The New WIPO Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Treaty: A Symbolic and Modest Step toward an Inclusive and Just IP System
The New WIPO Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Treaty: A Symbolic and Modest Step toward an Inclusive and Just IP System

Over two decades of negotiations have climaxed in the birth of a new treaty in the early hours of May 24, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland at the WIPO 2024 Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.

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Blog PostChidi OguamanamDiplomacy, Diplomatic Conference, Genetic Resources, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, Treaty, WIPO General Assembly, WIPO IGC, NCAI, NARF, FPIC, National Congress of American Indians
WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge: Slow Progress, Hopeful Outlook
WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge: Slow Progress, Hopeful Outlook

The WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources (GRs) and Associated Traditional Knowledge (ATK) is now on its second week (since May 13, 2024). We are pleased to provide an update in continuation of our first report.

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Blog PostChidi OguamanamDiplomacy, Diplomatic Conference, Genetic Resources, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, Treaty, WIPO General Assembly, WIPO IGC, NCAI, NARF, FPIC, National Congress of American Indians
WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge: Delegates Set a Positive Tone in the Early Days
WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge: Delegates Set a Positive Tone in the Early Days

The first two days of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge kicked off on a generally positive note.

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Blog PostChidi OguamanamDiplomacy, Diplomatic Conference, Genetic Resources, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, Treaty, WIPO General Assembly, WIPO IGC, NCAI, NARF, FPIC, National Congress of American Indians
The Significance of the WIPO 2024 Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge: Ten Major Issues
The Significance of the WIPO 2024 Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge: Ten Major Issues

As experts and top diplomats count down to the WIPO Diplomatic Conference in Geneva, Switzerland (May 13-24, 2024) in a final push to birth a treaty on Genetic Resources (GRs) and Associated Traditional Knowledge (ATK), we at Access and Benefit Sharing Canada reflect on the anticipated outcome of the historic meeting, tampering expectations and offering some clarification.

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Blog PostChidi OguamanamDiplomacy, Diplomatic Conference, Genetic Resources, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, Treaty, WIPO General Assembly, WIPO IGC, NCAI, NARF, FPIC, National Congress of American Indians
Ahead of WIPO Diplomatic Conference, Native Americans revisit the importance of collaboration, co-operation and ‘FPIC’
Ahead of WIPO Diplomatic Conference, Native Americans revisit the importance of collaboration, co-operation and ‘FPIC’

With the WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge approaching, the National Congress of American Indians is prepared to advance its position so that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and interests are included in the final stages of negotiations.

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Blog PostChidi OguamanamDiplomacy, Diplomatic Conference, Genetic Resources, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, Treaty, WIPO General Assembly, WIPO IGC, NCAI, NARF, FPIC, National Congress of American Indians
Reconciliation: Legal Education and the Legal Profession – University of Ottawa’s Emerging Response to Call to Action #28
Reconciliation: Legal Education and the Legal Profession – University of Ottawa’s Emerging Response to Call to Action #28

Prior to European contact, Indigenous Peoples of what later became Canada lived in communities with a diversity of political systems, legal traditions, and laws. These Indigenous legal orders guided how First Nations conducted commerce, maintained peace, and negotiated treaties. Recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada, these traditions have become a part of the Canadian legal landscape.

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Blog PostChidi OguamanamIndigenous, Canada, Traditional Knowledge, access and benefit sharing, consultation, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Reconciliation, University of Ottawa
The 46th IGC, the 2024 Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources: Uncertain Times Ahead Chidi Oguamanam
The 46th IGC, the 2024 Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources: Uncertain Times Ahead Chidi Oguamanam

Between February 27 and March 3, 2023, delegates and experts are reconvening in Geneva for the 46th session of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC 46). The IGC 46 is the penultimate of four sessions exclusively dedicated to “undertake[ing] negotiations on TK and/or TCEs with a focus on addressing unresolved and cross-cutting issues and considering options for a draft legal instrument(s)”. Earlier negotiations on the TK/TCEs text were undertaken pursuant to IGC 44 and 45, and will be further explored finally in the 2022-2023 biennium at the IGC 47 slated for June/July 2023. IGC 47 will also include stocktaking and making recommendations on the subject of TK/TCEs for the 64th WIPO General Assembly in October 2023.

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Blog PostChidi OguamanamGenetic Resources, Research Ethics, Traditional Knowledge, access and benefit sharing, IP and Knowledge Governance, IGC 43, WIPO, United Nations, Geneva, United States, Lilyclaire Bellamy, Chamber of Commerce, IGC 46
WIPO-IGC 45: Bold and Strategic Moves Toward TK and TCE Text(s)
WIPO-IGC 45: Bold and Strategic Moves Toward TK and TCE Text(s)

Buoyed by the July 2022 WIPO 62nd General Assembly decision that endorsed a Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources (GR) and Associated Traditional Knowledge, delegates to the 45th Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) continued negotiations on the TK and TCEs texts. On December 5-9, 2022, negotiations on the two subject matters continued from the September 12-16, 2022 44th IGC. It is second of the series of negotiations to focus on TK/TCEs. At the 44th IGC, delegates took unofficial notice of the new Chair’s, Ms. Lillyclair Bellamy (Jamaica), determination to take a cue from the immediate past Chair, Ian Goss (Australia) to generate a Chair’s TK/TCE text to advance progress on TK/TCE negotiations. This decision, which did not come as surprise to delegates, has potential to replicate Goss’ experience of the Chair’s GR text based on which the 2024 Diplomatic Conference is being convened.

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Blog PostChidi OguamanamGenetic Resources, Research Ethics, Traditional Knowledge, access and benefit sharing, IP and Knowledge Governance, IGC 43, WIPO, United Nations, Ukraine, Geneva