In a landmark development today, WIPO member states approved a groundbreaking new Treaty related to intellectual property (IP), genetic resources, and associated traditional knowledge. This historic breakthrough marks the culmination of decades of negotiations, setting a new precedent in the field of international IP law.
Last week, the School of Law’s Professor Abbe Brown had the honour of being part of the IUCN delegation at the WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in Geneva.
In addition to her participation in the official conference sessions, Professor Brown organised an informal gathering to explore innovative approaches to ocean and marine genetic resources, digital sequence information, and the interconnections across various international instruments - now and in the future. This event sparked vibrant discussions and drew participation from a diverse array of country delegates (all speaking in a personal capacity), as well as representatives from international organisations, NGOs, industry, and academia.
This initiative is a significant part of Professor Brown’s ongoing work with the MARBLES and Blueremediomics research projects, which aim to advance understanding and policy development in these crucial areas. The insights gained from these discussions are expected to contribute to the future direction of international policies on genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
With the approval of this new Treaty, the conference has achieved a significant milestone, paving the way for enhanced protection and equitable use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge worldwide.
