General Assembly made the following statement:

"Following discussions with the group coordinators, in order to put written proposals before the General Assembly that would provide a basis for the Assembly's consideration of the second part of paragraph 5 of Agenda item 4, that is, the responsibility of the General Assembly to fix all the conditions of the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris as the Director General of WIPO, the following has been agreed:

"A Working Group will be established, to be chaired by the Chair of the General Assembly, with a mandate to consider the conditions to be fixed by the General Assembly for the appointment of the Director General elect, Dr. Kamil Idris; to make recommendations stemming from its deliberations; and to publish these recommendations in a written report to be submitted for the consideration of the General Assembly during its thirty-first series of meetings.

"The Vice Chair of the Working Group will be the Chair of the Coordination Committee and the members of the Working Group will be:

"the Vice Chairs of the General Assembly and the Coordination Committee,

the Group Coordinator of Africa

the Group Coordinator of Asia

the Group Coordinator of Central Asian, Caucasus and Eastern European States

the Group Coordinator of Central European and Baltic States

the Group Coordinator of Group B

the Group Coordinator of Latin America and the Caribbean, and

the Representative from China.

"The Director General elect may attend any meeting of the Working Group or have his interests represented by anyone so designated by him, at any such meeting. He, or his designate, may participate in the proceedings of the meeting, upon recognition by the Chair."

146. The Working Group met on four occasions on September 25, 26 and 30. Its Report is contained in document AB/XXXI/WG/1.

147. On October 1, 1997, the Chair of the WIPO General Assembly made the following statement:

"I would now like to turn again to the consideration of part two of paragraph 5 of Agenda Item 4, the period and conditions for the appointment the Director General elect, Dr. Kamil Idris. You will have in front of you a Report of the Working Group established to make recommendations on the conditions of the appointment of the Director General elect, document AB/XXXI/WG/1. The Annex to that document contains the recommendations of the Working Group. That document was circulated to you, but has not yet been discussed in the Assembly. Since the publication of the Report, the Working Group has held three further sessions that have been attended by the Delegation of the United States of America, where there was extensive discussion and lively debate between the Working Group and that Delegation. As a result of these discussions, the Working Group proposes the following amendments to the draft contract of the Director General contained in the Annex of the cited document:

(i) Clause 2(1) of the draft Contract between the Organization and the Director General elect should now read: "an annual net salary calculated at the same rate as the highest annual net salary payable, from time to time, to the Head of a Specialized Agency of the United Nations which has its Headquarters in Geneva."

(ii) Clause 4 of the draft Contract should now read: "Dr. Idris shall be entitled to continue to participate in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, in accordance with the Regulations of that Fund and with the pensionable remuneration determined in accordance with the methodology of the General Assembly of the United Nations."

"I would ask the General Assembly whether, with these amendments to the Annex, the cited document represents the consensus of the Assembly of the conditions which should be fixed for the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris as the next Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization."

148. The Delegation of Sri Lanka, speaking on behalf of the Asian Group, the Delegation of Ecuador, speaking on behalf of the Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries, the Delegation of Côte d'Ivoire, speaking on behalf of the African Group, the Delegation of China, the Delegation of Hungary, speaking on behalf of the Group of Central European and Baltic States, and the Delegation of the Russian Federation, speaking on behalf of the Group of Central Asian, Caucasus and Eastern European States, all stated that they fully supported the conditions for the appointment of Dr. Idris as proposed in the Report of the Working group, with the amendments indicated by the Chair of the WIPO General Assembly (see the previous paragraph).

149. The Delegation of the United States of America made the following statement:

"Recognizing the late hour, I will be very brief. My delegation and my Government have made no secret of our admiration for Dr. Idris. We welcome his strong endorsement of principles of transparency and accountability. In that spirit, we have made our views known as this discussion has progressed. We wish to thank the Working Group and our colleagues for hearing our views as we all grapple with the new approach of this review. Our views, I stress, are not personal against Dr. Idris. We strongly support his succession as the Director General. I have conveyed that to him and in fact have conveyed our view that, in the past, contracts were not appropriately scrutinized. The United States Government must oppose this contract. I have been instructed to say that it is important that the compensation package be in line with United Nations system norms. Transparency and accountability were the key elements in Dr. Idris's acceptance speech. There should be a transparent process in determining the overall compensation package. I have been instructed to ask for a vote."

150. The Chair of the WIPO General Assembly stated:

"I have had a call for a vote. Is there a seconder? As there is no seconder, I rule that the motion for a vote fails."

151. Mr. Gurry, Acting Legal Counsel, WIPO, made the following statement:

"Dr. Idris did not participate in the deliberations of the Working Group, because he felt that it was not up to him, but to the General Assembly, to fix the conditions of his appointment.

"On behalf of Dr. Idris, I thank the Delegation of the United States of America for having so clearly indicated that its position is entirely unrelated to Dr. Idris personally, as well as for the support that it has expressed throughout this meeting for Dr. Idris.

"Dr. Idris emphasized in his Acceptance Speech the desirability of consensus as a means of reaching decisions. He also made it clear in the Working Group, through his representative, that he did not have any special wishes or desires in relation to the conditions of his appointment and that he did not wish to receive any conditions that were not the subject of consensus.

