IP/C/W/658  
 
4 October 2019  
(19-6427) Page: 1/12 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights    
 
  
WTO SECRETARIAT TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN THE TRIPS AREA  
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT  
 
 
 
 
 
 
This document reports on the technical cooperation activities concerning TRIPS  that were undertaken 
between 1 October  2018 and 30 September  2019 by the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization 
(WTO) . It covers activities that specifically relate to intellectual property (IP) and the Agreement  on 
Trade -Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) , as well as contributions to other  activities of a 
broader character , which have a significant intellectual property ( IP) or TRIPS component . It follows 
the previous report to the Council for TRIPS , contained in document IP/C/W/ 645, dated 
2 October 2018. This cover note  provides a general overview . More information for  each activity is 
provided in Annex  I. 
1  MAIN ORIENTATIONS, TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS  
1.  Technical cooperation activities , implemented by the WTO Secretariat  under the aegis of TRIPS , 
have the objective of assist ing Members and Observers  to meet their developmental and other 
domestic policy objectives , such as innovation and industrial policy, health, regulatory aspects , 
competition policy and environment al protection , through the trade and intellectual property regi me, 
in line with their domestic circumstances and priority needs . These activities also have the objective  
of strengthening  the capacity of  Members to fully participate in the WTO's work on TRIPS matters  
and, particularly, to make assess ments on the issues  under examination or review.  
2.  During the review period, t he Secretariat's technical cooperation activities in relation to the TRIPS 
Agreement continue d to focus on assisting Members and Observers to understand the ir rights and 
obligations  under the Agreement .  Additionally , Members and Observers continued to receive tailored 
assistance regarding notifications and reviews of national legislation.  Activities are essentially driven 
by demand from developing country and least developed country  Members, as well as from 
governments  preparing to accede to the WTO . 
3.  Among the more recent developments, since the entry into force of the Protocol Amending the 
TRIPS Agreement in January 2017, activities have increasingly focused o n implementing the Protocol 
at the domestic level and supporting the utilization of the Special Compulsory Licensing  System as 
an effective procurement tool to ensure access to affordable medicines. In 201 8, the Secretariat also 
organized the first WTO activity dedicated to  IP and knowledge flows in a digital era with the overall 
objectives of provid ing participants with an understanding of how existing WTO rules, particularly 
the TRIPS Agreement, apply to the knowledge economy  and to facilitate participant s' understanding 
of how technological advancements have enhanced the means for cross -border knowledge flows . 
The WTO also organized in 2018 the first ever truly trilateral activity co -organized by the WHO, 
WIPO and WTO , which was held in Kuwait . Further, i n 2019, the Secretariat organized the Workshop 
on the Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement in which capital -based officials from 
LDCs and from developed country reporting Members, as well as Geneva -based delegates, 
participated.  This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own  
responsibility and  is without prejudice to the positions of Members 
or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  IP/C/W/658  
 
