About Intellectual Property IP Training IP Outreach IP for… IP and... IP in... Patent & Technology Information Trademark Information Industrial Design Information Geographical Indication Information Plant Variety Information (UPOV) IP Laws, Treaties & Judgements IP Resources IP Reports Patent Protection Trademark Protection Industrial Design Protection Geographical Indication Protection Plant Variety Protection (UPOV) IP Dispute Resolution IP Office Business Solutions Paying for IP Services Negotiation & Decision-Making Development Cooperation Innovation Support Public-Private Partnerships The Organization Working with WIPO Accountability Patents Trademarks Industrial Designs Geographical Indications Copyright Trade Secrets WIPO Academy Workshops & Seminars World IP Day WIPO Magazine Raising Awareness Case Studies & Success Stories IP News WIPO Awards Business Universities Indigenous Peoples Judiciaries Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions Economics Gender Equality Global Health Climate Change Competition Policy Sustainable Development Goals Enforcement Frontier Technologies Mobile Applications Sports Tourism PATENTSCOPE Patent Analytics International Patent Classification ARDI – Research for Innovation ASPI – Specialized Patent Information Global Brand Database Madrid Monitor Article 6ter Express Database Nice Classification Vienna Classification Global Design Database International Designs Bulletin Hague Express Database Locarno Classification Lisbon Express Database Global Brand Database for GIs PLUTO Plant Variety Database GENIE Database WIPO-Administered Treaties WIPO Lex - IP Laws, Treaties & Judgments WIPO Standards IP Statistics WIPO Pearl (Terminology) WIPO Publications Country IP Profiles WIPO Knowledge Center WIPO Technology Trends Global Innovation Index World Intellectual Property Report PCT – The International Patent System ePCT Budapest – The International Microorganism Deposit System Madrid – The International Trademark System eMadrid Article 6ter (armorial bearings, flags, state emblems) Hague – The International Design System eHague Lisbon – The International System of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications eLisbon UPOV PRISMA Mediation Arbitration Expert Determination Domain Name Disputes Centralized Access to Search and Examination (CASE) Digital Access Service (DAS) WIPO Pay Current Account at WIPO WIPO Assemblies Standing Committees Calendar of Meetings WIPO Official Documents Development Agenda Technical Assistance IP Training Institutions COVID-19 Support National IP Strategies Policy & Legislative Advice Cooperation Hub Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) Technology Transfer Inventor Assistance Program WIPO GREEN WIPO's Pat-INFORMED Accessible Books Consortium WIPO for Creators WIPO ALERT Member States Observers Director General Activities by Unit External Offices Job Vacancies Procurement Results & Budget Financial Reporting Oversight

Participating in the IGC

Participation in the IGC is open to WIPO member states and accredited inter-governmental (IGO) and non-governmental (NGO) organizations.

  • List of accredited organizations PDF, list of IGC observers

Quick links

Accreditation

Decisions on accreditation are made by the WIPO member states at the beginning of each session of the IGC. Organizations requesting to be accredited as an observer at the IGC should complete the accreditation form Accreditation form, Pdf doc and submit it to WIPO at least 60 days prior to each session of the IGC.

  • Frequently Asked Questions – Accreditation to the IGC PDF, FAQ on IGC accreditation

WIPO Voluntary Fund

The WIPO Voluntary Fund facilitates the participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the IGC. Accredited observers which are representatives of local or indigenous communities may apply for financial support for participation in IGC sessions and meetings of the Intersessional Working Groups (IWGs). The rules PDF, Rules of the Voluntary Fund of the Voluntary Fund are adopted by the WIPO General Assembly.

The extent of support that the Voluntary Fund can provide depends on donations. Potential donors are encouraged to contact WIPO for further information. Even modest contributions will contribute to the success of the Fund.

Applicants for funding of their participation in the 51th Session of the IGC (May 30 – June 5, 2025) must complete the following application form and send them to WIPO before January 3, 2025 PDF, Voluntary Fund Questions and Answers  PDF, Voluntary Fund Questions and Answers

Voluntary Fund questions and answers PDF, Voluntary Fund Questions and Answers

Testimonials from beneficiaries of the WIPO Voluntary Fund

Patricia Adjei
Indigenous representative from Australia
Dietrix Jon Ulukoa Duhaylonsod
Indigenous representative from the United States of America
Lucia Fernanda Inácio Belfort Sales
Indigenous representative from Brazil

Observer submissions

Accredited observers may submit to WIPO (via e-mail to grtkf@wipo.int) comments, technical papers, national experiences and other documents relevant to the issues being discussed under the IGC. These documents are published on the observer submissions web page.