"In view of the position expressed by the Delegation of the United States of America, there is no consensus on the conditions of the appointment of Dr. Idris and so he wishes it to be known that he considers that he is now in the hands of this General Assembly as to how to proceed from this point."

152. The Chair of the WIPO General Assembly asked if there was any other delegation that opposed the adoption of the Report of the Working Group, as amended. There being none, the Chair ruled that the Report had been adopted by the General Assembly, with one Delegation opposing its adoption.

153. The Chair then stated that, in view of the lateness of the hour, it would not be possible to have a report on this part of the Agenda item prepared and distributed before the close of the session. The report to be prepared would reflect all interventions that had been made. The Chair stated that she would enter into a contract with Dr. Idris which represented the expression of the majority of this Assembly as to the conditions to be attached to his appointment as Director General of the World Intellectual Organization for a period of six years.

154. The Delegation of Côte d'Ivoire, speaking on behalf of the African Group, the Delegation of Sri Lanka, speaking on behalf of the Asian Group, the Delegation of France, speaking on behalf of Group B and the Delegation of Ecuador, speaking on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, all expressed their gratitude to Dr. Idris for his decision to renounce receipt from the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) of a payment of 20% of his salary as Director General of WIPO for service as Secretary-General of UPOV.

155. Discussions were based on document WO/GA/XX1/11.

156. The Delegation of Ecuador, speaking on behalf of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), said that it considered that decisions on the question of premises should be part of the new Director General's program. GRULAC supported having the decision being deferred to the 1998-99 biennium.

157. The Delegation of Germany observed that at the last joint session of the Budget and Premises Committees in April 1997 no consensus had been reached on the question of whether or not to continue the international architectural competition for a new building on the Steiner lot, located directly across the street from the entrance of the WIPO building. The Delegation of Germany had always supported a pragmatic and constructive approach to accommodating the growing space needs of WIPO. It had therefore repeatedly recommended a continuation of the building planning, and more specifically a continuation of the architectural competition. However, in view of the document under consideration and the recommendation contained in the very last paragraph, the Delegation considered that it was not in the interest of the Organization now to resume the already interrupted architectural competition, and that the decision should be left entirely to the incoming Director General.

158. The Delegation of Sri Lanka, speaking on behalf of the Asian Group, recalled the discussion in the Budget and Premises Committees with regard to the additional premises required by WIPO. One of the major developments since the last meeting of those Committees was that the Steiner lot was apparently no longer available, as the Steiner Group was going to construct a building according to its own plans, but would give WIPO priority in using that as and when it was required. The Delegation observed that the Steiner firm still considered WIPO as one of its best clients; the firm had waited for a long time, and finally had taken a decision after knowing the Budget and Premises Committees' recommendations and discussions on the question of WIPO's premises. WIPO's options were now very limited: either to proceed with the second stage of the architectural competition, or to wait until the new Director General assumed his duties and to see what his proposals would be to address the question of additional space required by the Organization. The Asian Group believed that at this point of time one should not commit the Organization to an expenditure of around one million Swiss francs nor commit the Organization to take a particular building. The Asian Group would therefore like to wait until the new Director General assumed his duties and to request the new Director General to present whatever proposals he wished to make in order to address the particular issue regarding the additional space required by WIPO.

159. The Delegation of the United States of America said that it would like to defer to the views of the incoming Director General. It hoped that he would fully reflect on two very important variables in assessing the needs of the International Bureau for space. The first variable was to fully appreciate the effects of automation on the PCT operations of WIPO, which was the principal source of growing work for the Organization and, as a consequence, of the staff needs. Given the developments in the past six to nine months in the collective efforts at automation and full use of information technologies, the Delegation considered that there would be a significant impact of those technologies on the staff and space needs of WIPO. The second variable to be considered was the full utilization of the WMO Building and any possible link building that would be constructed. The Delegation recalled that WIPO had already purchased the WMO Building, which would become available in the next few years once WMO's new building was constructed, and that variable should also be incorporated into the deliberations of the Director General elect before he would make new proposals on the question of premises. Finally, the Delegation said that it had full confidence that the available space in Geneva would be more than adequate to address any interim space needs of the International Bureau, including in the building that the Steiner firm would be proceeding to construct across the street, which could provide additional temporary rental space for WIPO if that was needed during the interim period of the next few years. In conclusion, the Delegation invited the new Director General to consider all of these factors and to provide enough time before coming back to the question of premises in the future.

160. The Delegation of Côte d'Ivoire, speaking on behalf of the African Group, said that it supported the proposal set forth in paragraph 12 of document WO/GA/XXI/11, namely, that it should be left to the new Director General to present his proposals as to the best way to address WIPO's premises needs.

161. The Delegation of France noted, with regret but without any surprise, the position taken by the Steiner Group, which had been waiting for a number of years for a decision regarding making a building available to WIPO if needed. The Delegation considered that it would be extremely interesting to hear the view of the Director General elect, in particular, as to how urgent he considered the need for new premises to be. If he believed that this was an urgent matter, then one must not lose sight of the possibility, offered by the Steiner Group, of reserving these premises for WIPO in priority. This matter was of particular concern to the Delegation, as it would be regrettable if the office space needs, notably, those resulting from the growth of the PCT or even from the new information technologies which would require additional staff and equipment, were to be met at the detriment of other WIPO activities, such as translation. It was therefore necessary to have an overall assessment of the situation and to hear from the new Director General what were in his opinion the needs of the Organization and the timing of those needs. If those needs were urgent, it might be necessary to take a decision before the WMO Building would become available. While a position could not now be taken regarding the architectural competition, the Delegation felt that it was necessary, as a matter of priority, to know the views of the new Director General regarding WIPO's premises needs.

