IP/C/R/TC/AUS/3  
 
21 September 2022  
(22-7092)  Page: 1/8 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects  of 
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES:  
INFORMATION FROM MEMBERS  
AUSTRALIA  
The following communication, dated 12 September 2022 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Australia . 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION  
1.  Australia is committed to sharing information with other WTO Members on its technical and 
financial cooperation  activities in the area of intellectual property rights in fulfilment of Article 67 of 
the TRIPS Agreement .  This is a full report on Australia 's intellectual property -related technical 
cooperation activities with developing and least developed countries. It builds upon annual update 
reports provided in 2012 (IP/C/W/582/Add.2), 2013 (IP/C/W/593/Add.7), 2014 (IP/C/W/601), 
2015 (IP/C/W/610/Add.4), 20 16 (IP/C/W/617/Add.1), 2017 (IP/C/W/632/Add.1), 
2018 (IP/C/W/647/Add.2), 2019 (IP/C/W/655/Add.4), 2020 (IP/C/R/TC/AUS/1) and 2021 
(IP/C/R/TC/AUS/2).  
2.  Australia fulfils its Article 67 technical cooperation commitment through multilateral, regional and 
bilate ral programs and activities. Many activities are focused on developing and least developed 
countries in the Indo -Pacific region. Australia works closely with the World Intellectual Property 
Organization (WIPO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (A SEAN) Secretariat and other 
partners to assist developing and least developed countries to build their intellectual property 
capacity and systems.  
3.  Many of the technical cooperation activities implemented under Article 67 of the TRIPS 
Agreement  align with Australia 's strategic focus on using aid as a catalyst to promote economic 
growth and poverty reduction . This is embedded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and our 
future investments, including proposed ongoing support for the WIPO -Australia Fun ds in Trust 
program, which will be influenced by these goals . 
4.  Websites containing information on Australia 's intellectual property regime, which may be 
considered a technical cooperation  resource, include the IP Australia website covering patents, 
designs,  trademark s and plant breeders ' rights ( www.ipaustralia.gov.au ); the Department of 
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website on copyright 
developments ( www.communications.gov.au/what -we-do/copyright ); and the Department of 
Foreign Affairs and Trade website on international IP developments ( www.dfat.gov.au/ip ). 
2  AUSTRALIA N ACTIVITIES WITH THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
ORGANISATION (WIPO)  
2.1  Australia -WIPO Funds in Trust  
5.  Since 2012, the Australian Government has supported the Australia -WIPO Funds in Trust (FiT) 
program, with our support to date totalling AUD  5.8 million. The latest iteration of the program 
(FiT3) concluded in March 2022. The Australian Government is currently considering funding IP/C/R/TC/AUS/3  
 
