WIPO Director General underlines role of IP in Mitigating Climate Change

Geneva, September 4, 2009
PR/2009/601

WIPO Director General Francis Gurry welcomed on Friday the adoption of the Global Framework for Climate Services to strengthen production, availability, delivery and application of science-based climate predictions, information and services and underscored the contribution that intellectual property can make in mitigating the climate change. 

Speaking at the Third World Climate Conference (WCC-3), in Geneva from 31 August to 4 September hosted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Mr. Gurry said WIPO is committed to building broader understanding of the important contribution that intellectual property can make in generating and disseminating technological solutions to address the multi-facetted challenges that climate change presents. He said that policies that stimulate the creation and diffusion of technology are directly relevant to an effective response to the challenges of climate change. 

The Director General said that the Framework is an innovative response to the urgent need for better climate forecasts to better anticipate and manage weather-related risks.  He said that it was a powerful example of what could be achieved through collective commitment and action.  

WCC-3 is the third in a series of preparatory meetings taking place in the run up to United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009 on a new global climate treaty.

Related Links

• http://www.sealthedeal2009.org/watch?view=videos&videoid=70