162. The Delegation of Chile said that it did not wish to repeat the arguments already made during the course of the last meetings of the Budget and Premises Committees. It was convinced that the new Director General would take them into account. At this stage, the Delegation said that it supported the proposal made in paragraph 12 of the document, namely, not to make any decision at this stage and rather to wait for the proposals of the new Director General.

163. The Delegation of Finland said that it fully agreed with the statement of the Delegation of France. It was a pity that the matter of the Steiner lot, which was already discussed in 1989, was still an open question. It was necessary to see the needs for premises and what should be done regarding the Steiner lot, which was next door. The Delegation hoped that the Director General elect would make some proposals on this matter.

164. The General Assembly decided that it be left for the Director General elect to put forward proposals concerning premises for later consideration by the General Assembly.

165. Discussions were based on documents WO/GA/XX1/2, 3, and 12.

166. The Delegation of Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Union and its member States, stated that the European Union and its member States remained in favor of the establishment of a dispute-settlement mechanism under the auspices of WIPO. In the Delegation's view, however, certain outstanding issues had to be resolved before convening a diplomatic conference. In particular, a clear linkage between the dispute-settlement system at WTO and the system under the proposed Treaty should be established, and the role to be played by the European Union and its member States under the proposed Treaty should be clearly defined. Further consultations were needed to resolve these and other issues, in order that a diplomatic conference could be convened in 1999.

167. The Delegation of Ecuador, speaking on behalf of the Latin American and the Caribbean Group, stressed the importance that that Group attached to the issue of dispute settlement between States in the field of intellectual property. The Group was ready and willing to participate in further consultations aimed at resolving all outstanding issues. In the interim, the Group would request that the Director General elect include in the Program and Budget for the 1998-99 biennium provision for the continuation of consultations and the convening of a diplomatic conference on the issue.

168. The Delegation of the United States of America emphasized that, with the coming into force of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement of which the TRIPS Agreement was an integral part, there was no need for the establishment of a separate dispute-settlement mechanism under the auspices of WIPO. The Delegation of the United States of America was of the view that the WTO dispute-settlement procedures had proved very satisfactory. To that extent, there was no basis for convening a diplomatic conference to conclude a new treaty. The Delegation stated that the unanswered questions relating to the proposed Treaty were unlikely to be resolved in the next 18 months. It observed, in this regard, that several developing countries still benefited from transitional provisions in the TRIPS Agreement, and had therefore not implemented the TRIPS Agreement. For those countries that had intellectual property disputes under the TRIPS Agreement, such disputes had almost always been satisfactorily resolved through consultations. The Delegation indicated that if a Treaty on the Settlement of Disputes between States in the Field of Intellectual Property were concluded, the United States of America would not adhere to such a treaty, and the participation of the United States of America in any further activities relating to the proposed Treaty should not be construed as an indication that that Delegation would adhere to the proposed Treaty in the event it were to be completed and adopted.

169. The Delegation of Japan stated that it would be premature to convene a diplomatic conference at this stage. In the Delegation's view, there was no need for an additional dispute-settlement mechanism outside the WTO framework. The Delegation of Japan was nevertheless of the view that WIPO should continue to be the sole United Nations agency responsible for intellectual property issues. In that regard, WIPO could participate in the WTO dispute-settlement process by expressing its views to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body.

170. The Delegation of Australia expressed satisfaction with the work done by the International Bureau on the proposed Treaty. The Delegation, however, was of the view that further work on the proposed Treaty was unnecessary. All indications were that the WTO dispute-settlement mechanism was working very well. It was thus unlikely that any special dispute-settlement procedure would be needed at WIPO, and a diplomatic conference would be premature.

171. The Delegation of Algeria noted the high quality of the documents prepared by the International Bureau. Work on the proposed Treaty had reached a stage where it might soon be possible to decide whether, and when, to convene a diplomatic conference. In the view of the Delegation of Algeria, it was important to recall that while the WTO dispute-settlement mechanism was working efficiently, a considerable number of WIPO member States were not party to the WTO Agreement. Further consultations in the form of a Committee of Experts were therefore needed. The result of these consultations could be a dispute-settlement mechanism at WIPO that would improve upon the WTO's experience.

172. The Delegation of Sri Lanka, speaking on behalf of the Asian Group, observed that, while a lot of ground had been covered, some issues that were of particular concern to the developing countries, and to Asian countries in particular, remained outstanding. The Delegation therefore proposed that another meeting of the Committee of Experts be convened in 1998 to address all outstanding issues. At this stage, the Asian Group did not wish to commit to any specific date for a diplomatic conference.

