WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
24 October 2012  
 
(12-5804) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
 
AUSTRALIA 
 
Addendum 
   The following communication, dated 11 October 2012, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Australia. 
 
_______________ 
 
 1. Australia is committed to implementing Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, and to sharing 
information with other WTO Members about its incentives and support for technology transfer to 
least developed countries (LDCs).  This report covers the period 2011-12  and is submitted in 
accordance with paragraph one of the Decision of  the Council for TRIPS of 19 February 2003 on 
Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agre ement (IP/C/28), which requires that developed 
country Members submit annual reports on actions take n or planned in pursuance of their obligations 
under Article 66.2. 
2. In this report technology transfer is taken to  include training, education and knowledge.  
Mindful that this is a broad definition, Australia has made an effort to fo cus on incentives for projects 
that include technical or technological components. 
I. AUSTRALIA'S INCENTIVES SYSTEM  
3. Australia's incentives to promote and encourag e technology transfer to least developed 
countries (LDCs) are primarily of a financial nature , consisting of grants a nd other funding to support 
projects that facilitate technology transfer.  The majority of this funding comes from Australia's 
overseas aid programme, which is managed by the Australian Agency for International Development 
(AusAID).   
4. In addition to providing incentives for technology transfer, Australia supports the further 
development of intellectual property (IP) systems in countries in the Asia and Pacific Region, and 
more recently in Africa through cooperation with  the African Regional Intellectual Property 
Organization (ARIPO) (see Australia's report on th e implementation of Article 67 of the TRIPS 
Agreement:  IP/C/W/582/Add.2).  Strong IP systems gi ve the private sector greater confidence that IP 
rights will be protected.  This confidence may en courage their entry into LDC markets and assist 
technology transfer through local employment a nd partnerships with local companies.    
5. Australian Government agencies involved in providing these incentives include AusAID, IP 
Australia, the Australian Centre for International Ag ricultural Research (ACIAR), the Department of IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
Page 2  
 
  Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the National Health and Medical Research Council 
(NHMRC).   
6. Enterprises and institutions eligible for award of grants and other forms of funding to deliver 
projects and activities to facilitate technology tr ansfer include government agencies and public 
institutions, non-government organi sations, independent consultant s and experts, universities and 
more. 
7. It is worth noting that Australian aid has been untied since 2006, allowing non-Australian 
organisations to bid for contracts to supply g oods and services under the bilateral and multilateral 
development assistance programmes.  Consistent with this, Australia's aid-funded incentives for 
technology transfer are not exclusive to Australian institutions and enterprises, but are provided at 
both domestic and intern ational levels.   
8. Technology transfer is best fostered in an environment of good governance.  Australia 
provides extensive governance capacity-building a nd technical assistance to LDCs, including 
programmes aimed at improving economic and financ ial management, strengthening the rule of law 
and justice, increasing public sector effectiveness a nd developing civil society and human rights.  
While these programmes are not a focus of this repor t, Australia considers that they contribute to 
building more conducive environments for technology transfer. 
9. The section that follows provides informati on on the Australia Government's support for 
technology transfer to LDCs by Australian ins titutions and enterprises and includes examples of 
supported projects and activities to illuminate the func tioning in practice of Australia's incentives.  
Although it is not possible to provide an exhaustive account of Australia's work in this area, this 
report provides a representative sample.   
II. AUSTRALIA'S SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO LDCS 
Scholarships 
 
10. Australia considers that the education of LDC nationals at Australian universities and their 
training in the use and management of technological  equipment comprise two of the most effective 
means of transferring technology and knowledge wh ich can then be on-taught and diffused in LDCs.  
Scholarship funding enables citizens of developi ng and least developed countries to undertake study 
in Australia.  In some cases, such as the Aust ralian Leadership Awards Fellowships, Australian 
organisations must apply for funding to deliver  programmes through a competitive grant process. 
AusAID's Australia Awards 
 11. The Australia Awards provide educational, research and professional development 
opportunities to support growth in the region and to bu ild enduring links at the individual, institutional 
and country levels.  Australia Awards are inte nded to strengthen human resource capacity, build 
partnerships and linkages, address regional priority issues and contribute to long-term development 
needs in partner countries.  They include long term awards (e.g.  the Australian Development 
Scholarships and Australian Regional Development Sc holarships) and short term awards such as the 
Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships. 
12. From 2010, Australia Awards managed by AusA ID will provide approximately $A1.7 billion 
over five years to enable students from developing and least developed countries to undertake study at 
Australian tertiary institutions.  Least devel oped countries targeted under these scholarship 
programmes include Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, 
Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Como ros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Djibouti,  IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos PDR, Lesotho, Liberia, 
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moza mbique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, 
Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra  Leone, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Tanzania, 
Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, and Zambia1.  The following table shows the total 
value of scholarships awarded to LDCs in the 2010-11 financial year. 
Australia Awards for LDCs, 2010-11* 
LDC TOTAL VALUE ($A) 
AFGHANISTAN 3,153,648.45  
ANGOLA 63,199.86  
BANGLADESH 9,631,449.05  
BHUTAN 4,313,941.34  
BURKINA FASO 29,472.21  
CAMBODIA  8,416,855.60  
ETHIOPIA 109,856.19  
GAMBIA 835,114.25  
HAITI 19,653.72  
KIRIBATI 5,135,961.23  
LAO PEOPLE'S DEMO CRATIC REPUBLIC 7,489,927.93  
LESOTHO 740,269.31  
LIBERIA 675,083.03  
MALAWI 1,260,365.63  
MALI 157,229.78  
MOZAMBIQUE 2,491,007.04  
MYANMAR 455,298.78  
NEPAL 2,483,056.23  
RWANDA 584,121.51  
SAMOA 4,016,519.66  
SENEGAL 19,653.72  
SIERRA LEONE 583,729.61  
SOLOMON ISLANDS 4,975,542.97  
TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF 2,154,698.35  
TIMOR-LESTE 4,177,131.04  
TUVALU 864,729.13  
UGANDA 2,008,602.32  
VANUATU 3,475,692.49  
ZAMBIA 1,877,972.22  
TOTAL 72,199,782.65  
* Figures for the 2011-12 financial year are pending. 
13. A recent Australian Leadership Awards Fello wships (ALAF) programme offers a good 
illustration of how Australia Awards can function as an  incentive for technology transfer to LDCs.  In 
late 2011, the University of Sydney delivered an ALAF programme for four African countries 
(Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria and Senegal ) on 'Up-scaling technical skills in digital soil mapping for 
the creation and maintenance of functional soil inform ation in the West African sub-region:  a recipe 
for food security and environmental sustainability'.  Six officials ('fellows') participated, including one from Senegal's Institute of Agricu ltural Research.  The fellows, pr edominantly soil scientists and 
academics, came to Australia for two intensive hand s-on training workshops to upscale their skills in 
                                                      