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  4.  Members and Observers have identified a wide range  of challenges and interests related to IP  
and the TRIPS Agreement . Accordingly , technical cooperation activities have become increasingly 
more tailored to  the specific needs of a Member or Observer , or region. T he Secretariat has evolved 
an ever  more holistic approach, recognizing the situation of the TRIPS Agreement and policy choices 
within the TRIPS  framework as integral to the broader policy context , and calling on a wide r range 
of expertise. The  systematic  incorporation of case studies in the curriculum of each activity supports 
this approach, as it focuses on finding practical solutions on current  cross-cutting challenges.  
Moreover, technical assistan ce addresses the practical needs of policymakers to understand the 
interface between the TRIPS Agreement and other WTO Agreements, such as Agriculture, Technical 
Barriers to Trade (TBT)  and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures ( SPS). In turn, this requires closer 
collaboration  amongst different divisions in the Secretariat. The case studies delivered during  the 
Advanced Trade Policy Courses and the  annual Works hop on Trade and Public Health  – and the 
strong positive feedback received from participants, as we ll as the continuing high level of demand 
- confirm the successful implementation of this interdisciplinary approach . 
5.  Throughout the period under review, t echnical cooperation on TRIPS continued to also be  
delivered through information and advice provided  directly to delegations  in Geneva . In particular, 
following the February 2019 launch of the e -TRIPS Submission System, an online tool for WTO 
Members to submit notifications, review materials and reports r elated to the TRIPS Agreement, the 
Secretariat has provided on -demand training sessions regarding TRIPS transparency mechanisms  
and how to use the e -TRIPS Submission System . The Secretariat was also invited to deliver TRIPS -
related sessions in  study progra mmes, training courses, seminars and workshops in Geneva , in 
national capitals and in regional centres .  
6.  Complementarity and cooperation with other intergovernmental organizations continues to be 
ensured , as detailed in section 3 below.  The Trilateral Stud y on "Promoting Access to Medical 
Technologies and Innovation"  remains the main reference and comprehensive information resource 
to support a multidimensional approach in relation to the intersections between public health, trade 
and intellectual property.1 The annual Workshop on Trade and Public Health, conducted in Geneva 
for the  benefit of a diverse group of public health, trade and IP officials, exemplifies this 
interdisciplinary and holistic approach, which is also evident in growing demand for cross -cutting 
capacity building in this area at the regional and national levels.  
2  SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, TRAINING COURSES AND OTHER TECHNICAL COOPERATION 
ACTIVITIES  
2.1  Geneva -based Activities  
7.  The activity  on IP and knowledge flows in a digital era  was the first capacity building activity to 
acknowledge the transformation of the interplay among IP, trade and knowledge due to digital 
disruption . This transformation has given rise to the need to update developing country Members' 
understanding of the conte xt for the disciplines of the TRIPS Agreement and IP systems within the 
framework of the digital environment . Its main objective was to familiarize participants with how 
the TRIPS Agreement, and other WTO rules, apply in the knowledge economy and in light of rapid 
advancements in digital technology. The activity also aimed at building participants' understanding 
of how technological changes have enhanced the means for cross -border knowledge flows through 
new forms of trade, including through the use of info rmation and communication technologies, 
transformation of the content industries and global value chains . 
8.  The WTO also held the first Workshop on the Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS 
Agreement (incentives to transfer technology to LDCs)  to which  involved capital -based delegates 
from LDCs  were invited . The Reports from developed countries, the transparency mechanism under 
Article 66. 2 of the TRIPS Agreement , priority areas of technological development in LDCs , projects 
relevant to those priority a reas and LDC experience with projects reported under  Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement were the prim ary focus of th e Workshop.   
9.  The annual Trade and Public Health Workshop focused  on training and sharing experiences 
amongst officials from trade, IP and h ealth authorities. The  programme has continuously evolved 
toward s a holistic approach. It wa s delivered in close collaboratio n with the World Health 
Organization  (WHO)  and the World Intellectual Property Organization  (WIPO) . It benefited  from 
                                                
1 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news13_e/trip_05feb13_e.htm   IP/C/W/658  
 