173. The Delegation of the Republic of Korea fully supported the convening of a diplomatic conference. In the Delegation's view, WIPO member States could not rely on the World Trade Organization for the resolution of all intellectual property disputes, in the light of the arguments already explained by other delegations. In particular, it was recalled that WIPO was the largest international organization with an exclusive mandate for intellectual property issues, and that the membership of WIPO and WTO was not the same. The Delegation hoped that the diplomatic conference would be provided for in the Program and Budget for the 1998-99 biennium.

174. The Delegation of Senegal stated that it was undecided on the issue and remained open to suggestions. In the Delegation's view, however, several legal issues still needed to be resolved before an informed decision could be made on the question of a diplomatic conference.

175. The Delegation of Côte d'Ivoire, speaking on behalf of the Group of African countries that had not yet expressed an opinion, stated that his Group had an open mind on the issue. In the view of the African Group, further deliberations were needed, and the dates for any possible diplomatic conference could be discussed only after questions of particular importance to the developing countries had been fully debated and answered.

176. The Delegation of Canada supported deferral of the decision on a diplomatic conference. Some outstanding issues, such as the relationship of the proposed Treaty with the WTO dispute-settlement system, still needed to be settled. The Delegation of Canada agreed with the Delegation of Japan's statement that it could not find a strong urgency in this item.

177. The Delegation of Hungary expressed its interest in the convening of a diplomatic conference to adopt a Treaty on the Settlement of Disputes between States in the Field of Intellectual Property. The Delegation suggested, however, that for the reasons stated in the document of the European Union, further consultations were needed before a diplomatic conference could be convened.

178. The Delegation of Brazil stated that it was in favor of the proposed Treaty, and supported the inclusion of a diplomatic conference in the Program and Budget for the next biennium.

179. The Delegation of Nigeria stated that it was rather late in the day to rule out the proposed Treaty. The Delegation supported the views expressed by the European Union and the African Group, namely that, while there was no hurry for a diplomatic conference, the issue should be kept alive by providing for it in the Program and Budget for the next biennium.

180. The Delegation of Chile expressed great satisfaction with the quality of the documents produced by the International Bureau. The Delegation supported the idea of a new round of consultations to settle the outstanding issues. It was convinced that a further meeting of the Committee of Experts could resolve all those issues. The Delegation asked that the Program and Budget for the next biennium should include an item on covening a diplomatic conference, without prejudice to any future decision on the issue.

181. The Delegation of Israel supported the views expressed by the majority of the delegations. It recalled the lack of symmetry in WTO and WIPO membership, and the fact that the recently concluded WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty were not covered under the WTO dispute-settlement mechanism. The Delegation of Israel suggested that the International Bureau could assist the Governing Bodies by simplifying some of the dispute-settlement procedures under the draft Treaty proposed by the Committee of Experts.

182. The Delegation of Kenya stressed the need for further discussion and study of the issue in order to make an informed decision on the question of a diplomatic conference.

183. The Delegation of Colombia reiterated the position of the Latin American and the Caribbean Group, as expressed by the Delegation of Ecuador. Stressing the need for a dispute-settlement mechanism under WIPO's auspices, the Delegation of Colombia hoped that the Program and Budget for the next biennium would include provision for a diplomatic conference.

184. The General Assembly decided by consensus on the need to continue consultations to determine whether to convene a diplomatic conference at a later date, and such a need should be reflected in the Program and Budget for the 1998-99 biennium.

185. Discussions were based on document WO/GA/XXI/4.

186. The Delegation of Ecuador, speaking on behalf of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), referred to the importance of the discussions which had taken place in the Committee of Experts meetings. The Group was of the opinion that the draft program and budget to be prepared by the new Director General should provide for further meetings leading to the adoption of the Treaty.

187. The Delegation of Canada stated that the work so far done in the Committee of Experts on matters of form had already been very successful and expressed its continued support for the work on the draft Treaty. The Delegation also expressed the hope that, in the near future, it would be possible to resume discussion on the harmonization of substantive matters which it regarded as crucial, both for patent offices and for the users of the system.

188. The Delegation of China recalled that it had consistently supported the harmonization of patent law under the draft Treaty and expressed its support for the convening, at the appropriate time, of a preparatory meeting and a Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the Treaty. The Delegation also commented that, although the development of the patent systems in different countries should involve the harmonization and simplification of the patent procedures for the benefit of applicants, it was necessary to avoid introducing complications for patent offices.

189. The Delegation of Japan expressed its support for the contents of document WO/GA/XXI/4. The Delegation observed that, if the next session of the Committee of Experts completed discussions on technical aspects of the draft Treaty, it would be appropriate for an extraordinary session of the WIPO General Assembly in 1998 to decide on the dates of a Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the Treaty and the preparatory meeting. The Delegation also supported the view of the Delegation of Canada that it was necessary to resume discussion on the harmonization of substantive aspects of patent law.

190. The Delegation of Germany recalled that it had always been dedicated to the cause of the international harmonization of patent laws and that, during the discussion of the Activities Report, it had noted with regret that it had proved impossible to agree on a comprehensive harmonization of patent laws. The Delegation was, therefore, of the opinion that it was reasonable to limit the draft Treaty to procedural matters and that additional substantive items should not be included for the time being. The Delegation was of the opinion that, in view of the results so far obtained in the Committee of Experts, provision for a preparatory meeting and a Diplomatic Conference to be convened in the course of the next biennium should be included in the program and budget of the forthcoming biennium.

