All Publications

The 46th IGC, the 2024 Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources: Uncertain Times Ahead Chidi Oguamanam

Delegates and experts reconvened 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).

WIPO-IGC 45: Bold and Strategic Moves Toward TK and TCE Text(s)

Delegates to the 45th Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) continued negotiations on Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions.

Event Announcement: The Rise of the Bioeconomy and the Urgency for Strategic Repositioning and Solidarity of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Professor Chidi Oguamanam will be delivering a guest lecture on the bioeconomy and opportunities for Indigenous and local peoples on November 9th.

OtherGuest UserNovember 4, 2022Biotechnology, Indigenous, India, Bioeconomy

Reflections In Truth and In Reconciliation

Professor Chidi Oguamanam has authored a poem in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Guest UserSeptember 30, 2022Indigenous, Orange Shirt Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Reconciliation

Call for Papers: Special Guest-Edited Volume on Indigenous Knowledge and Bio-Innovation: Navigating Equitable Knowledge and Data Governance in the Bioeconomy

For a Special Edition of the African Journal of Legal Studies (AJLS), Professor Chidi Oguamanam is acting as a guest editor in his capacity as Research Chair at the University of Ottawa.

OtherGuest UserSeptember 7, 2022Biotechnology, AJIL, Agriculture and Biodiversity

ABS Canada's Professor Chidi Oguamanam awarded University Research Chair in Sustainable Bio-Innovation, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Global Knowledge Governance

Professor Chidi Oguamanam has been named to the University of Ottawa's University Research Chair in Sustainable Bio-Innovation, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Global Knowledge Governance. Research Chairs represent the University's top researchers and recognize their outstanding and important accomplishments.

WIPO-IGC 43: Logjam Over Two Genetic Resources Texts

Delegates met at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva to resume the second round of negotiations for the 2022-23 biennium of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (WIPO-IGC).

Re-Making the Landscape for Indigenous Research in Truth and Reconciliation

Indigenous peoples and many other local and marginalized communities have been proverbial guinea pigs for researchers, being ‘used’ as research subjects whose rights were abused without consequences.

The Muskrat Falls Fiasco: Indigenous Exclusion in Natural Resource Projects and the ABS Imperative

On February 14th 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey announced the signing of term sheets for a $1-billion federal investment and a $1-billion federal loan guarantee for the Muskrat Falls Project.

At Resumed ‘Post-Pandemic’ IGC Negotiations, Change in Committee Leadership Leaves Delegates Between Two Genetic Resources Texts

Delegates met at the World Intellectual Property Organization to resume the first round of negotiations for the 2022-23 biennium of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC).

Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples: Disproportionate Impact and Opportunities for Inclusion

Indigenous peoples and Indigenous traditional knowledge may hold part of the important keys to fighting climate change for the benefit of the planet.

Access to Covid-19 Vaccines: the Patent Freeze Proposal and a New Global Strategy

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently confirmed that Canada is involved in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) exploration of the Indian and South African proposal to waive intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines.

Access and Benefit Sharing in Canada – Stunted Efforts, New Opportunities

Canada lacks a comprehensive federal Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) system for governing genetic resources and the associated traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples, despite years of advocacy.

How African Knowledge-Based Enterprises Seek Scale: Research Findings From 10 Countries

The Open AIR network has collected data in numerous African innovation settings over the past decade, and has developed a four-pillar taxonomy of scaling practices.

Op-EdChidi OguamanamMarch 31, 2021Innovation, OpenAIR, Africa, Scaling, Sustainability, IP and Knowledge Governance

An African Champion on the Global Stage: Openness, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Nollywood

Read about how Nollywood’s persistent openness has contributed to its success at local, national, continental and global levels.

Op-EdChidi OguamanamMarch 31, 2021Nigeria, Nollywood, Innovation, IP and Knowledge Governance

Covid-19 Digital Health Innovations: The African Context

“Dealing with health and economic challenges of COVID-19 has made one point abundantly clear for African countries – that we need broadband, faster, cheaper and expanded to the last mile of the populations.”

Vaccine certificates should not come at expense of other COVID priorities

Feb. 21, 2021: Israel introduced “green passes” – evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or presumed immunity after recovery from the disease. This certificate is also known as an immunity passport.

Canada: Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy Among Indigenous Peoples

Medical racism against Indigenous peoples is a fact in the Canadian healthcare system. As a result of this experience, many Indigenous peoples lack trust in the healthcare system, and they limit their engagement as much as possible.