1 In this report, bolding of a country name generally indicates that this country has been designated as a 
Least Developed Country by the United Nations. IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
Page 4  
 
  digital soil mapping and assessment techniques.  The programme included visits to relevant national 
and state agencies in Australia involved with spatial data and information to enable participants to 
learn first-hand the practical aspects of national spatial data infrastructure.  Without ALAF funding, this programme may not have taken place. 
Endeavour Awards 
 14. The Australian Government also funds the End eavour Awards, an internationally competitive, 
merit-based scholarship programme  providing opportunities for citizens of the Asia-Pacific, Middle 
East, Europe and the Americas to undertake st udy, research and professional development in 
Australia.  (Awards are also available for Austra lians to undertake these activities abroad.)  Among 
the aims of the Endeavour Awards are to devel op on-going educational, research and professional 
linkages between individuals, organisations and countries, and to provide opportunities for high-
achieving individuals to increase their skills  and enhance their global awareness.   
15. Endeavour Awards are available to applicants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, 
Cambodia, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Nepal, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, 
Vanuatu  and Yemen , and may be used to support study, research and professional development in 
technical or technological fields.  The amount and dur ation of funding varies according to the type of 
award.  The Endeavour Postgraduate Awards, for example, provide up to $A228,500 over a period of 
up to four years for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and $A118,500 over a period of up to two years for Masters degree, while an Endeavour Executive Aw ard for Professional Development offers up to 
$A18,500 over a period of one to four months.  Th e first table below shows the number of Endeavour 
Awards taken up by LDC applicants in recent years.  The second provides figures on successful 
Endeavour Awards for LDCs by type of award. 
Successful Endeavour Awards accepted by  eligible LDCs from 2010–2012 
 
2010 2011 2012 Total 
AFGHANISTAN 0 2 2 4 
BANGLADESH 20 31 30 81 
BHUTAN 16 39 96 151 
CAMBODIA 3 7 9 19 
HAITI 0 0 0 0 
KIRIBATI 0 0 0 0 
LAO PDR 0 3 5 8 
NEPAL 8 12 11 31 
SAMOA 1 0 1 2 
SOLOMON ISLANDS 5 8 10 23 
TIMOR-LESTE 1 0 1 2 
TUVALU 0 0 0 0 
VANUATU 0 0 0 0 
YEMEN 1 1 0 2 
Total 55 103 165 323  IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
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  Successful Endeavour Awards accepted by eligible LDC  
from 2010–2012 by Award Type: 
 