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  contributions of experts from the three organ izations, as well as from the United Nations Conference 
for Trade and Development  (UNCTAD ), civil society and the private sector. The use of case studies 
strengthen ed the analytical capacity of participants to a ddress current issues at the crossroads of 
trade, IP and health policies and develop ed their decision -making  processes.  
10.  The 16th WIPO -WTO Colloquium for Teachers of Intellectual Property  from developing countries 
and economies in transition is part of the Secretariat's wider approach towards cooperation with the 
academic community . The overall objective is  to build  capacity on WTO matters , as a sustained 
resource for Members  and Observers . The 201 9 Colloquium update d university teachers of IP on the 
activities and instruments of both Organizations. It focused  on important policy issues under 
negotiation or discussion . Additionally, speakers from the WHO and the International Union for the 
Protection of New Varieties o f Plants (UPOV ) enriched the programme with their interventions. 
Participating university teachers also made presentations on selected research topics . The 
significance and sustained  impact of this activity is ensured by the  resulting alumni network and th e 
publishing  of the Colloquium papers as a quality academic journal .2 Colloquia and coordinated follow -
up strengthen  indigenous capacity both for teaching IP with an  international and policy -rich 
perspective, and for analysing and assessing current IP poli cy issues.  
11.  The 11th WIPO -WTO Advanced Course on Intellectual Property  continued to draw on the 
experience of the Colloquium, and applied a similar programme structure and pedagogic strategy . 
The target group were , however,  government officials and public -sector  policymakers . The course 
also applied the notion of gradual and progressive learning : in order to qualify for the course, the 
candidates had to  have successfully  complete d the WTO e Learning  TRIPS Course or possess 
commensurate knowledge or professional experience . Thus, the  course was able to work from a  truly 
advanced baseline and to explore cutting edge issues , such the intersection of artificial intelligence, 
IP and economic development,  through  an interactive deba te and practical case studies, so as to 
strengthen participants'  capacity to review policy options and their implications, and to learn from 
the wide range of practical experiences covered in the programme.  
12.  Since the February 2019 launch of the e -TRIPS Sub mission System,  an online tool for WTO 
Members to submit notifications, review materials and reports related to the TRIPS Agreement , the 
WTO has held both informal ad hoc training sessions at Members' request and on the margins of the 
TRIPS Council meeting  in June 2019.  These informal sessions focused on TRIPS notification 
obligations, transparency mechanisms and how to use the e -TRIPS Submission System.  
13.  The WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) organizes many activities that 
include a  significant TRIPS component, such as the Advanced Trade Policy Courses, WTO 
Introduction for LDC Members, an LDC Priority Issues Course , and other events held in Geneva. The 
three Advanced Trade Policy Courses that took place during the reporting period incorporated: 
modules on selected TRIPS issues; a cross -cutting case study addressing trade, agriculture, SPS and 
IP policy; as well as a visit to WIPO, which provided an opportunit y for participants to learn about 
that Organization, its treaties and activities.  
2.2   Activities Outside  Geneva  
14.  The WTO organized two regional workshops on the intersection of trade, IP and health law and 
policy. The Regional Workshop on Public Health, Intell ectual Property and Public Procurement for 
WAEMU Members , delivered in collaboration with the WHO, WIPO and WCO, focused on improving 
the understanding of key elements of a transparent, impartial and effective procurement regime and 
the link with access  to medical technologies and medicines on a sustainable basis. In collaboration 
with the IMF Center for Economics and Finance, the WHO, WIPO and WTO jointly hosted the Regional 
Seminar on TRIPS for Arab government officials. The activity focused on proving th e understanding 
of the links between trade agreements, IP and public health. The programme s for both regional 
workshops  were developed to respond to the challenges identified in the region . In response to a 
demand by Members to build capacity to use the Sp ecial Compulsory Licensing System  as an 
effective procurement tool, there were sessions in both programmes  dedicated to the 
                                                
2 Papers presented at the Colloquium of 2019 will be compiled and published by WIPO and the WTO and 
will be available online as an edited volume, intended to provide a resource for researchers and analysts covering 
contemporary IP and TRIPS issues from the perspective of a wide range of developing countries, and enabling 
to build the academic credentials of participants. This will be the 8th volume in a formal publication series.  IP/C/W/658  
 
