PowerPoint-Pr

1
Trade and Technology Transfer Working Group
Session
2
Major issues

• The International Centre for Genetic
  Engineering and Biotechnology is dedicated to RD
  and technology transfer to the developing world
• There is an urgent need for the development of
  a new IPR culture in the field of life sciences
• Expanded reach of the WTO in mandate and
  membership has significant implications for
  technological transfer and trade
• Suspension of the Doha Development Agenda

3
Specific trends

• Increasing role of select developing countries
  in the innovation and production of advanced
  technologies (Cuba, India, South Africa,
  Brazil.)
• Open source, open access technologies in ICT
  and possible lessons learnt
• Upsurge in international trade in services and
  the profound implications on technology transfer

4
Challenges and opportunities

• Ethical issues in relation to IPR protection
  for sensitive products (e.g. life saving drugs)
• Shift in the process of North - South dialogue
  (e.g. Doha Development Agenda)
• Suspension of DDA opportunity for
  re-evaluation and development of new proposals
• Discrimination between real scientific
  objections and protectionism

5
Role of UNU and UNESCO

• Need for neutral space for policy dialogue and
  debate on IPR and Trade
• Continued capacity development of science and
  technical specialists in developing countries
• Providing a forum for dialogue between
  opponents and proponents of globalisation

6
Specific Proposals for the future

• Re-examine the relationship between and rules
  of Trade and Technology transfer to promote
  coherence and coordination between these and the
  institutions that govern them
• Developing countries have valid, unfulfilled
  expectations of TRIPS fully implement TRIPS
  preamble and develop legally binding obligations
  and monitoring mechanisms
• Facilitate movement of technical staff from
  developing countries for short-term skills
  development for effective uptake of new
  technologies