Type of Award  2010 2011 2012 Total 
Endeavour Postgraduate (PhD) Award 
(up to $A228,000 over four years)  13 22 41 76 
Endeavour Postgraduate (Masters) Award 
(up to $A118,000 over two years)  12 30 39 81 
Endeavour Vocational Educ ation Training  Awards 
(Up to $A119,500 over one to two-and-a-half years) 21 40 77 138 
Endeavour Research Fellowships 
(Up to $A23,500 over four to six months)  2 3 1 6 
Endeavour Executive Awards 
(Up to $A18,500 over one to four months) 7 8 7 28 
Total 55 103 165 329 
Public Sector Linkages Programme and Pa cific Public Sector Linkages Programme 
16. The AusAID-managed Public Sector Linkag es Programme (PSLP) (2011-12 expenditure of 
$A17.6 million) is a competitive grants programme which supports Australian and state/territory 
government agencies (including public universities)  to partner with public sector counterpart 
institutions in the Asia region, India and Latin America.  The sister programme, the Pacific PSLP 
(2011-12 expenditure – $A5.25 million), also provid es funds to Australian government agencies and 
universities to undertake work with Pacific counterparts and regional organisations.   
17. The aims of the programmes are to build capacity  within the public sector of developing and 
least developed countries and foster links betw een Australian and partner agencies.  Supported 
activities can extend for up to three years with available funding of $A50,000 – $A250,000 per 
annum.  Activities cover a wide range of sectors in cluding health, education, agriculture, law and 
justice, financial regulation, infrastructure and resource management.  Assistance is generally 
provided via short term training, workshops, regi onal forums, work secondments (for Australian and 
counterpart officers) and twinning and mentoring arrangements.   
18. Least developed countries including Kiribati, Sa moa, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, 
Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Timor-Leste are beneficiaries of current or forthcoming PSLP-
supported projects that provide technical assistance  and training and facilitate  technology transfer.  
For example, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands are two of four countries participating in a project 
targeting improved food animal securi ty.  In partnership with an Au stralian university, the project is 
enhancing field and laboratory capability in animal health surveillance to allow assessment for trade 
in livestock and animal products.  Another Austra lian university is working with the Bangladeshi 
Agricultural Research Inst itute to improve postharvest and suppl y chain management of vegetables, 
including a tailored programme for government scien tists.  PSLP funds will also support an Australian 
hospital to work with medical staff at a Myanmar hospital.  The project will build skills and capacity 
in resuscitation skills and operative mana gement for severely injured people. 
19. Final rounds for the PSLP closed in March 2012 and approved concepts  are currently being 
finalised.  The Government Partnerships for Deve lopment will replace the Asia and Pacific Public 
Sector Linkages Programmes in 2012-13. IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
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  Australian Centre for Interna tional Agricultural Research 
20. The charter of the Australian Centre for Inte rnational Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is to 
commission research that achieves more productive  and sustainable agricultural systems for the 
benefit of developing countries and Australia thr ough international agricultural research and training 
partnerships.  Australian and intern ational scientists are encouraged to  use their skills for the benefit 
of developing countries.  Australia is a world lead er in agricultural research , and much of Australian 
scientists' expertise is relevant to challenges en countered in countries across the Asia-Pacific and 
beyond.  Total ODA for ACIAR in 2011-12 was estimated  at $A82.5 million, and in 2011-12 ACIAR 
projects were in place in the following LDCs: Burundi ; Ethiopia ; Malawi ; Mali ; Mozambique ; 
Rwanda ; Uganda ; United  Republic of Tanzania ; Afghanistan ; Bangladesh ; Bhutan ; Cambodia ; 
Kiribati ; Lao People's Democratic Republic ; Myanmar ; Nepal ; Samoa ; Solomon Islands ; 
Timor-Leste ; and Vanuatu . 
21. As an example of an ACIAR programme that  is facilitating technology development and 
transfer within and among LDCs, ACIAR has commissioned the $A22 million research programme 'Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume cr opping systems for food security in Eastern and 
Southern Africa' (SIMLESA) to increase food s ecurity and incomes and economic development 
through improved productivity from more resilient and sustainable maize-based farming systems.  
Focal countries of this partnership programme include LDCs Ethiopia , Kenya, Malawi , 
Mozambique  and Tanzania , with organized transfer of technologies to South Sudan , Rwanda , 
Uganda  and Botswana.  A Queensland state government  department and two  Australian universities 
(Murdoch and Queensland)  are collaborating on th e programme, which aims to improve maize and 
legume productivity and resilience th rough participatory research and de velopment with all levels of 
the production and value chain.  Within two years of start-up in 2010, 215 exploratory and thirteen on-station trials have been estab lished, and short course training has been provided to 150 scientists 
and technicians.  Earlier this year the SIMLESA programme in Ethiopia  was doubled in size with 
AusAID providing funding to broaden the r esearch topics covered and provide additional 
international and Australian research expertise to the programme. 
22. Another example is the $A14.8 million, five-y ear 'Rice-based System Research Programme' 
for Lao PDR , Cambodia  and Bangladesh , which explores opportunities to alleviate poverty through 
improving the productivity and profitability of rice-based farming systems.  Projects taking place under this programme span crop and livestock deve lopment; best practice management; technological 
advances; new cropping niches; targeted marketing and extension; and alternative evidence-based 
policy options.  Building the capacity of indivi duals and institutions by establishing effective 
collaborative relationships and fac ilitating knowledge sharing is a 'c ore strategy' of the programme, 
and lead organisations and delivery partners include a number of Australian universities and 
institutions. 
23. The $A25 million, five-year 'Seeds of Life project' (part III) for Timor-Leste  is another 
ACIAR project that aims to improve food security through increased productivit y of major foodcrops.  
An Australian university has been commissioned to lead the project, which aims to establish the 
foundations of a national seed system in Timor-Leste to provide a high level of access to improved varieties of seed to farmers throughout the country .  The project includes capacity-building training 
activities and farmers are directly involved in testing seed varieties and helping choose which 
varieties should be released and distributed.  By the end of 2015, around 81,000 farmers 
(approximately 71 per cent of farmers in Timor- Leste) will have access to Seeds of Life seed 
varieties.  IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
 Page 7 
 
 
  African Food Security Initiative (AFSI) 
 
