WIPO Nigeria Office Roundtable Discussion Propels Discourse Among Experts, IP Offices and Other Stakeholders on the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
August 16, 2024
WIPO Nigeria Office Roundtable Discussion Propels Discourse Among Experts, IP Offices and Other Stakeholders on the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
Following the adoption of the new WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge earlier this year, the WIPO Nigeria Office held a roundtable discussion with knowledge experts, representatives of the IP Offices and other stakeholders on August 14, 2024. The event marked a significant step in propelling engagement among Intellectual Property stakeholders in Nigeria on the historic treaty and its applications in the Nigerian context.
During his remarks, Director of the Traditional Knowledge Division, WIPO, Wend Wendland, , gave a historical perspective to the Treaty, beginning with a retrospective on the Diplomatic Conference in May and the process by which the Treaty came to be. He also reflected on the next steps ahead of the Treaty, including issues such as domestication in national law, giving effect to the roles of indigenous peoples and local communities, and the continuation of the other two thematic areas of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) negotiations.
"The Treaty is clearly of immense political and symbolic importance, given the long and winding road it took to get here. The Treaty is also of practical importance, but the Treaty has to come in force for the practicality and practical benefits to become apparent."
Wend Wendland
Chidi Oguamanam, professor of Law at the University of Ottawa and member of the Nigerian Delegation to the negotiations, gave a detailed overview of the key elements of the reaty and the issues it addresses. Speaking on the implementation of the Treaty in the Nigerian context, he explored opportunities around the harmonization of the Nigerian Intellectual Property offices, as well the mainstreaming of indigenous knowledge across relevant sectors. In maximizing the gains of the Treaty, he emphasized the need for coordination and synergies across the diverse stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Treaty’s provisions.
"We’re dealing with biotechnology, digital technology, digital sequencing, genetic sequence information, artificial intelligence, data and data governance, and in all of this you see how, Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities and Traditional Knowledge are caught in between. On the other side, you see states, governments, industries, corporations, researchers. It is an important part of the conversation to see why all of these agencies have to come together…"
Chidi OguamanamThe event was attended by over 134 participants, including representatives from the Patents and Designs Registry, the Trademarks Registry, the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the National Plants Variety Protection Office, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Biotechnology Development Agency, the National Office for Trade Negotiations, the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Justice as well as members of the legal and academic communities. The participants enthusiastically engaged in the conversation, expressing concerns and recommendations as well as keen appreciation for the crucial discussion at this time.