- 2 - 
 
  arrangements for a further phase of the FiT program. FiT promotes economic growth in partner 
countries by helping to  develop and implement Intellectual Property (IP) systems, build capabilities 
in IP and facilitate technology transfer. It has helped to create an enabling environment for private 
sector innovation and domestic and foreign investment. Future programs are l ikely to build off the 
four current FiT themes: development of the intellectual property system; technology transfer 
(knowledge transfer and commercialisation); addressing neglected tropical diseases; and copyright 
and related rights to assist the blind, v isually impaired and other persons with print disabilities.  
6.  FiT3 Activities to support  the development of the intellectual property systems included 
developing a judicial toolkit on IP adjudication ( 'IP benchbook '') for judges and judicial officers. 
These were produced for both the Philippines and Viet Nam. The IP benchbooks are an important 
judicial resource, serving as a core element of future judicial capacity -building programs for judges 
and judicial officers.  
3  OTHER MULTILATERAL  AND REGIONAL ACTIVITIES  
3.1  Economic Cooperation  Support Program and Regional Trade for Development 
Program under the ASEAN -Australia -New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA)  
7.  The AANZFTA 's Economic Cooperation Support Program (AECSP) consists of the Economic 
Cooperation Work Program and  the AANZFTA Support Unit located in the ASEAN Secretariat. The 
AECSP was established in 2010 as a five-year program with funding of AUD  20-25 million.   The 
Program, which was subsequently extended further, aims to support the ASEAN Secretariat in 
servicin g the AANZFTA Joint Committee and its subsidiary bodies to assist ASEAN member States, 
particularly least developed countries, with AANZFTA 's implementation. The AECSP finished on 
30 June 2022. Intellectual property is a vital component of the AECSP, with the objective being to 
"provide comprehensive support for the development of sound and balanced intellectual property 
systems in the AANZFTA region ". The following paragraph outlines one of the intellectual property 
outcomes achieved under the AECSP with f urther detail provided in the Annex to this report.   
8.  Since February 2021, IP Australia has participated in the AANZFTA Enhancement of Trade Mark 
Quality Management Project. This is a capacity -building project for ASEAN IP offices looking to 
develop and enh ance quality management systems for trademark  examination. The first 2 phases 
of the project consisted of virtual workshops hosted by IP Australia, which involved sharing 
experiences of various IP offices in applying quality concepts and principles relatin g to trademark ™ 
examination.  
9.  In September 2021, the Prime Minister announced that Australia will commit AUD 46 million to 
the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Program to provide technical  assistance and capacity 
building to help eligible ASEAN countries implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and AANZFTA commitments.  The following paragraph  outlines one 
of the intellectual property outcomes to be provided under the RT4D Program with further detail 
provided in t he Annex to this report.  
10.  Since July 2022, IP Australia is developing phase 3 of the project and RCEP scoping. RCEP 
scoping refers to the preliminary investigative work being done to determine where technical 
assistance and capacity building could be provid ed to eligible ASEAN countries to implement their 
RCEP commitments . A regional workshop is planned for November 2022, which is expected to be 
held as a hybrid (in -person and online) event in the ASEAN region, to combine lessons learnt from 
earlier phases w ith practical steps for the implementation of trademark  quality management 
systems.  
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  IP/C/R/TC/AUS/3  
 
- 3 - ANNEX1 
Name of programme or project  Economic Cooperation Support Program under the ASEAN -Australia -New Zealand Free Trade 
Agreement (AANZFTA)  
Date and end date  1 January 2010 - 31 December 2022  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; Indonesia; Lao People 's Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; 
Singapore; Thailand; Viet Nam  
Brief description  The AANZFTA 's Economic Cooperation Support Program (AECSP) consists of an Economic Cooperation Work 
Program and the AANZFTA Support Unit located within th e ASEAN Secretariat. The AECSP was established in 2010 
as a five -year program with funding of AUD  20-25 million. The Program, which was subsequently extended until 
June 2022, aims to support the ASEAN Secretariat in servicing the AANZFTA Joint Committee an d its subsidiary 
bodies to assist ASEAN member States, particularly Least Developed Countries, with AANZFTA 's implementation. 
Intellectual property is a vital component of AANZFTA and the AECSP work program. The objective of the IP work 
is to ''provide com prehensive support for the development of sound and balanced intellectual property systems in 
the AANZFTA region ''. 
Beneficiary institution or audience  ASEAN member States are the audience and ODA eligible states receive support. Non -ODA eligible ASEAN countries 
fund their own engagement.  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  A mix of Australian, New Zealand and ASEAN member States government agencies and private providers managed 
through a centralised support unit embedded in the ASEAN Secretariat.  
Outputs or impact  Technical assistance and capacity building.  
Website for further information  https://aanzfta.asean.org/   
https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/in -force/aanzfta/Pages/asean -australia -new-zealand -free-trade -
agreement  
Contact point for further information   
 