24. AusAID and the Commonwealth Scientific a nd Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 
Australia's national science agency, have formed a $A32 million, four-year research partnership to 
foster long term change in Africa's agriculture sector.  The research partnership is about helping 
African research institutes and African farmers so lve Africa's agriculture and livestock challenges.  
CSIRO is leading the partnership research with two African institutions: the West and Central African 
Council for Agricultural Research and Developm ent (CORAF/WECARD), which coordinates and 
facilitates research in West and Central Africa, and  Biosciences eastern and central Africa (the BecA 
Hub), a Bioscience research centre managed by and hosted at the International Livestock Research 
Institute (ILRI) in East and Central Africa. 
25. The research focus has been designed by A frican agricultural stakeholders and farmers 
working with African research institutes together with CSIRO's world class expertise in biosciences 
and tropical farming systems.  The research project s align with the priorities of the Comprehensive 
Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP ), the agricultural development framework of 
the African Union's New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). 
26. The research projects reflect farmer needs and the importance of agricultural farming systems, 
human nutrition and animal health.  Australian scienti sts offer important skills due to the very strong 
similarities between Australia and the sub-humid to semi-arid zones across sub-Saharan Africa in 
terms of climate and soils.  CSIRO's scientists provide world class expertise in farming systems, nutrition science and livestock health.  Through CO RAF/WECARD and BecA, CSIRO's scientists are 
supporting over 30 African institutions across 35 countries. 
27. The partnership model developed and impl emented by CSIRO has supported increased 
linkages between CSIRO, AusAID in Accra and Nair obi, and African collaborators.  This new model 
is generating improvements in project design and quality of the science, bringing new perspectives and networks in biosciences, improving communicati ons and developi ng pathways to impact.   
AFSI Research Projects 
28. Thirteen research projects have  commenced under the AFSI.  Overall the projects deliver into 
18 countries ( Benin , Burkina Faso , Burundi , Cameroon, Chad , Congo, Democratic Republic of 
(DRC ), Kenya, Gambia , Ghana, Mali , Niger , North Sudan , Nigeria, Rwanda , Senegal , South 
Sudan , Tanzania  and Uganda ) and involve over 100 partners ranging from African universities, 
national agricultural/veterinary agencies, sub-region al agencies, regional part ners, and international 
organisations, as well as NGOs and agribusiness partners 
29.
 CSIRO and CORAF/WECARD are working toge ther to support the development of a 
programme of farming systems and animal health  research and development and related capacity 
building for West and Central Africa.   In th ese regions the programme is addressing agricultural 
issues in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon,  Benin , Ghana  and Gambia .  These 
regions share remarkably similar climate and soils to large agro-ecological zones in Australia, where 
CSIRO has significant farming systems expertise.  CSIRO is working with the national research institutes, NGOs and farmer groups to improve production by assessing potential innovations in 
cropping and livestock markets.  The projects include:  
 Understanding the roadblocks to adoption of improved seed varieties in West Africa, enabling 
farmers to grow more grain – Mali , Burkina Faso , Ghana, Cameroon (US$1.3 million) 
 Sustainable integration of cereal-livestock tree systems to improve income and yields for 
smallholder farmers – Niger , Burkina Faso , Mali , Senegal , Cameroon (US$2.08 million) IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
Page 8  
 
   Sustainable integration of crops and livestoc k to improve productivity, income and reduce 
risk for households – Burkina Faso , Senegal , Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad (US$2.08 million)  
 Integrated dual-purpose legumes into farming sy stems to improve nitrogen nutrition in crops 
and protein n animals – Ghana,  Benin, Mali, Gambia  (US$1.2 million) 
 Sustainable intensification of tress in farmi ng systems to diversify incomes and improve 
environmental outcomes for smallholder farmers – Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Niger  
(US$2.5 million) 
 
 Integrated approached to controlling tick borne diseases to improve livestock production and 
in inform policies and national legal frameworks – Benin, Burkina Faso , Cameroon 
(US$500,000). 
30. The research projects align producers and end user s at the centre of research and incorporate 
socio-economic, agronomic and bio-physical science as well as training for farmers and researchers in 
project development and design. 
31. CSIRO and BecA are working together to s upport the development of a programme of 
biosciences and animal health nutrition research and development and related capacity building for 
East and Central Africa.  The focus of the partners hip is to enhance research and building capacity in 
both the improvement of food and nutritional secur ity via improved nutritional quality of foods, 
increased uptake of nutritional foods across the valu e chain and improved approaches for management 
and treatment of priority animal diseases for su b-Saharan Africa.  The research is focused on 
addressing these issues in Tanzania , Kenya, Uganda , Burundi , Cameroon and the  DRC .  Research 
projects include: 
 Domestic cavies [guinea pigs]: improving production, nutritional protein and income for 
women and teenagers – Cameroon, the DRC , Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire (US$ 844,000) 
 Indigenous edible mushrooms: exploring opport unities for domestication to diversify nutrition 
and increase income for women – Kenya, Tanzania , Burundi  (US$660,000) 
 Addressing aflotoxin contamination in East A frica: improving livelihoods of more than 
11 million small holder farmers – Kenya, Tanzania  (US$2.1 million) 
 African swine fever: reducing the disease risks and impact benefiting smallholder farmers in 
more than 20 countries across Africa – Kenya, Uganda , Cameroon (US$925,000) 
 Amaranth: adding nutrition to African diets and improving income for women through low 
cost sustainable processing and ma rketing opportunities – Kenya, Tanzania  (US$657,000). 
 
The Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund 
 32. Through the AFSI, BecA and CSIRO formali sed the Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund 
(ABCF) to support and build critical research capab ility in African institutions.  The success and 
influence of the ABCF is demonstrated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundati on's agreement to fund 
two research projects through BecA that originat ed via the ABCF.  Other initiatives such as the 
African Women in Agricultural Research and Development Programme (AWARD), the Association 
for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East ern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and the United 
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are now investing in the ABCF 
by co-financing the placement of African scientists at the BecA Hub, demonstrating the impact of 
AusAID's initial funding of the ABCF.    IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
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  33. The ABCF provides scientists and science graduate students from African national research 
institutes and universities access to the world-class biosciences facilities at the BecA Hub.  It is a 
competitive fund which supports short or long-term fe llowships, pilot project grants and training.  
This includes significant capacity strengthening activities including training workshops, short courses involving Australian research experts and fellows hip placements as well as increased efforts in 
communication activities in Australia and Africa.  Ca pacity on the ground has increased considerably 
and the ABCF has attracted over 2000 applications fo r the various capacity building workshops held 
in Nairobi and Addis Ababa.  A total of 98 recipi ents have attended these training workshops to date, 
and BecA will accommodate about 50 Fellows at th e Hub in this calendar year (2012).  Research and 
capacity building through the ABCF is being achieved via three streams:  
 hands-on training workshops;  
 fellowships for African scientists to undertake research at the Hub;  
 visits by Hub scientists to BecA countries fo r institutional capacity building, to raise 
awareness of the Hub, and to iden tify regional needs and talents. 
 
'Cotton 4' Project 
 
34. In 2011 the Australian Government commissione d CSIRO to develop and deliver the 'Cotton 
4' project for Mali , Benin , Burkina Faso  and Chad .  Under this $A200,000 project, a multi-
disciplinary team of Australian scientists are wo rking with research, extension and agribusiness 
participants from West and Central Africa to incr ease their knowledge and skills in Australian cotton 
production systems.  The participants have undertaken  training in Africa and also visited Australia to 
learn directly from Australian cotton growers throug h visiting local cotton farms, research stations, 
and agribusiness organisations.  The learning exchange programme includes training on: 
 the cotton plant and its physiology 
 best management practices in cotton agronom y, as based on the Australian Cotton Industry's 
Best Management Practices guidelines  
 cotton seed production and storage 
 using systems modelling to simulate scenario s for cotton production in West and Central 
Africa. 
35. At the end of the learning exchange programme , participants will share their knowledge and 
skills through conducting training sessions for farm ers and industry representatives in West and 
Central Africa to improve their cotton yields, par ticularly through improved cotton seed production.   
36. In developing the project CSRIO worked cl osely with CORAF/WECARD and the Economic 
Community of West African States to ensure that  the programme would meet the needs of the four 
countries involved.   
Cambodia Agricultural Value Chain Programme 
 
37. AusAID funding of $A48 million is supporting the 
Cambodia  Agricultural Value Chain 
Programme (CAVAC) (2007-2014), which aims to in crease farmer incomes in rice-based farming 
systems by accelerating growth in the value of ag ricultural production.  CAVAC strengthens market 
connections that promote greater investment and add value along specific product value chains that 
link suppliers to farmers and farmers to consumers.  CAVAC provides assistance in four areas 
(agribusiness, water management and irrigation,  research and extension, and business enabling 
environment) in the provinces of Kampot, Take o and Kampong Thom.  CAVAC not only builds on IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
Page 10  
 
  past achievements, it reflects what Australia has learnt from over 20 years of engagement in 
Cambodia's agriculture sector as well as the cha nging context of agriculture in Cambodia.  In 
conjunction with ACIAR, CAVAC is conducting four large research programmes to improve rice and 
vegetable seed production, growing techniques an d water management, which are well underway to 
help Cambodian research institut es ensure the agricultural sector c ontinues to innovate and remain 
competitive in the long term. 
The International Plant Health Programme (Asia-Pacific) 
 
38. The Australian Government's International Plant Health Programme (IPHP) continues to 
engage biosecurity counterparts in the Asia-Pacific  to strengthen regional biosecurity and quarantine 
capacity through the delivery of plant surveillance activities, remote microscopy diagnostics, plant 
pest diagnostic training and biosecurity strengthening activities.  Timor-Leste  and the Solomon 
Islands  (as well as Papua New Guinea) have major cap acity constraints which impede delivery of 
their core plant health and quarantine functions.  These include limited t echnical surveillance and 
diagnostic capabilities, limited access to surveilla nce and diagnostic equi pment and limited data 
management and analysis capabilities.  The IPHP  continues to identify and address these capacity 
constraints through the delivery of collaborativ e surveillance, diagnostic  and operational support 
activities.   
39. Recent activities undertaken by Australia thr ough the IPHP and involving LDCs include: 
 Plant Health Surveillance Activity and Plan t Pest Diagnostic Training covering plant 
pathology conducted in Timor-Leste  in May 2012; 
 Plant Health Surveillance Activity, Cocoa Pod Border Survey and Plant Pest Diagnostic 
Training conducted in the Solomon Islands  in February 2012; 
 Plant Health Surveillance Activities in various provinces in Papua New Guinea  in July and 
October 2011 and a Remote Microscopy Equipmen t Installation in July 2011, which included 
participants from LDCs ( Timor-Leste  and the Solomon Islands ) 
 Plant Pest Diagnostic Training covering plant pathology, entomology and botany conducted 
in Indonesia in February 2012, which include d participants from LDCs (Timor-Leste and the 
Solomon Islands). 
40. These surveillance and diagnostics activities were  funded primarily through AusAID with 
additional equipment and 'in-kind' scientific and technical support being provided by Australia's 
Department of Agriculture, Fish eries and Forestry (DAFF).  IPHP activities planned for late 2012 
include Remote Microscopy Training and Coco a Pod Borer Surveillance and Data Collection 
Training to be held in the Solomon Islands  in October. 
Regional plant and animal health capac ity building for ASEAN and the Pacific 
 41. With financial support from the Economic Cooperation Support Programme (ECSP) 
resourced by Australia in association with the A SEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement 
(AANZFTA), Australia is leading a project to de velop an ASEAN Regional Diagnostic Network for 
plant pests and diseases.  This will provide plant health and quarantine agencies in all south-east 
Asian countries with access to diagnostic skills r esiding in other ASEAN countries, Australia and 
New Zealand.  LDCs such as Myanmar, Lao PDR  and Cambodia  stand to reap maximum advantage 
because they have few diagnostic experts or specialis t laboratories of their own.  The project provides 
a new framework for utilisation of technologies  such as remote microscopy and molecular 
diagnostics.  The Queensland Department of Agricult ure, Fisheries and Forestry, the Plant Biosecurity 
Cooperative Research Centre, CSIRO and the University  of Adelaide will assist with delivery of the 
project.  IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
 Page 11 
 
