. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/W/67
22 February 2000
(00-0649)
Committee on Trade and Development Original:  English
PROPOSED WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR 2000
Communication from Zambia
The following communication, dated 14 February 2000, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of Zambia with the request that this proposal be distributed to all Members of the
Committee on Trade and Development (CTD).
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1. As a developing country, we attach great importance to special and differential
treatment (S&D) particularly in respect of Articles  in the Agreement dealing with technology transfer.
As members appreciate in these provisions, this is important for improving the supply response of our
trade activities.  This role falls under the ambit of this Committee.  In order to move toward achieving
the objectives related to the implementation of these obligations, we would propose that the work
programme take into account our ideas.  At the heart of achieving this objective lie two pillars:measurability and actionability.
2. Our proposal is that the CTD explores ways and means of a strengthened Co-operation
Agreement that exists between WIPO and WTO to include UNCTAD, UNIDO, the World Bank, and
indeed any other relevant organizations on the one hand;  and to widen its scope of activities to
include issues of technology transfer.  Our delegation feels that it is essential that there is a
corresponding immediate benefit for developing coun tries in their pursuit to implement TRIPS.  With
political will among our developed partners, the four organizations are capable of making theprovisions on technology transfer a reality.
(a) WIPO for example through its training programme and by organizing national and
regional seminars does assist LDCs to set goals and objectives for technology transfer
and development, and initiate the development of a networking of a model through
which educational and research programmes of different institutions at the national,regional, interregional and international level can be networked.  WIPO Patent
Information Service assists LDCs to:
- Locate and determine appropriate technology;
- Identify alternative technologies and different potential licensors;
- Identify companies/inventors active in specific technology;- Provide information useful for technology negotiations.
(b) UNCTAD too, has some comparative advantage in the area of transfer of technology
and technological capacity building.  It has the capacity to make a positive
contribution toward turning these provisions into a reality.WT/COMTD/W/67
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(c) UNIDO, with its investment and techno logy service modules has a long-standing
comparative advantage in the area of technology transfer.
(d) The World Bank/MIGA has a unique comparative advantage in promotion of
investment and technology transfer.
3. We are convinced that such an objective could not be achieved in one single year.  But for as
long as it takes to achieve, it is more practical and focused.  It takes care of three fundamental
elements of WTO's work – S&D;  capacity building;  and coherence.  Under item 111, "Participation
of Developing Countries in World Trade, section (c) indicators to measure the integration of
developing countries in the MTS" of the illustrative list of elements for a possible Work Programme
for the CTD, our proposal would take care of this too.
4. How these efforts are synchronized with the TRIPS provisions in favour of developing
countries especially LDCs could be the CTD's priority in the work plan.
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