191. The Delegation of Australia stated that its country regarded harmonization as a very important process. It recognized that, for a number of reasons, the draft Treaty was confined to procedural matters and saw very considerable benefit in concluding a treaty on such matters. Nevertheless, it would not like the long-term process to conclude with the adoption of that Treaty, and it was therefore in favor of future harmonization of substantive matters.

192. The Delegation of Cuba expressed its support for the statement by the Delegation of Ecuador as Coordinator of GRULAC and stressed the importance of a speedy conclusion of negotiations concerning the draft Treaty. The Delegation noted the importance of the draft Treaty in harmonizing the legislation of countries at a time when so many developing countries were preparing changes to their patent laws.

193. The Delegation of the United States of America expressed support for the contents of paragraph 3 of document WO/GA/XXI/4, in particular, that a decision on further meetings should be based on the results of the meeting of the Committee of Experts to be held in December 1997.

194. The Delegation of France stated that, in line with the views expressed by other Delegations, it attached great importance to harmonization of patent laws and that, while a treaty on formalities was currently under preparation, substantive matters should not be left aside in the future. As was stated in document WO/GA/XXI/4, only following the discussions of the Committee of Experts, to be held in December 1997, could a decision be taken on convening a preparatory meeting and a Diplomatic Conference. The WIPO General Assembly would then be in a position to take such a decision in 1998.

195. The Delegation of the Republic of Korea stated that, in its opinion, the provisions of the draft Treaty would be fully reviewed in the session of the Committee of Experts scheduled to take place in December 1997, and it therefore supported the contents of document WO/GA/XXI/4.

196. The WIPO General Assembly took note of the contents of document WO/GA/XXI/4 and requested the International Bureau to present to the General Assembly a further progress report, possibly accompanied by proposals concerning a preparatory meeting for a diplomatic conference and concerning the Diplomatic Conference itself, after the fifth session of the Committee of Experts scheduled to take place from December 15 to 19, 1997.

197. The Chairman stated that the scope of agenda item 15, which originally only covered audiovisual performances and databases, in harmony with the consensus reached during the discussion of agenda item 5 (Activities Report) also extended to the issue of folklore.

198. Discussions were based on document WO/GA/XXI/10 and on paragraphs 708 to 710 of document AB/XXXI/5.

199. The Delegation of Côte d'Ivoire, speaking on behalf of the African Group, proposed the adoption of the recommendations and proposals referred to in paragraph 3 of document WO/GA/XXI/10, and reiterated the desire of the Group that the new Director General, in preparing the Draft Program and Budget for the next biennium, take into account the proposals included in the "plan of action" adopted at the UNESCO-WIPO World Forum on the Protection of Folklore (Phuket, Thailand, April 8 to 10, 1997) as quoted in paragraph 709 of document AB/XXXI/5, as well as the comments made on that issue during the discussion of item 5 of the agenda (Activities Report).

200. The Delegation of Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, supported the recommendations adopted by the Committee of Experts on Audiovisual Performances (Annex A of document WO/GA/XXI/10). It also supported the recommendations of the Information Meeting on Intellectual Property in Databases (Annex B of document WO/GA/XXI/10), and expressed the desire of the European Community and its Member States that, as a further step, a Committee of Experts be convened on that issue as soon as possible after the distribution of the documents mentioned in the recommendations. The Delegation said that the program of WIPO for the next biennium, might include, in addition to the issues of audiovisual performances and of databases, also the issues of folklore and of the rights of broadcasters.

201. The Delegation of Algeria supported the recommendations and proposals included in the reports of the Committee of Experts (paragraphs 12 to 14 of Annex A of document WO/GA/XXI/10) and of the Information Meeting (paragraphs 12 and 13 of Annex B of document WO/GA/XXI/10). In respect of the latter issue, it said that the September-October 1998 sessions of the Governing Bodies should decide on any further meeting, including the nature of the meeting. The Delegation strongly supported the inclusion of the issue of the protection of folklore into the program for the next biennium. It expressed the view that the consideration of the issue should start with regional consultation meetings followed by the convocation of a Committee of Experts, and that the preparatory work should cover works of cultural heritage and popular art.

202. The Delegation of Senegal supported the adoption of the recommendations and proposals referred to in paragraph 3 of document WO/GA/XXI/10. In respect of the issue of folklore, it proposed that the new Director General, when preparing the Draft Program and Budget for the next biennium, take into account the "Phuket plan of action" quoted in paragraph 709 of document AB/XXXI/5, on the understanding that it could be left to the International Bureau to establish the calendar of the various meetings.

203. The Delegation of Ecuador, speaking on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), expressed support for the recommendations adopted by the Committee on a Protocol concerning Audiovisual Performances, as well as for the recommendations made by the Information Meeting on Intellectual Property in Databases. The Delegation, on behalf of the GRULAC, requested the new Director General to include in the 1998-99 program and budget the required financing for the participation of experts from GRULAC in regional consultation meetings and in meetings held at the international level on the issues of audiovisual performances and databases. It also stressed that, given the great interest that Latin American and Caribbean countries had in audiovisual performances and databases, the documentation should be provided in Spanish, and interpretation in Spanish should be provided as well.