 
  42. All ASEAN countries were invited to a diagnos tics training workshop on pest nematodes in 
Bangkok in May 2011, with follow-up field training and mentoring in the Vientiane area, Lao PDR , 
in February 2012.  Three LDCs were invited to pa rticipate, with Lao PDR taking up the opportunity.  
The training was delivered jointly by Australian a nd Thai specialists and supported by the AANZFTA 
ECSP. 
43. Funding from AusAID's Sanitary and Phytosan itary (SPS) Capacity Building Programme, the 
AANZFTA ECSP and AusAID's Public Sector Linkag es Programme (PSLP) has been used to procure 
high resolution microscopes, remote microscopy and other imaging equipment to assist plant pest and disease diagnostics in several ASEAN countries, including Lao PDR  and Cambodia .   
44. Australia led an advanced training workshop  on managing phytosanitary risk in Kuala 
Lumpur in January 2012.  Most ASEAN countries, including Lao PDR , Myanmar  and Cambodia , 
attended.  The training was delivered by expert s from DAFF and resourced by AusAID's Public 
Sector Linkages Programme. 
Fisheries Management in South East Asia 
45. In 2011 DAFF commissioned Australia-based expert consultants to undertake a $A150,000 
study on 'Net Returns – A Human Capacity Develo pment Framework for Marine Capture Fisheries 
Management in South East Asia'.  The overarching purpose was to facilitate knowledge transfer to the 
eleven countries that participate in the 'Regiona l Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing 
Practices including Combating Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing in the Region' (RPOA).  
These include Cambodia  and Timor-Leste , and the Solomon Islands  is an observer.  The project 
was targeted to inform fisheries management  agencies, development assistance donor agencies, 
technical institutions and others involved in fisher ies sector capacity development on the priorities to 
strengthen marine capture fisheries management at the provincial, regional and national levels. 
National Health and Medical Research C ouncil Grants Targeting Global Health 
46. The National Health and Medical Research C ouncil (NHMRC), Australia's leading funding 
agency promoting the development and maintenan ce of public and individual  health standards, 
provides financial incentives for international researc h collaborations, including with researchers in 
LDCs, through project grants targeting global h ealth.  In 2011, NHMRC allocated approximately 
$A13.5 million for projects focusing specifically on hea lth issues in developing countries in Asia and 
the Pacific.  Two grants with a combined value of approximately $A3.45 million were awarded to an 
Australian university for projects focused on an LDC ( Bangladesh ). 
47. The grants targeting global health are intended to encourage research collaborations focusing 
on the health and medical research needs of deve loping and least developed countries, and thereby 
enable the technological exchange needed to im prove health outcomes in those countries.  
Applications must be for research that addresses majo r health burdens in developing countries in Asia 
and the Pacific and the research must centre in the developing country.  Applications must also detail 
plans for involving researchers in those countries. 
The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases 
48. The NHMRC is a current member of the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), 
which supports international and interdisciplinary collaborations in research focusing on chronic non-
communicable diseases.  Work of the GACD fo cuses on the needs of Low and Middle Income 
Countries (LMICs) and on low income populations in  more developed countries.  In 2011, NHMRC 
committed $A5 million for research on the implem entation of programmes designed to control and 
prevent hypertension and reduce the associated di sease burden in target communities.  One grant IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
Page 12  
 