 
1 In English only .  
  IP/C/R/TC/AUS/3  
 
- 4 - Name of programme or project  Funds in Trust - Development of an online training program on the Madrid System accession and 
implementation process  
Date and end date  1 September 2019 - 31 March 2022  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; Kingdom 
of Bahrain; Bangladesh; Barbados; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Plurinational State of Bolivia; Bosnia and 
Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cabo  Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; 
Central African Republic; Chad; Chile; China; Colombia; Comoros; Congo; Costa Rica; Côte d 'Ivoire; Cuba; 
Curaçao; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; 
Equatorial Guinea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; The Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; Guinea; 
Guinea -Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Jamaica; Jordan; 
Kazakhstan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; the Stat e of Kuwait; Kyrgyz Republic; Lao People 's Democratic Republic; 
Lebanese Republic; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Macao, China; Madagascar; Malawi; Malaysia; Maldives; Mali; 
Mauritania; Mauritius; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozam bique; Myanmar; 
Namibia; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Nigeria; North Macedonia; Oman; Pakistan; Panama; Papua New Guinea; 
Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation; Rwanda; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent 
and the Grenadines; Samo a; Sao Tomé and Principe; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Serbia; Seychelles; Sierra 
Leone; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Suriname; Syrian 
Arab Republic; The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu , Kinmen and Matsu; Tajikistan; Tanzania; 
Thailand; Timor -Leste; Togo; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tunisia; Türkiye; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Ukraine; 
United Arab Emirates; Uruguay; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Viet Nam; Yemen; 
Zambi a; Zimbabwe  
Brief description  In collaboration with WIPO developed a suit of online training programs on post accession implementation of the 
Madrid Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks.  
 
The modules are targeted at IP offices and cover best practice office processing.  
 
Development of promotional content to raise awareness of the Madrid course and to assist IP Offices in promoting 
the course and Madrid System to local users.  
Beneficiary institu tion or audience   
Technical cooperation provider(s)  WIPO.  
Outputs or impact  - Increased registration of 200 -300% due to promotion  
- 1,627 students registered in 2020 course  
- 1,971 students enrolled in May 2021 course.  
Website for further information  http://welc.wipo.int/acc/index.jsf?page=courseCatalog.xhtml&lang=en&cc=DL303E#plus_DL303E  
Contact point for further information  Alma Lacken ( alma.lacken@ipaustralia.gov.au ), 
  
  IP/C/R/TC/AUS/3  
 
- 5 - Name of programme or project  Funds in Trust - Accessible Books Consortium  
Date and end date  1 September 2019 - 31 March 2022  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Indonesia; Myanmar; Viet Nam  
Brief description  Training in accessible book production to be held in Viet Nam, Indonesia and Myanmar. Training to Indonesian, 
Vietnamese and Myanmarese students with print impairments in the use of technology for  accessing and reading 
materials in accessible formats will be held. Activities are ongoing.  
Beneficiary institution or audience   
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Accessible Books Consortium.  
Outputs or impact  Training provided on how to produce digita lly accessible books for the visually impaired or otherwise print disabled. 
Textbooks produced in Epub3 format and electronic braille devices were purchased and beneficiaries training in the 
use. Books embossed in braille distributed.  
Website for further  information   
Contact point for further information  Alma Lacken ( alma.lacken@ipaustralia.gov.au ). 
  
  IP/C/R/TC/AUS/3  
 
- 6 - Name of programme or project  International Fund for Cultural Diversity  
Date and end date  1 January 2010  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)   
Brief description  The International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) is a multi -donor fund established under Article 18 of the 
UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cult ural Expressions 2005 (2005 
Convention) to which Australia is a signatory. The IFCD promotes sustainable development and poverty reduction 
by funding projects in developing countries that foster the emergence of dynamic cultural sectors, revitalisation of 
the local economy and create positive social change.  
 
The Office for the Arts (OFTA) in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, 
Communications and the Arts is responsible for implementing programs and policies that meet Australia 's 
obligations under the IFCD as a signatory to the 2005 Convention.  
 
UNESCO calls for member State contributions to IFCD annually. Australia makes voluntary contributions to the 
IFCD where feasible to support Australia 's international obligations  under the 2005 Convention and demonstrate 
practically its commitment to supporting UNESCO international cooperation and assistance for developing countries.  
 
Since the IFCD was established in 2010, the OFTA (on behalf of Australia) has made a total volun tary contribution 
of AU D 555,879. (AU D 103,653 in 2022; AU D 98,201 in 2020; AU D 105,333 in 2018; AU D 88,692 in 2016; AU D 
80,000 in 2013; and AU D 80,000 in 2011.)  
 