204. The Delegation of the United States of America also supported the recommendations referred to in paragraph 3 of document WO/GA/XXI/10. On the issue of folklore, it stated that additional information would be needed to decide on future work, and that it looked forward with interest how that issue would be addressed in the Draft Program and Budget to be prepared by the new Director General.

205. The General Assembly of WIPO adopted the recommendations and proposals referred to in paragraph 3 of document WO/GA/XXI/10, and agreed that the issue of the protection of folklore should be addressed in the Draft Program and Budget for the 1998-99 biennium.

206. Discussions were based on document WO/GA/XXI/5.

207. The Delegation of the United States of America said that it was very pleased this summer to have had a very productive discussion on the question of promotion of information technologies, particularly in view of establishing within WIPO an appropriate structure to efficiently and effectively make use of information technology. The Delegation noted that, as a result of this very constructive discussion, there was a course of action that the Delegation considered would be very useful to pursue. The recommendation of the Working Group invited the incoming Director General to consult and produce recommendations on the direction to be taken, and the Delegation very strongly encouraged the adoption of this recommendation, so that work could be initiated in the near term on this very interesting area.

208. The Delegation of the Republic of Cuba expressed the importance that it attached to the development of information technology for industrial property, because of its importance in facilitating access to information by appropriate means in appropriate time. It considered that the recommendations of the Working Group were particularly important. These were well advanced, yet the Delegation stressed the need to take into account the needs of the developing countries in terms of information technologies. It is for this reason that it asked WIPO for financial support to enable the participation of representatives from those countries in the Working Group, especially when considering their degree of development, both in information technologies and in terms of human resources.

209. The Delegation of Germany asked the International Bureau whether it was really possible, by the end of January 1988, to submit a proposal of the kind requested from the International Bureau, including also cost estimates for a worldwide network connecting all the various offices interested in taking part, and whether the International Bureau would be in a position to develop certain ideas concerning the institutional structure, including whether it would be necessary to set up an Information Technologies Committee or whether it would be more useful to proceed building on the basis of the existing PCIPI structure.

210. The Delegation of Canada said that it appreciated the opportunity of addressing the topic of information technologies for intellectual property, because the Delegation considered that it was among the most important matters being discussed at this meeting. The Delegation acknowledged the excellent work accomplished by the Working Group on Information Technologies in its July meeting. Through its recognition of the many advantages that the application of information technologies could play in the operation of intellectual property offices, and through its understanding of the measures that would be required to reach a successful conclusion, the Working Group had taken a very useful first step and pointed out the right direction. The Delegation was convinced that the recommendations of the Working Group would gain widespread acceptance, so Canada had already committed resources to determine just how it could assist in the process of information gathering and analysis. This could take the form of a further, more detailed paper, as a follow-up to the paper submitted by Canada in June, or perhaps by means of a discussion forum on the Internet. In any event, the Delegation felt excited by the prospect of what was envisaged, and was enthusiastic to contribute in whatever way it could towards the progress of the program. For all of these reasons, the Delegation endorsed and expressed its full support for the conclusions and recommendations made by the Working Group in July 1997.

211. The Delegation of Kenya said that it was very pleased with the recommendations of the Working Group and supported them fully. In particular, it noted the recommendations contained in sections 3.c) and d) in the document, and was of the view that the new Director General should include consideration of these paragraphs when preparing his budget and when planning development cooperation for the next biennium.

212. The Delegation of Australia stated that it was very glad to see that Dr. Idris had put information technology as one of his priorities. The Delegation saw it as being centrally important to the development of a simpler international intellectual property system, with an international intellectual property network, while maintaining the sovereignty of individual countries. It therefore strongly supported the recommendations made by the Working Group.

213. The Delegation of Japan said that it also fully supported the recommendation on the Information Technologies Committee (ITC). In cooperation with the International Bureau, headed by its new Director General, Japan would contribute to the discussion, bringing its experience (including failures as well as successes) in the field of the automation of an industrial property system. The Delegation was willing to submit its specific proposal on the scope of activities to be taken by the ITC, and a so-called master plan for a long-term project to be carried out according to the level of development of industrial property offices in terms of automation and the use of information technology.

214. The Delegation of Chile stated that it was satisfied with the results which were achieved at the last meeting of the Working Group. It was particularly supportive of the idea of having a telecommunications network and information structure which would allow direct communication and exchange of information between all the intellectual property offices. In its opinion, this proposal meant projecting WIPO into the twenty-first century, putting it in the vanguard of the use of information technology within the United Nations system. The Delegation therefore supported the recommendations of the Working Group last May and was happy that the new incoming Director General had incorporated these subjects as a priority area for future work.

215. The Delegation of Sri Lanka, speaking on behalf of the Asian Group, extended its full support for the recommendations to the General Assembly made by the Working Group on Information Technologies.

216. The Delegation of Nigeria said that it supported the recommendations of the Working Group and the entire project. The Delegation sincerely believed that an information network linking member countries of WIPO, whether developed or developing countries, would provide a great boost to intellectual property management all over the world.

