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Observers' Comments and Experiences

Accredited observers’ comments, technical papers, national experiences and other documents relevant to the issues being discussed under the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC).

Note: These documents are posted online in the form and in the languages in which they are received. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the World Intellectual Property Organization or its member states.

 

2016

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
Asociación Kunas Unidos por Napguana (KUNA)
  • Protocolos Comunitarios Protegiendo los Conocimientos Ancestrales del Pueblo KUNA PDF, Protocolos Comunitarios Protegiendo los Conocimientos Ancestrales del Pueblo KUNA

2012

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
Comisión Jurídica para el Autodesarrollo de los Pueblos Originarios Andinos (CAPAJ)
  • Document presented by CAPAJ for consideration by the XXII session of the IGC PDF, Document presented by CAPAJ for consideration by the XXII session of the IGC
  • Documento presentado por “CAPAJ” para ser considerado en la XXII sesion del “CIG” PDF, Document presented by CAPAJ for consideration by the XXII session of the IGC
Indian Movement “Tupaj Amaru
  • Proposals, substantive contributions and amendments relevant to the draft Articles on Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) PDF, Tupaj Amaru, Proposals, substantive contributions and amendments relevant to the draft Articles on Traditional Cultural Expressions
  • Resolución 1 PDF, Tupaj Amaru, Resolution 1, in Spanish
  • Resolución 2 PDF, Tupaj Amaru, Resolution 1, in Spanish

2007

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
Asociación Latinoamericana de Integración (ALADI)
  • Informe final del foro regional ALADI/OMPI sobre Protección de los conocimientos tradicionales, las expresiones culturales tradicionales (Folclore) y los recursos genéticos conexos. Perspectivas para la cooperación regional PDF, Informe final del foro regional ALADI/OMPI sobre Protección de los conocimientos tradicionales, in Spanish
  • Annex PDF, Anexo al Informe final del foro regional ALADI/OMPI sobre Protección de los conocimientos tradicionales, in Spanish
Brazilian Indigenous Institute for Intellectual Property (INBRAPI)
  • Carta de la sociedad sobre consulta al proyecto de ley de acceso a recursos genéticos y conocimientos tradicionales asociados PDF, INBRAPI, Carta de la sociedad sobre consulta al proyecto de ley de acceso a recursos genéticos y conocimientos tradicionales, in Spanish
  • Declaración del RIO NIGRO a cerca de la consulta pública de proyecto del leye sobre aceso y protección a los conocimientos tradicionales de los pueblos indígenas PDF, INBRAPI, Declaración del RIO NIGRO a cerca de la consulta pública  de proyecto del leye sobre aceso y protección a los conocimientos  tradicionales de los pueblos indígenas, in Spanish
Consejo Indio de Sud América (CISA) Submission to the WIPO IGC, Eleventh Session (July 3-7, 2007) PDF, CISA, Submission to the WIPO IGC, Eleventh Session
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) The gap between Indigenous Peoples' Demands and WIPO's Framework on Traditional Kwowledge PDF, CIEL, The gap between Indigenous Peoples' Demands and WIPO's Framework on Traditional Kwowledge

2006

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
Aldet Centre - Saint Lucia
  • Report by the Indigenous People (Bethechilokono) of Saint Lucia Governing Council (BCG) of the Tenth Session of the WIPO IGC (Geneva, November 30 to December 8, 2006) PDF, Aldet Centre, Report by the Indigenous People (Bethechilokono) of Saint Lucia Governing Council
  • Report on the BGC participation of the Tenth Session of WIPO/GRTKF/IC (Geneva, November 30 to December 8, 2006) - Covering letter PDF, Report on the BGC participation of the Tenth Session of WIPO/GRTKF/IC - Covering letter

2005

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Protecting Community Rights over Traditional Knowledge: Implications of Customary Laws and Practices PDF, IIED, Protecting Community Rights over Traditional Knowledge: Implications of Customary Laws and Practices