Beneficiary Members are all Member States to the 2005 Convention.  
Beneficiary institution or audience   
Technical cooperation provider(s)  UNESCO  
Outputs or impact  Since 2010, the IFCD has provided more than US D 8 million in funding for 114 projects in 58 developing countries, 
covering a wide range of areas, from the development and implementation of cultural policies, to capacity  building 
of cultural entrepreneurs, mapping of cultural industries and the creation of new cultural industry business models.  
Website for further information  http://en.unesco.org/creativity/ifcd  
Contact point for further information  convention2005.ifcd@unesco.org  
  
  IP/C/R/TC/AUS/3  
 
- 7 - Name of programme or project  Regional Trade for Development ( "RT4D ") Initiative  
Date and end date  1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; Indonesia; Lao People 's Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; 
Singapore; Thailand; Viet Nam  
Brief description  RT4D will build on the long -running AANZFTA Economic Cooperation Program (AECSP), which Australia and New 
Zealand have funded since 2009. The AUD 36 million AECSP technical assistance investment provided since then 
has delivered high -quality economic research, policy advice and capacity building in sectors covered by the 
AANZFTA Agreement, such as trade in goods, trade in services, investment, intellectual property, and competition 
and consumer protection.  
Beneficiary institution or audie nce ASEAN member States are the audience and official development assistance (ODA) eligible states receive support. 
Non-ODA eligible ASEAN countries fund their own engagement.  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  A mix of Australian, New Zealand and ASEAN member States government agencies and private providers.   
Outputs or impact  Technical assistance and capacity building.  
Website for further information  https://www.dfat.gov.au/about -us/business -opportunities/business -notifications/propos ed-regional -trade -
development -
initiative#:~:text=In%20September%202021%2C%20the%20Prime,)%20and%20ASEAN%2DAustralia%2DNew    
Contact point for further information  Bonita Ko ( bonita.ko@ipaustralia.gov.au ). 
  
  IP/C/R/TC/AUS/3  
 
- 8 - Name of programme or project  AANZFTA Enhancement of Trade Mark Quality Management (Phase 3)  
Date and end date  1 July 2022 - 31 July 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Cambodia; Indonesia; Lao People 's Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; Thailand; Viet Nam  
Brief description  The objective of the project is for beneficiary ASEAN member States (AMS) to gain an in -depth understanding of 
quality and an enhanced capacity to design and implement quality management practices.  
 
Developing the processes, tools and systems to support high quality trademark  examination and predictable 
services is a common challenge to IP Offices. Some AMS IP Offices have  a quality management system in place, 
some are in the process of developing quality management processes and practices, while others are in early stages 
of introducing quality principles into office practice. IP Australia, along with the IP offices of New  Zealand and 
Singapore , is sharing experiences of quality management, with a view to assisting beneficiary ASEAN IP Offices to 
develop their own incremental approach to quality management.  
 
Phase 3 will enable AMS to explore specific quality -based concepts  in more detail, including risk -based product 
sampling, continuous improvement and customer -focused service.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  ASEAN member States (excluding Singapore and Brunei who are not Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible 
but welcome to attend ODA funded workshops).  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  IP Australia is delivering technical assistance, supported by the ASEAN Secretariat and with contributions by the 
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand.  
Outputs or impact  Output 1: A regional workshop is expected to be held in October/November 2022 to provide A SEAN membe r States 
with a refresher from earlier phases; presentations on the effective implementation of quality management 
systems; and insights on specific quality -related subjects.  
 
Output 2: In early 2023, IP Australia would work closely with some AMS who desir e tailored assistance in 
implementing trademark  quality management practices. This customised approach recognises differences between 
IP offices and aims to support smaller offices with the strategy and implementation of quality concepts. Depending 
on the number of interested AMS, IP Australia could collaborate with other partner countries to deliver tailored 
mentoring sessions on a one -to-one basis or in small groups.  
 
Output 3: Final report summarising the findings of phase 3.  
Website for further informa tion https://aanzfta.asean.org/  
Contact point for further information  Bonita Ko ( Bonita.ko@ipaustralia.gov.au ). 
 
 
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