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  implementation and practical use of  the System . The programme  also included presentations by 
participants on their country experienc es and best practices.  
15.  The WTO organized a national workshop devoted to IP and public health matters in Senegal . In 
line with the demand -driven nature of technical assistance, this activit y responded to the specific 
needs identified  by the requesting Member and the programme was developed jointly with the 
relevant authorities, as well as contributing partner Organizations , including  the WIPO  and WHO. 
16.  Broader WTO technical assistance activiti es outside Geneva have included a significant TRIPS 
component . For example, the Secretariat provided a comprehensive module on the TRIPS Agreement 
as part of  WTO Regional Trade Policy Courses , which were organized  in partnership with the École 
nationale su périeure de statistique et d'économie appliquée  in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire ; the University 
of Mauritius in Réduit, Mauritius ; Colegio de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico ; Chulalongkorn University 
and the International Institute for Trade and Development in Ban gkok, Thailand ; and the University 
of The West Indies  in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago .  
17.  The WTO also contributed to training activities by partner agencies which required close 
collaboration with the organizers. For example, the WTO jointly organized  an activity in China on 
trade, technology innovation and IP. The WTO also participated in a national seminar organized by 
WIPO in the Kyrgyz Republic which focused on the patent system and pharmaceuticals.  In addition, 
the WTO made comprehensive contribut ions to the Interregional Workshop on Copyright 
Enforcement organized by WIPO and the Ministry o f Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea that was 
held in Seoul, Korea,  in cooperation with the Korea  Copyright Protection Agency, the  Korea 
Copyright Commission, as well as the WTO. Other activities  included the Conference on "Respect for 
IP – Growing from the Tip of Africa"  held in Sandton, South Africa , which was jointly organized by 
the Government of South Africa, the WIPO, WCO, INTE RPOL and the WTO . 
2.3  eLearning  
18.  eLearning courses are the first step in the Progressive Learning Strategy3 that has been 
implemented by the WTO.  C urrently , the WTO  offers four  courses related to TRIPS  on its e Learning 
platform4: Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights , as well as a Short Trip through 
TRIPS, Copyright in the WTO and Patents in the WTO.  They were developed using modern  
pedagogical approach es and using  instructional design methodologies.  The learning material 
includes a wide va riety of multimedia, interactive elements and exercises.  From January to 
mid-September 201 9, 353 participants had been accepted to take  TRIPS  eLearning courses.5 
19.  The courses are organized in English, French and Spanish all  year round . Participants have 
online access to the course material, background documents, interactive sessions (webinars, chat 
sessions and discussion forum) as well as pre - and post -tests. Successful participants are awarded 
a certificate . They are assisted throughout the course by a t rainer and a helpdesk . In the invitations 
to workshops and more advanced technical assistance  activities on the  TRIPS  Agreement, the 
Secretariat has prioritised candidates having successfully completed t he WTO TRIPS eLearning 
course . 
3  COOPERATION WITH WIPO AND OTHER INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS  
20.  The WTO Secretariat's technical cooperation in the area of TRIPS includes a wide range of 
coordination and cooperation  with other intergovernmental organizations  (IGOs), as well as 
contributions to programmes by other IGOs .  
21.  As provided for in the 1995 Cooperation Agreement between WIPO and WTO, c ooperation 
between the two Organizations continues to be a key feature of TRIPS -related  technical cooperation . 
The WIPO -WTO Joint Initiative on Technical Cooperation f or least developed countries , launched in 
June 2001, further strengthened this collaboration.  
                                                
3 https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/teccop_e/pls_e.pdf  
4 https://ecampus.wto.org/default.asp  
5 Source: WTO eLearning database.  IP/C/W/658  
 
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  22.  Trilateral collaboration with WIPO  and WHO in the field of IP and public health continues to 
foster a better understanding of the linkage between public health, i ntellectual property and trade , 
more generally ; and to enhance a mutually supportive implementation of the relevant policies in 
those areas . Work on public health matters regularly involv es the  participation of trilateral partners 
and other multilateral agencies, such as UNCTAD , the United Nations Development Programme 
(UNDP ) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR) .   
23.  Partnerships with other key stakeholders  have also been further developed , includin g the World 
Customs Organization ( WCO), UNCTAD, the UNFCC C, UN OHCHR,  the Organization for Economic 
Cooperation and Development  (OECD ), UPOV, Interpol, regional organizations including the PAHO,  
the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization  (ARIPO) and the African Intellectual Property 
Organization ( OAPI), and a wide range of civil society and private sector associations, as well as 
experts from academia  (notably regionally based experts drawn from the growing group of alumni 
from the Colloquium s eries) . 
_______________  
  
  IP/C/W/658  
 
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ANNEX I  
TECHNICAL COOPERATIO N ACTIVITIES IN THE TRIPS AREA FROM 1 OCTOBER 201 8 TO 30 SEPTEMBER  2019  
 
Activity  Date  Location  Description  Link for Further Details  
Advanced Trade 
Policy Course 
(TRIPS/IP Modules) 
(English))  
 8 October – 30 
November 2018  Geneva, 
Switzerland  The Advanced Trade Policy Course included a Module 
on Selected TRIPS Issues, as well as a cross -cutting 
case study covering trade, agriculture, SPS and TRIPS 
issues.  https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news18_
e/tra_30nov18_e.htm   
Workshop on Global 
Trade, Technology 
Innovation and 
Intellectual 
Property  
 15-19 October 
2018 Beijing, China  This activity on Global Trade, Technology Innovation 
and Intellectual Property was jointly organized by the 
WTO and the Chinese Academy of International Trade 
and Economic Cooperation (CATIEC), in cooperation 
WIPO and sponsored by the China Federation of 
Industrial Economics (CFIE) and the Xiamen Municipal 
Gover nment. It addressed IP policy and practice 
relating to innovation and trade within two sectors: the 
public health sector and the information and 
communication technology (ICT) sector.  
  
