Four National NGOs Gain Observer Status at WIPO

Geneva, September 27, 2002
Press Releases PR/2002/328

For the first time, member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have admitted national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as permanent observers to the Organization, enabling them to fully participate in all substantive discussions at WIPO. The four NGOs that were admitted on Friday are: American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA, based in USA), Asociación Nacional de Intérpretes (ANDI, Mexico), Associação Brasileira de Emissoras de Rádio e Televisão (ABERT, Brazil), and Association Bouregreg (BOUREGREG, Morocco).

The Assemblies also admitted an additional intergovernmental organization, namely the South Centre, and three international NGOs, that is, Entidad de Gestión de Derechos de los Producctores Audiovisuales (EGEDA), International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity (CIDSE) and the International Federation of Wines and Spirits (FIVS).

Currently, 168 international NGOs and 63 IGOs are accredited as observers to WIPO. National NGOs have taken part in some technical meetings at WIPO in the past, but on an ad hoc basis only. This is the first time such organizations have been extended permanent observer status. Participation of national NGOs will further enhance the transparency and relevance of the Organization.

In requesting the secretariat to draw up guidelines for deciding on requests for observer status by national NGOs, the member states said participation of such organizations would enhance efforts to raise greater awareness and understanding of the activities and services of the Organization. Once an observer is admitted to the Organization, it is also invited to attend, in a similar capacity, meetings of committees, working groups, and other bodies subsidiary to the Assemblies, if their subject matter is of direct interest to that organization.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section, at

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