2004

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) Statement made by Ambassador Dr. Wafik Z. Kamil, Secretary-General of AALCO in the WIPO IGC (Geneva, March 15 to 19, 2004) PDF, AALCO, Statement made by Ambassador Dr. Wafik Z. Kamil to the WIPO IGC
Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Call of the Earth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Commission (ATSIC), Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action (FAIRA), Canadian Biodiversity Network, Coordinating Body of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA), Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Rekohu, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Creators Rights Alliance, the Kaska Dena Council, the Saami Council and the International Indian Treaty Council Submission to the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC, March 15 to 19, 2004, on “Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions and Genetic Resources: The International Dimension” PDF, Submission to the Sixth Session of the  WIPO IGC
Berne Declaration
  • Improving the Legal Position of Stakeholders of Bioresources in the Statutory Law of developed industrial Countries PDF, Berne Declaration, Improving the Legal Position of Stakeholders of Bioresources in the Statutory Law of developed industrial Countries
  • Disclosure of Origin - The proposals at the national level in Switzerland PDF, Berne Declaration, Disclosure of Origin - The  proposals at the national level in Switzerland
Call of the Earth
  • Statement at the Fifth Session of the WIPO IGC PDF, Call of the Earth, Statement at the Fifth Session of the WIPO IGC
  • Statement on WIPO document WIPO/GRTKF/IC/5/11 "Participation of Indigenous and Local Communities" PDF, Call of the Earth, Statement on WIPO document WIPO/GRTKF/IC/5/11
GRAIN “The great protection racket: Imposing IPRs on traditional knowledge”, Seedling, January 2004 PDF, GRAIN, The great protection racket: Imposing IPRs on traditional knowledge”, Seedling
Health and Environment Program
  • Déclaration de Health and Environment Program au WIPO IGC - le 17 mars 2004 PDF, Health and Environment Program, Déclaration de Health and Environment Program au WIPO IGC
  • Déclaration de Health and Environment Program au WIPO IGC - le 16 mars 2004 PDF, Health and Environment Program, Déclaration de Health and Environment Program au WIPO IGC
International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFFRO) Intervention of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFFRO) - Veronica Williams (Secretary General) on the occasion of the IGC - 15-19, 2004 PDF, IFFRO, Intervention to WIPO IGC
International Plant and Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) Invention, WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore PDF, IPGRI, Invention, WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore
International Publishers Association (IPA) IPA Intervention for the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC (March 16, 2004) PDF, IPA Intervention for the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC
Kaska Dena Council (KDC)
  • Statement at the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC PDF, Kaska Dena Council,  Statement at the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC
  • Statement on WIPO document WIPO/GRTKF/IC/6/4 entitled “Traditional Knowledge: Policy and Legal Options” PDF, Kaska Dena Council,  Statement on WIPO  document WIPO/GRTKF/IC/6/4
  • Statement at the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC on WIPO documents WIPO/GRTKF/IC/6/6 and WIPO/GRTKF/IC/6/12 regarding a Prospective International Regime PDF, Kaska Dena Council,  Statement at the Sixth  Session of the WIPO IGC on WIPO documents WIPO/GRTKF/IC/6/6 and WIPO/GRTKF/IC/6/12
Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) OIC-IRCICA Activities in the field of Traditional Arts, Crafts and Heritage PDF, IPGRI, OIC-IRCICA Activities in the field of Traditional Arts, Crafts and Heritage
Saami Council
  • Statement at the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC on Agenda Item 5, Traditional Cultural Expressions PDF, Saami Council,  Statement at the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC on Traditional Cultural Expressions
  • Statement at the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC on Agenda Item 6, Traditional Knowledge PDF, Saami Council,  Statement at the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC on Traditional Knowledge
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) WIPO IGC, Sixth Session (March 15-19, 2004). Statement by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity PDF, SCBD,  Statement by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity to the IGC
Tebtebba Foundation Statement to the 5th session of the WIPO IGC PDF, Tebtebba Foundation,  Statement to the 5th session of the WIPO IGC
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Statement by Dr. Sophia Twarog at the Sixth Session of the WIPO IGC. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development PDF, UNCTAD, Statement by Dr. Sophia Twarog at the Sixth Session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore

2003

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) WIPO/South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Expert Workshop on Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources: Summary of Discussions and Consultations PDF, SAARC,  Expert Workshop on Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources: Summary of Discussions and Consultations
South Centre A Review of the Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore at WIPO PDF, South Centre,  A Review of the Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore at WIPO
Tulalip Tribes of Washington Statement by the Tulalip Tribes of Washington on Folklore, Indigenous Knowledge, and the Public Domain PDF, Statement by the Tulalip Tribes of Washington on Folklore, Indigenous Knowledge, and the Public Domain
WIPO African Group Contribution Development of an International Instrument for Protection of Traditional Knowledge Folklore & IP Aspects of Genetic Resources: Possible Principles and Elements For Protection of Folklore/Traditional Cultural Expressions PDF, WIPO African Group Contribution, Development of an International Instrument for Protection of Traditional Knowledge Folklore & IP Aspects of Genetic Resources: Possible Principles and Elements For Protection of Folklore/Traditional Cultural Expressions

2002

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
American Folklore Society (AFS) American Folklore Society Statement to the WIPO IGC PDF, American Folklore Society Statement to the WIPO IGC

2001

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
International Chamber of Commerce
  • Protecting traditional knowledge - Commission on Intellectual and Industrial Property (December 3, 2001) PDF, ICC, Protecting traditional knowledge - Commission on Intellectual and Industrial Property
  • Discussion Paper - Access and Benefit-Sharing for Genetic Resources PDF, ICC, Discussion Paper - Access and Benefit-Sharing for Genetic Resources
  • Policy statement - Trips and the Biodiversity Convention: What Conflict? PDF, ICC, Policy statement - Trips and the Biodiversity Convention
Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association
  • Inuit Women's Traditional Knowledge Workshop on the Amauti and Intellectual Property Rights. Final Report. (Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, May 24 to 27, 2001) PDF, Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association, Inuit Women's Traditional Knowledge Workshop on the Amauti and Intellectual Property Rights, Final Statement
  • Intellectual Property Rights and the Inuit Amauti. A Case Study prepared for The World Summit on Sustainable Development PDF, Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association, Intellectual Property Rights and the Inuit Amauti. A Case Study

1997

Submitting Observer(s)Document(s)
Consejo Indio de Sud América (CISA) Submission to the Third Session of the Intersessional Working Group (October 27 to November 7, 1997) PDF, Submission to the Third Session of the Intersessional Working Group