Regional Trade 
Policy Course for 
Asia and Pacific 
Members and 
Observe rs (TRIPS 
Module)  
 22 October – 14 
December 2018  Bangkok, 
Thailand  The RTPC included sessions on topical TRIPS issues 
focused on trademarks, geographical indications, 
patents, undisclosed information, TRIPS and public 
health, as well as competition policy and government 
procurement. A case study on access to medicines was 
part of the programme.  
 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news18_
e/tech_22oct18_e.htm   
Conference on 
"Respect for IP – 
Growing from the 
Tip of Africa"  23-25 October 
2018 Sandton, South 
Africa  Co-organized by South Africa's Companies and IP 
Commission, WIPO, WCO, WTO and Interpol, the 
conference highlighted cooperation as a central 
element to put a balanced IP regime in place that 
benefits both inventors and society.  
   
  IP/C/W/658  
 
- 7 - Activity  Date  Location  Description  Link for Further Details  
Seminar on 
Intellectual 
Property and 
Knowledge Flows in 
a Digital Era  5-6 November 
2018 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The Seminar on Intellectual Property and Knowledge 
Flows in a Digital Era addressed how technological 
changes have transformed trade and knowledge flows.  
Five main themes were covered by the seminar, 
including: mapping the interface between trade, 
intellectual property rules and knowledge flows; 
measuring trade in knowledge; the impact of 
knowledge flows on trade and development; policy, 
regulatory and legi slative frameworks; and the way 
forward on trade rules and economic implications for 
cross-border knowledge flows.  
 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news18_
e/trip_08nov18_e.htm   
WTO National 
Training on Trade 
and Capacity 
building for Korean 
Government 
Officials (TRIPS/IP 
Module)  
 12-16 
November 2018 
& 8-12 July 
2019 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The WTO National Training on Trade and Capacity 
Building for Korean Government Officials, which aimed 
at providing an in -depth overview of the WTO 
Agreements, included a module on the TRIPS 
Agreement.   
National Seminar 
on Exceptions and 
Limitations to 
Patent Rights 
Relating to 
Inventions in the 
Pharmaceutical 
Field organized by 
WIPO  
 15-16 
November 2018  Bishkek, Kyrgyz 
Republic  The aim of the Seminar was to enhance the knowledge 
of national authorities on various exceptions and 
limitations to patent rights in the pharmaceutical 
sector. WIPO invited WTO to participate in the seminar 
and deliver lectures on three topics TRIPS and t rade-
related topics.     
  IP/C/W/658  
 
- 8 - Activity  Date  Location  Description  Link for Further Details  
Regional Seminar 
on TRIPS for Arab 
government 
officials, jointly 
organized by the 
WIPO, WHO and 
WTO, in 
collaboration with 
the IMF Center for 
Economics and 
Finance  
 18-21 
November 2018  Kuwait City, 
Kuwait  The Regional Seminar on TRIPS for Arab government 
officials, jointly organized by the WIPO, WHO and 
WTO, in collaboration with the IMF Center for 
Economics and Finance focused on the interlinkages 
between health, IP and trade. The multidisciplinary 
programme w as developed in close collaboration with 
WHO and WIPO and included a mix of lectures and case 
studies, followed by discussions and Q&R sessions. 
Participants came from health, trade and IP authorities 
in the region, representing the different disciplines t hat 
are needed in order to effectively deal with public 
health challenges.  
  
