Geneva
October 9, 2012
Thank you, Mr. Chairman
First, on behalf of Group B, let me express my sincere thanks and admiration for your stewardship in guiding this session of the General Assembly to a consensus-based, successful outcome.
Group B also thanks all delegations for the constructive spirit displayed during this session. We also wish to thank the Director General and his Senior Management Team for their leadership over the course of the Assemblies and the past year. Last, but certainly not least, Group B thanks the staff of the International Bureau, including the interpreters, for their hard work.
Group B welcomed the decision to progress work on a draft legal instrument on exceptions and limitations for persons with visual impairment and/or print disabilities, through the convening of an inter-sessional meeting of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) and an extraordinary session of the General Assemblies toward a positive end.. Group B remains committed to the resolution of outstanding issues in order to reach agreement on this important issue. Group B also supports the work on providing protections for broadcasting organizations.
Group B is pleased with the decision reached yesterday to accelerate the work on the Design Law Treaty in the Standing Committee on Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT), and to set the goal of deciding on convening a diplomatic conference at the General Assembly in 2013. Group B believes this treaty will benefit all users, particularly those in developing countries and LDCs. With this in mind, Group B reiterates its readiness to address the need for technical assistance and capacity building for the implementation of the Design Law Treaty. Chair, Group B thanks you for your tireless efforts in leading the informal consultations yesterday.
Group B is also pleased with the outcome on future work of the Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC). We stand ready to constructively engage with our partners on the three texts over the course of the next year. Group B also wishes to extend its gratitude to Ambassador Wayne McCook, the chair of the IGC, for leading the consultations on future work and for his exemplary service in this year’s IGC sessions.
Let me assure you, Mr. Chairman, that Group B will remain, as in the past, an active and constructive participant in the years to come. We are committed to helping strengthen WIPO’s position as the preeminent intellectual property organization. WIPO has a vital and unique role to play in promoting innovation, in helping countries improve their intellectual property systems, and in promoting intellectual property as a tool for economic development.
Thank you.