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International intellectual property law has long been shaped by a conflict of agendas between the world’s richest and developing countries. Although the agenda is often set and dominated by developed countries, key aspects of the global normative environment have been led by the global south. The WIPO Development Agenda, established in 2007, framed the balance of interests needed to integrate development considerations into WIPO’s work to ensure that intellectual property systems support the broader goals of social, economic, and cultural development. While some progress has been made, many have argued that the WIPO Development Agenda and its 45 Recommendations continue to fall short in actively mainstreaming development across WIPO’s norm-setting agenda and its committees, including in the IGC, CDIP and SCCR. In recent years, there has been a considerable demonstration of the power of developing countries to shape the agenda and the outcomes of international intellectual property law. This was, for example, demonstrated in the adoption of the historic Treaty on IP and GRATK, as well as in the significant changes made to the basic instrument on the Design Law Treaty to make it more flexible and protective of the public interest. In this context, this meeting seeks to begin the new year with deliberation on shared goals and dedication to strategies to achieve them that can continue the positive momentum and influence of like minded countries of the global south leading up to the 66th WIPO General Assemblies, to be held in July 2025. 

Objective

The meeting will provide an off-the-record forum to discuss and reach a common understanding on appropriate strategies and plans of action, including research and technical assistance needs, for priority committee meetings of the World Intellectual Property Organization leading up to the General Assembly, July 2025.