IP and Innovation 
Researchers of Asia 
Conference  
 30 January 
2019 – 1 
February 2019  Kuala Lumpur, 
Malaysia  The IP and Innovation Researchers of Asia Conference 
comprised presenta tions of empirical research papers 
from university professors and policy makers with a 
focus on IP law -related issues in Asia and distinct 
challenges for policymakers in developing countries in 
the region.  
 http://ipresearchersasia.org/   
Advanced Trade 
Policy Course 
(TRIPS/IP Modules ) 
(English) ) 
 28 January – 22 
March 201 9 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The Advanced Trade Policy Course included a Module 
on Selected TRIPS Issues, as well as a cross -cutting 
case study covering trade, agriculture, SPS and TRIPS 
issues.  https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_
e/tra_27mar19_e.htm    
Regional Trade 
Policy Course for 
the French -
speaking African 
Members and 
Observers  
(TRIPS/IP Module)  
 18 February – 
12 April 2019  Abidjan, Côte 
d'Ivoire  The RTPC included sessions on topical TRIPS issues 
focused on trademarks, geographical indications, 
patents, und isclosed information, TRIPS and public 
health, as well as competition policy and government 
procurement. A case study on access to medicines was 
part of the programme.  https://ww w.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_
e/tra_19feb19_e.htm    
e-TRIPS 
Submission System 
informal training 
sessions  13 February 
2019 – 
September 
2019 Geneva, 
Switzerland, and 
remotely  Since the launch of the e -TRIPS Submission System to 
Members in February 2019, the Secretariat has 
conducted numerous informal training sessions, 
including ad -hoc and on demand one -one-one sessions 
with delegations and an informal session for all 
intereste d TRIPS delegates on the margins of the June 
2019 TRIPS Council meeting.  https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/e
trips_e.htm    
  IP/C/W/658  
 
- 9 - Activity  Date  Location  Description  Link for Further Details  
Workshop on the 
Implementation of 
Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement 
(incentives to 
transfer technology 
to LDCs)  11-13 February 
2019 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The Workshop on the Implementation of Article 66.2 
of the TRIPS Agreement (incentives to transfer 
technology to LDCs) focused on the Reports fro m 
developed countries, the transparency mechanism 
under Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, priority 
areas of technological development in LDCs, projects 
relevant to those priority areas and LDC experience 
with projects reported in the TRIPS Article 66.2 were 
the prime focus of the Workshop.  
  
WIPO -WTO 
Advanced Course 
on Intellectual 
Property for 
Policymakers  
 11-22 March 
2019 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The Advanced Course provided a platform to build up 
dialogue and establish a solid partnership between 
peers that will continue beyond the two -week course, 
putting national experiences and advice on best 
practices and strategies at the centre of the discussion. 
Its objective is to build the skills and knowledge 
required to work with other stakeholders at th e 
national level and to update, design and harness IP 
systems in promoting economic and development 
goals.  
 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_
e/trip_29mar19_e.htm   
Interregional 
Workshop on 
Copyright 
Enforcement co -
organized by WIPO, 
the Korean Ministry 
of Culture, Sports 
and Tourism, Korea 
Copyright 
Protection Agency, 
Korea Copyright 
Commission and 
the WTO  
 25-29 March 
2019 Seoul, Korea, 
Republic of  The workshop formed part of a series of interregional 
activities with a focus on copyright protection and 
enforcement in the online environment. It was co -
hosted by WIPO and the Korean Ministry of Culture, 
Sports and Tourism, in cooperation with the Korea 
Copyright Pro tection Agency, the Korea Copyright 
Commission, as well as the WTO. Participants came 
from the judiciary (judges, prosecutors) and IP offices. 
They represented countries from different regions 
(Asia, Latin America, Africa). The WTO Secretariat 
made present ations on TRIPS provisions in the area of 
IPR enforcement, the work in the TRIPS Council and 
other WTO bodies, WTO DS case law in the area of 
copyright and enforcement, as well relevant provisions 
in RTAs.  
 https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?
meeting_id=51206    
  IP/C/W/658  
 
- 10 - Activity  Date  Location  Description  Link for Further Details  
WTO Introductory 
Trade Policy Course 
for LDCs  (TRIPS/IP 
Module)  
 29 April – 17 
May 2019 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The course included a TRIPS/IP component , which 
focused on TRIPS provisions and issues most relevant 
to LDCs . 
 
