Decision of UN Sanctions Committee on WIPO’s Technical Assistance to DPRK

Geneva, September 24, 2012
PR/2012/720

The United Nations (UN) committee charged with overseeing implementation of Security Council resolutions relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has confirmed that WIPO technical assistance to DPRK does not violate United Nations resolutions.

In a letter to WIPO Director General Francis Gurry , the Chairman of the Committee José Filipe Moraes Cabral, said “I wish to convey the Committee’s understanding that nothing in the Security Council Resolutions 1695 (2006), 1718 (2006), and 1874 (2009) prohibits the technical assistance program that WIPO has carried out in the DPRK, including the transfer of those items cited in your letters or its attachments related to the transfer of equipment and software aimed at assisting the DPRK in developing technical capacity for intellectual property rights protection. Likewise, the Committee does not consider the second phase of technical advice and assistance with the configuration of the equipment and database software that will be provided to the DPRK to be prohibited.”

The letter also advises early consultation with the Committee. WIPO has already put in place measures to ensure that all managers must refer to WIPO’s Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC) for guidance and clearance any activity proposed in a country subject to UN sanctions.  OLC will, wherever necessary, consult the appropriate UN sanctions committee.