TN/IP/31  
 
30 November  2022 
(22-8901) Page: 1/2 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights  
Special Session    
 
 
MULTILATERAL SYSTEM OF NOTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL 
INDICATIONS FOR WINES AND SPIRITS  
REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN, AMBASSADOR ALFREDO SUESCUM (PANAMA)  
1.  I present this report on my own responsibility and without prejudice to the position of delegations 
or to the outcome of negotiations on the negotiations on the establishment of a multilateral system 
of notification and registration of geographical indications (GIs) for wines a nd spirits ( "GI Register ") 
in the Special Session of the Council for TRIPS . 
2.  Since my last written report, circulated as document TN/IP/30  on 15 November 2021, there has 
been little activity in the TRIPS negotiations on the GI register. I have held informal individual 
consultations with principal  delegations to hear their thoughts on how and if the Special Session 
might proceed in fulfilling its mandate.  
3.  In these consultations, I reminded all delegations that moving forward would require significant  
efforts to overcome  persistent disagreements  on substantive and procedural issues in the GI register 
negotiations . Beyond  these threshold issues, I once again encouraged evolution from the long-held 
unchanged positions that have resulted in the current impasse by pro mpting delegat ions to reflect 
on how, when and where they might usefully  engage to achieve  their objectives within the Special 
Session 's mandate.  
4.  Partic ularly I asked delegations  whether  they had engaged  recently , in more than a general 
manner, with specific suggestion s with the other side . I asked also whether  they were ready , with 
any novel ideas , to restart the substantive  work of the Special Session.  
5.  From these consultation s, I understand that none of the delegations has engaged with other s on 
any specific suggestions, and  no novel ideas were put forward on how to advance the work of the 
Special Session.  
6.  Delegations supporting the modalities proposal in document TN/C/W/52  reiterated the 
importance  they place on the GI register and indicated their willingness to reflect on the overall 
situation . One reiterated its view that the issues  of the GI register and TRIPS -CBD were linked, citing 
particularly development s in discussion s in WIPO on the protection of genetic resources. Delegations 
supporting the Joint Proposal contained in document TN/IP/W/10/Rev.4  reiterated their posi tion that 
the Special Session should respect its negotiating mandate . The delegation proposing  a compromise 
contained in document TN/IP/W/8  indicated that they would revisit the proposal to bridge the gap 
between the delegations.  
7.  Additionally, the delegations did not see the current negotiatin g environment as conducive to 
any substantive engagement . They considered the current discussions under paragraph 8 of the 
Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement to be a much higher priority, and thus felt there was 
no urgency in retaking substantive work in the Special Session.  
8.  All this shows that there has been very little if any evolution in Members ' positions on  either 
substantive or procedural issues on the GI register negotiations . Members ' willingness to engage 
substantively in the TRIPS Special Session remain s scant , at least until after the current discussion 
on paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement .  TN/IP/31  
 
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  9.  I had envisioned convening an informal open -ended meeting to re port on these consultations 
and to provide an opportunity for other delegations to share their thoughts on the work of the Special 
Session . However, given all that I have reported today, I have concluded that the moment is not 
ripe, and instead make myself  available after delivering this report to meet with any delegation that 
may wish to do so.  
10.  It remains my hope that delegations will eventually return to substantive discussion in the TRIPS 
Special Session and work towards a multilateral conclusion of its mandate . As always, I stand ready 
to help them once they do.  
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