217. The Chair stated that, following a meeting between the Director General elect and other members of the International Bureau and the Group Coordinators, the Director General elect had put forward to the Group Coordinators an alternate method of proceeding to deal with the development of the substance of information technologies for intellectual property. The Director General elect's proposal was in fact an example of his stated intention, as outlined in his acceptance speech, of seizing opportunities to adapt the Organization's working methods and procedures to respond to the reality of today's world. Discussion of this agenda item was suspended so that the Director General elect's proposal could be discussed in groups.

218. Subsequent to the Director General elect's proposal and following discussions in Groups and among Group Coordinators, the Chair stated that it was agreed that paragraphs 5.b) and c) of document WO/GA/XXI/5 be replaced with the following:

"That the Director General elect be encouraged to undertake, according to his prerogative, whatever consultations with experts are necessary for him to develop an initial draft Chapter concerning Information Technologies for Intellectual Property for his draft Program and Budget;

"That the initial draft Chapter of the Director General elect be the subject of informal consultations by him early in 1998;

"That in carrying out such informal consultations the Director General elect take into account that, for developing countries to comment authoritatively on the initial draft Chapter, the traditional method of consultations through Geneva-based Permanent Mission representatives should be supplemented with an informal meeting in Geneva inviting experts, through the Permanent Missions, from the member States;

That the Director General elect take into account the reaction and advice gained during his informal consultations in finalizing his draft Chapter on Information Technologies for Intellectual Property for inclusion in his draft Program and Budget for presentation to the General Assembly as required by agenda item 6--(i.e. that part of agenda item 6 dealing with the program and budget for the 1998-99 biennium)."

219. The General Assembly decided to adopt the recommendations of the Working Group on Information Technologies for Intellectual Property contained in document WO/GA/XXI/5 but with the replacement text contained in the preceding paragraph.

220. The Delegation of Sri Lanka said that the Asian Group supported the position just adopted. The Delegation noted the reference in the decision to an informal meeting in Geneva inviting experts from the member States, and stated that, when inviting the member States, it was the expectation of the Asian Group that the Director General elect, in keeping with the past practice of the WIPO, would consider funding some experts from the Asian region.

221. The Delegation of Côte d'Ivoire, speaking on behalf of the African Group, offered its support to the proposal made by the Director General elect, and also offered its support to the proposal and request just put forward by the Delegation of Sri Lanka concerning the financing of experts from capitals.

222. The Delegation of France, speaking on behalf of Group B, indicated its support to the proposal from Dr. Idris and said that it was also prepared to go along with supporting the proposal from the Delegation of Sri Lanka.

223. Discussions were based on document WO/GA/XX1/9.

224. The Delegation of Ecuador, speaking on behalf of the Latin American and the Caribbean Group, emphasized the priority that should be attached by WIPO to Internet issues, and expressed support for the envisaged role of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. It requested that, given the complexity of the issues and the global impact of the Internet, WIPO make available financial support for the participation in any meetings dealing with those issues of experts from the Latin American and Caribbean region. The Delegation further requested that all documents relating to these activities be made available in the Spanish language and that interpretation into Spanish be provided at any meetings organized by WIPO in this area.

225. The Delegation of Côte d'Ivoire stated that, while the African Group had not yet had a full opportunity to discuss this item of the agenda because of the rapid progress that had been made on agenda items, it welcomed and supported WIPO's role in these activities. In view also of the complex nature of the issues involved in this area, the Delegation proposed that the financial support requested by the Delegation of Ecuador be extended also to experts from African countries.

226. The Delegation of Germany stated that it was perfectly satisfied with the contents of the Memorandum of the International Bureau and that it supported the approach of the International Bureau. By way of clarification, the Delegation noted that, while the newly proposed system for domain names culminating in the signing of the gTLD-MoU primarily reflected a private sector initiative, the necessity to safeguard intellectual property interests made it entirely appropriate for WIPO to participate in this process. This was particularly so in view of the very rapid pace at which the Internet was evolving. The Delegation clarified that WIPO was to provide its infrastructure for arbitration and mediation, which were procedures already offered by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, as well as for a new procedure, administrative domain name challenge. The Delegation stated that its support for WIPO's role in dispute-resolution procedures did not imply any approval on its part of the contents of the draft Substantive Guidelines Concerning Administrative Domain Name Challenge Panels.

227. The Delegation of Australia expressed its strong support for the envisaged role of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. It emphasized the considerable scope for trademark-related disputes in this area and the frequently international character of such disputes.

228. The Delegation of Egypt also expressed its support for the envisaged role of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center with regard to domain name disputes. The Delegation associated itself with the views of the Delegations of Ecuador and Côte d'Ivoire concerning financial support for the participation of experts from developing countries. It further expressed its hope that future information about these activities would be made available in the Arabic language.

229. The Delegation of the United States of America explained that its country had not taken a final position on the gTLD-MoU. While the Delegation stressed that it would like WIPO to continue its work in this area, it proposed, in order to avoid potential confusion, that the language of paragraph 16 of the International Bureau's Memorandum be reformulated as follows: "The WIPO General Assembly is invited to note the content of this Memorandum, and to note with approval the conclusions stated in paragraphs 13 through 15 of the Memorandum." With that reformulation made, the Delegation of the United States of America noted its approval of the conclusions in paragraphs 13 through 15.

230. The Delegation of Germany expressed its agreement with the reformulation of paragraph 16 suggested by the Delegation of the United States of America.