 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_
e/tra_17may19_e.htm   
Regional Trade 
Policy Course for 
English -speaking 
African Members 
and Observers  
(TRIPS/IP Module)  
 29 April – 21 
June 2019  Réduit, Mauritius  The RTPC included sessions on topical TRIPS issues 
focused on trademarks, geographical indications, 
patents, undisclosed information, TRIPS and public 
health, as well as competition policy and government 
procurement. A case study on access to medicines was 
part of the programme.  
 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_
e/chair_13jun19_e.htm    
Regional Trade 
Policy Course for 
Caribbean Members 
and Observers 
(TRIPS/IP Module)  
 3 June – 26 July 
2019 Port of Spain, 
Trinidad and 
Tobago  The RTPC included sessions on topical TRIPS issues 
focused on trademarks, geographical indications, 
patents, undisclosed information, TRIPS and public 
health, as well as competition policy and government 
procurement. A case study on access to medicines 
was part of the programme.  
 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_
e/tra_20jun19_e.htm    
Advanced Trade 
Policy Course 
(TRIPS/IP Modules) 
(French))  
 3 June – 29 July 
2019 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The Advanced Trade Policy Course included a Module 
on Selected TRIPS Issues, as well as a cross -cutting 
case study covering trade, agriculture, SPS and 
TRIPS issues.  https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_
e/tra_13jun19_e.htm   
WIPO-WTO 
Colloquium for IP 
Teachers  17-29 June 
2019 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The WIPO -WTO Colloquium for IP Teachers aimed at 
helping teachers from developing countries and 
economies in transition to become more aware of the 
Geneva institutions, negotiations and other activities 
concerning intellectual property law and policy and t o 
strengthen their countries’ independent research, 
policy analysis and teaching. The programme includes 
a wide range of IP policy and legal issues, such as IP 
and public health, IP and e -commerce, IP and 
biotechnology, IP and artificial intelligence, and IP and 
blockchain.  
 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_
e/trip_17jun19_e.htm    
  IP/C/W/658  
 
- 11 - Activity  Date  Location  Description  Link for Further Details  
Regional Workshop 
on Public Health, 
Intellectual 
Property and Public 
Procurement for 
WAEMU Members  2-4 July 2019  Dakar, Senegal  The Regional Workshop on Public Health, Intellectual 
Property and Public Procurement for WAEMU Members 
focused on improving the understanding of key 
elements of a transparent, impartial and effective 
procurement regime and the link with accession 
medical technologies and medicines on a sustainable 
basis.  
  
Session 14 Side 
Event at Aid for 
Trade Global 
Review 2019: Trade 
in knowledge today 
– Rethinking the 
link between 
intellectual 
property, trade and 
development  
 3 July 2019  Geneva, 
Switzerland  This session focused on the need to take an approach 
to managing the technological, social and political 
disruptions today that involves all relevant 
stakeholders in the law and policymaking process.  https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/
a4t_e/gr19_e/gr19programme_e.htm   
National Workshop 
on Public Health 
and Intellectual 
Property  
 5 July 2019  Dakar, Senegal  This activity focused on health, trade and IP issues in 
Senegal and involved close collaboration with the WHO 
and WIPO.   
Regional Trade 
Policy Course for 
the Latin American 
Members and 
Observers  
(TRIPS/IP Module)  
 29 July – 20 
September 
2019 Mexico City, 
Mexico  The RTPC included sessions on topical TRIPS issues 
focused on trademarks, geographical indications, 
patents, undisclosed information, TRIPS and public 
health, as well as competition policy and government 
procurement. A case study on access to medicines was 
part of the programme.   
Priority Issues of 
LDCs in the 
Multilateral Trading 
System  (TRIPS/IP 
Module)  
 23-27 
September 
2019 Geneva, 
Switzerland  The Priority Issues of LDCs in the Multilateral Trading 
System Course focused on key LDC issues in the WTO, 
including a module on TRIPS and IP issues.   
WTO eLearning 
Courses on the 
TRIPS Agreement  1 October 201 8 
to 30 
September 
2019 Online  Four eLearning courses are available on the  eLearning 
platform: Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights, as well as a Short Trip through TRIPS, 
Copyright in the WTO and Patents in the WTO. The https://ecampus.wto.org/default.asp   
  IP/C/W/658  
 
- 12 - Activity  Date  Location  Description  Link for Further Details  
courses are organized in English, French and Span ish 
all year round.  
 
 
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