  (approximate value $A1 million) was awarded to  an Australian university research project on 
reducing salt intake in Fiji and LDC Samoa .   
Cambodia Delivering Better Health Project 
49. AusAID is providing $A104 million for the Cambodia  Delivering Better Health Project 
(2007-2016) involving knowledge transf er activities to the health sector.  The project is intended to 
deliver strengthened health systems and training fo r midwives and health care workers.  Anticipated 
outcomes include reduced maternal and child morta lity and improved access by the poor to health 
services, health insurance and other essential services.  Australian partners involved in the project include NGOs CARE Australia, Save the Children Au stralia, Marie Stopes International Australia, as 
well as the University of Sydney and the Nossal Institut e for Global Health based at the University of 
Melbourne. 
Periodic Funding for Humanitarian  Assistance to Burma/Myanmar 
50. AusAID's Periodic Funding for Hu manitarian Assistance to Burma/ Myanmar  (PFHAB) is a 
$A12 million NGO cooperation agreement established in 2007 and continuing until 2014.  Through 
PFHAB, Australian NGOs are being funded to deliver  projects focusing on health, livelihoods and 
strengthening local civil society in Myanmar.  One of these is 'Mobilising Community Capacities for 
Health' (approx.  $A2.3 million over six years), a pr oject being implemented by CARE Australia that 
delivers specialised capacity building training to im prove health knowledge and practices of targeted 
communities.  Another is 'Strengthening HIV Res ponses through Partnership'  (approx.  $A2.3 million 
over six years) a project being delivered by the Burn et Institute, that aims to strengthen the technical 
capacity of selected civil society partners to be  able to deliver quality HIV prevention, care and 
support programmes through capacity building training, coaching, mentoring and technical assistance, 
enhancement of networ ks and advocacy to strengthen networks.   
Research for Development Alliance 
51. The CSIRO-AusAID Research for Development Al liance is a strategic partnership that aims 
to improve the impact of aid.  With AusAID funding of approximately $A 19.5 million, the Alliance 
aims to tackle important development challe nges in the Asia-Pacific region through improved 
knowledge of climate, water and energy systems and by better understanding people's vulnerabilities 
and options to adapt and manage their natural environment.   
52. One Alliance project being delivered to an LDC is the $A2.27 million (approx.) Bangladesh  
Integrated Water Resourc es Assessment.  This joint project involves CSIRO in Australia and the 
Bangladeshi Water Resources Planning Organisation, the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the 
Institute of Water Modelling Bangladesh Institute  of Development Studies and the Centre for 
Environmental and Geographic Information Services in Bangladesh.   
53. The project is addressing knowledge gaps identified in Bangladesh's National Water 
Management Plan in climate change impacts, gr oundwater resources at the national scale, and how 
surface water and groundwater resources interact.  Bringing together hydrological, hydro-geological, 
socio-economic, climatic and social data into a spat ial model, the project team is assessing the impact 
of climate change scenarios and exploring developm ent scenarios to inform policy options for a more 
equitable and economically efficient use of Banglad esh's water resources.  The project is increasing 
the capacity of local and national water institutions  to carry out an integrated water resources 
assessment; downscale the future climate data and assess the impact of climate change; apply 
advanced remote sensing technologies for water demand assessment; and assess large-scale 
groundwater resources.  IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
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  Australia-Africa Community Engagement Scheme 
54. The Australia-Africa Community Engagement  Scheme ($A90 million) is a scheme for 
partnering with Australian NGOs to support their wo rk in Africa, including a number of programmes 
on food security and climate change.  For the period 2011-16 these include: 
 an ActionAid Australia programme in Kenya and the Uganda  to support farmers to increase 
sustainable crop yields and build ability to in fluence government climate change programmes. 
 an Australian Foundation for the Peoples of As ia and the Pacific (AFAP) programme in 
Malawi , Mozambique  and Zimbabwe to support sustainable agriculture, improve women's 
and children's access to health services and provide access to safe water. 
 A CARE Australia programme to support women in Ethiopia , Malawi , and Tanzania  to 
grow sustainable crops, access financial services, and develop strategies to reduce the impact 
of climate change on livelihoods. 
 A Caritas Australia programme to provide acces s to clean water, support poor farmers to 
increase food production, and protect land an d water from climate change impacts in Malawi  
and Tanzania . 
International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative 
55. The International Climate Change Adaptation In itiative (ICCAI), which is jointly managed by 
the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and AusAID, is providing $A328.2 million 
over five years (2008-13) to fund programmes and activities that assist vulnerable countries, 
particularly small island states a nd developing and least developed countries, adapt to the unavoidable 
impacts of climate change.  One of the objectives of  the initiative is to 'improve scientific information 
and understanding, including where appropriate, through technology transfer'.  In recent years ICCAI 
funding has supported a number of projects involving scientific training, capacity building and knowledge transfer to LDCs. 
56. One such programme is the $A32 million Pacific-Australia Climate Change Science and 
Adaptation Planning (PACCSAP) programme, which is being delivered in partnership with a number 
of organisations including Australia's Bureau of  Meteorology (BOM) and CSIRO.   Building on the 
work of the $A20 million Pacific Climate Change  Science Programme im plemented in 2008-2012, 
PACCSAP aims to develop the capacity of scientists, decision-makers and planners from 14 Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste to access and apply climate information and tools to identify and 
develop in-country adaptation responses.   Partner countries include LDCs Timor-Leste, Kiribati, 
Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu .  The PACCSAP also works in close 
cooperation with regional Pacific organisations, the German international de velopment agency as well 
as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.    
Community-based Climate Change Action Grants 
57. AusAID is providing approximately $A34 million in grants to Australian and international 
non-government organisations in the Pacific, Timor-Leste
, the Philippines and Viet Nam under the 
Community-based Climate Change Action Grants Pr ogramme.  The programme is helping to build 
the resilience of communities to the impacts of cl imate change through community-based disaster risk 
reduction, food and water security, agricultu ral productivity and ecosystem-based adaptation 
activities.  Under this programme, support has been provided for projects in LDCs in the Pacific and 
Southeast Asia, including Timor-Leste , Kiribati , Solomon  Islands , Tuvalu  and Vanuatu .  Most 
projects have a small component dedicated to the tr ansfer of small-scale technologies, such as climate 
resilient agricultural technologies to improve long-term food security. IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
Page 14  
 