231. The Delegation of Sri Lanka expressed its support for the activities of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in this area and associated itself with the views of the Delegations of Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt concerning financial support for the participation of experts from developing countries.

232. The Delegation of Venezuela noted its support of the contents of the Memorandum of the International Bureau, and further emphasized the usefulness of the participation of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in relevant meetings on the subject.

233. The Delegation of France expressed its support for the envisaged services to be offered by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in this area. The Delegation further expressed its hope that the costs of establishing the on-line procedures would not be so high as to make the proposed dispute-resolution procedures too costly and thus not useful for users. The Delegation expressed its desire for copies of minutes of any meetings of the International Ad Hoc Committee attended by the International Bureau to be made available. It further expressed its wish that the dispute-resolution procedures to be administered by WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center be conducted with due respect to multilingualism.

234. The Director General elect stated that the positions expressed by the Coordinators of the African, Asian and Latin American and Caribbean Groups had been well noted and would be addressed in the Program and Budget to be proposed for the next biennium.

235. The WIPO General Assembly noted the contents of the Memorandum of the International Bureau (document WO/GA/XXI/9) and noted with approval the conclusions stated in paragraphs 13 through 15 of the Memorandum.

236. The Chair of the WIPO General Assembly made the following statement:

"Distinguished delegates will recall the ruling of the outgoing Chair that two items which had been notified to the International Bureau would be discussed at a later point on the agenda--one dealt with folklore and the other with issues raised by the United Kingdom. The General Assembly has dealt with folklore and I would now like to turn to what I will rule be Agenda item 22bis: The Policies and Practices for the Nomination and Appointment of a Director General.

"This issue has been the subject of extensive discussions within groups and among group coordinators and it is agreed that the following statement represents the consensus of the General Assembly:

WELCOMING the work successfully undertaken by the Coordination Committee to establish an ad hoc process for the nomination of the new Director General,

RECOGNIZING the need to establish standard policies and practices for such appointments in future,

NOTING the growing practice within the United Nations System, of defining the rules concerning the maximum successive mandates of an Executive Head,

REQUESTS the Coordination Committee to make recommendations to the General Assembly at its session in September 1998 on the policies and practices for the nomination and appointment of a Director General related to all the above paragraphs, and for this purpose invites the Coordination Committee to establish a Working Group."

237. The Delegation of Egypt stated it completely agreed that the statement in the preceding paragraph fully reflected its point of view. The Delegation congratulated the Chair, as well as the Chair of the Coordination Committee and all other delegations, on the untiring efforts made to reach that statement. The Delegation pointed out that an exceptional event had occurred during the present sessions of the Governing Bodies, namely, the appointment of Dr. Idris as the new Director General succeeding Dr. Bogsch. Dr. Idris was from the African continent and, like other Africans, would carry the torch of Africa in all international bodies. Dr. Bogsch has served the Organization excellently and untiringly for one quarter of a century. The Delegation addressed its heartiest congratulations to Dr. Idris and wished him every success, and expressed to Dr. Bogsch its thanks for his indefatigable efforts and wished Dr. Bogsch and his family all success in the future. The Delegation pointed out that a turning point had been reached in view of the explosion of new technologies and the pace of technological change, the result of which was the marginalization of the developing countries, especially the least developed countries. These events had led to challenges for the developing countries that had to be met. In the view of the Delegation, WIPO had to continue to help the developing countries to meet the challenges thrown up by new technologies so that they could shoulder their responsibilities in relation to the protection of intellectual property. WIPO should increase the resources made available for development cooperation. The Delegation congratulated Dr. Idris on the outline of his program for the 1998-99 biennium and expressed the hope that that program would be adopted. The Delegation is looking forward to the ideas and proposals of Dr. Idris on other points.

238. The Delegation of Mexico stated that it had noted the statement of the Chair in paragraph 236 and did not wish to speak further.

239. The Delegation of the United States of America acknowledged the consensus reached in the statement made by the Chair in paragraph 236, above. The Delegation stated that it wished to echo the statement of the Delegation of Egypt. The Delegation also stated that it wished to place on record how much the United States of America was pleased to have Dr. Idris at the helm of WIPO. Even though it was a sad farewell to Dr. Bogsch, the Delegation was extremely pleased to have someone as capable as Dr. Idris as Director General of WIPO. The Delegation noted that the acceptance speech of Dr. Idris had been extremely well received in Washington. The Delegation had also noted that Dr. Idris had already commenced to put elements off that acceptance speech into practice and looked forward to supporting Dr. Idris in the future.

240. The Director General elect made the following statement:

"I welcome the agreement reached by the member States on this point and I look forward to the deliberations and outcome of the discussions on the Policies and Practices for the Nomination and Appointment of a Director General.

"Independently of the positions that member States may have or develop on all these issues-I fully recognize that this is a decision of the member States-I should like to record publicly what I have on several occasions told many of you, that I am myself personally-personally-totally committed to the principle of limitation of mandates."

241. See the General Report (document AB/XXXI/12).

242. See the General Report (document AB/XXXI/12).

243. Consideration of this item was based on document WO/GA/XXI/6.

244. The WIPO General Assembly noted the information contained in document WO/GA/XXI/6, and approved the actions taken, or proposed to be taken, as stated in paragraph 32 of that document.