WIPO Director General Opens Inaugural Meeting of Policy Advisory Commission
Geneva, April 15, 1999
Press Releases PR/1999/165
The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, on Thursday called on a group of eminent personalities to present their views on ways the international intellectual property system can be better used to promote economic development and spur social and cultural well-being.
Opening the inaugural session of the Policy Advisory Commission (PAC), a purely advisory body composed of high-level and experienced policy-makers from the world of politics, diplomacy, law and public administration, Dr. Idris said that "on the eve of the 21st century, information and knowledge had emerged as a new factor of production that will soon rival the classical economic factors, such as land, labor and capital." In the new information age, protection of intellectual property assets is at the heart of spurring creativity and of transforming that creativity, knowledge and information into material and cultural wealth.
"The fundamental question that I place on the table today is how can we - as policy-makers, thinkers, individuals and international organizations - help to release the creative and inventive potential and channel that energy into tangible, sustainable development," Dr. Idris told the PAC.
The Director General said the international community faces several challenges with respect to intellectual property issues, not least the need to depoliticize the international debate on intellectual property "to prove that it is no longer a false issue of the have-nots against the haves." Also, he evoked the need to demystify intellectual property "so that policy-makers, leaders, consumers, tax-payers and the public at large will see it as deserving of respect and support as other traditional forms of property." Another critical question raised by the Director General is the need to assist developing countries and countries in transition "to unleash the creative and inventive potential of their peoples by canalizing that potential into commercially viable applications for the market place." He said it is necessary to enable these countries to use the intellectual property system to help them produce, trade and compete.
There is an urgency to address these issues in the light of statistics that show that of the 4.4 billion people in the developing world, one in three lacks safe drinking water, one in four lacks adequate housing, and one in five children do not reach the fifth grade, Dr. Idris underlined.
Dr. Idris called on the members of the Commission to offer their views on these issues and others relating to how WIPO, as guardian of global intellectual property legislation and harmonized practices, can keep pace with rapid technological changes so that developments like the Internet will not dislocate or undermine the international intellectual property superstructure.
"I look forward to hearing your views and advice. I have full confidence that they will, in full partnership with our Member States - the owners of this Organization, help us create the best possible environment for WIPO's continuing effectiveness and help put intellectual property in its rightful place in the economic, social and cultural landscape of the 21st century," he said before opening the general discussion.
The morning session was devoted to a series of presentations:
- "Critical Topics for Intellectual Property in the 21st Century" by Mr. Marino Porzio, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chile and former Deputy Director General of WIPO
- "Intellectual Property as a Tool for Development" by Mr. Bruce Lehman, President, International Intellectual Property Institute, Washington D.C. and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Patent and Trademark Office, US Department of Commerce
- "The Future Evolution of the International Legal Framework for Intellectual Property Protection" by Dr. Bojan Pretnar, Director, Slovenia Intellectual Property Office
- "The Future Role of WIPO in the International and United Nations Communities" by Mr. Mayar Gabay, First Vice President, UN Administrative Tribunal and Chairman, Patent and Copyright Laws Revision Committees, Ministry of Justice, Israel
- "A Draft Global Intellectual Property Charter" by Mr. Hiramitsu Arai, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Japan
The PAC members began informal discussions on the issues raised by the Director General and during the presentations. These focused on the critical role of intellectual property as a tool of economic development. Some members called for the establishment of a vision first and transforming that vision into tangible benefits to the individual, using intellectual property as a tool. The impact of globalization on intellectual property was discussed as well as the necessity to engage and integrate all interested parties, including the private sector and civil society.
Some members pointed out that often in developing countries it is not a lack of laws or regulations, but problems exist with respect to implementation. All members emphasized the critical need to implement public awareness, education and advocacy plans. It was felt that WIPO had an important global proactive role to play in respect of all the issues mentioned.
PAC members will resume their discussions in the afternoon, under the chairmanship of HRH Prince El-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan.
The Director General is confident that the PAC will assist the Organization in identifying a vision and policies to deal with new and emerging trends in intellectual property. Members of the Commission will offer their insights on the significance of placing intellectual property in a wider economic, social, and cultural context. Dr. Idris is committed to ensuring that intellectual property issues find their place at the forefront of national and international policy-making.
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