  III. AUSTRALIAN SUPPORT FOR MULTI LATERAL ORGANISATIONS AND 
INITIATIVES FACILITATING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
58. In addition to offering incentives and support for Australian institutions and enterprises to 
transfer technology to LDCs, the Australian Gove rnment provides funding and technical support to a 
number of multilateral organisations and initiatives that facilitate tec hnology transfer to developing 
and least developed countries.  The fo llowing paragraphs provide examples. 
Australia-WIPO Funds-in-Trust 
59. Promotion of technology transfer is a priori ty theme of the Australia-World Intellectual 
Property Organization (WIPO) Funds-in-Trust, established in June 2012 with a $A2 million 
contribution from Australia.  The Australian Funds-i n-Trust will help LDCs and developing countries 
develop skills for negotiating technology transfer a nd assist them to find appropriate technologies and 
collaborative or commercial partners to acquire technical scientific research skills.  Customised 
modular training will be provided to participating countries. 
60. As well as providing a modular training programme, the Australian Funds-in-Trust 
programme envisages a research component leading to the development of a Technology Transfer 
Toolbox.  The Toolbox would contain pro-form a documents to assist technology transfer and 
commercialisation efforts, such as a Model IP Policy, a Confidentiality Agreement template, a 
Material Transfer Agreement template and a Research Collaboration Agreement template and accompanying guidance notes.  It would be made available to countries where modular training was delivered. 
61. Addressing neglected tropical diseases is another priority for the Australian Funds-in-Trust, 
which will provide support to the WIPO Re:Search, a consortium in which public and private sector 
organisations share intellectual property and expert ise with the global health research community to 
promote development of new drugs, vaccines and diagnostics to treat neglected tropical diseases, 
malaria and tuberculosis.  The objective is to assist  WIPO to effectively use IP to address a global 
health challenge which affects many LDCs.  A fu rther allied objective is to promote technology 
transfer for scientists, particularly those fro m LDCs.  The Australian Funds-in-Trust will support 
research scientists in undertaking placements with private sector companie s while they research 
neglected tropical diseases, malaria and tuberculosis.   
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation 
62. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is a public research 
organisation and the centre of Australian nuclear e xpertise.  ANSTO provides expert scientific and 
technical policy advice to the Australian Government in relation to all matters within the ambit of 
nuclear science and technology, and supports the Government in undertaking its regional and 
international role and obligati ons.  ANSTO undertakes projects, including with LDCs, to share 
knowledge and know-how and transf er technology regarding the safe and peaceful use of nuclear 
technology. 
63. ANSTO participates in projects under the Foru m for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA), 
most notably through leadership of a project on Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Nuclear Facilities (2009-14).  The FNCA SMS project is a cooperative effort between developed and 
developing countries, including LDCs such as Bangladesh , to identify and share key aspects of safety 
management systems for nuclear facilities, such as  research reactors, in order to help achieve 
improved safety at such facilities.  It does this by  developing peer review methodologies for nuclear 
safety management and then, by mutual agreement,  performing peer reviews at designated institutes 
in project countries.    IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
 Page 15 
 
 
  64. ANSTO has also provided assistance to neighbo uring countries in establishing the capability 
to securely manage radioactive sources, working in Cambodia, Vietnam, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, 
Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Thailand from 2004 to the present.  The Regional Security of Radioactive Sources (RSRS) Project helps South E ast Asian and Pacific countries, including least 
developed countries such as Cambodia , to develop the capacity for and begin implementation of 
regulatory, safety and security requirements to ensu re radioactive sources used in medicine, industry, 
education and research are managed securely acco rding to international best practice.   
65. The primary means through which the RSRS pr oject is being delivered is via national 
awareness seminars and training courses; work shops; peer-reviews; regional meetings and 
conferences; the provision of radiation detecti on equipment; and support fo r activities subsequently 
conducted by counterpart organisati ons.  ANSTO provides experts and trainers for the workshops and 
missions, as well as sponsorship for the hosting of such events. 
66. ANSTO also participates more broadly in the transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful 
purposes under the Technical Cooperation Programme of the International Atomic Energy Agency, 
and particularly through the associated Regiona l Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development 
and Training Related to Nuclear Science a nd Technology for Asia and the Pacific. 
National Measurement Institute 
67. The National Measurement Institute (NMI) within  the Department of Industry, Innovation, 
Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISR TE) serves as Australia's representative to peak 
international and regional forums in metrology (me asurement science).  In this capacity NMI is a 
member of, and lead player in, two peak regional metrology bodies: the Asia Pacific Legal Metrology 
Forum (APLMF) and the Asia-Pacific Metrology  Programme (APMP), which involve 20-25 
economies from the Asia Pacific including devel oping and least developed economies.  NMI experts 
have been actively involved in technology tran sfer activities under the auspices of APMP and 
APLMF as well as bilateral and multilateral technical  assistance projects and training.  The projects 
have primarily been aimed at developing scientif ic measurement and legal metrology capabilities and 
providing expert advice and consultancies to coun terpart national metrology institutes and legal 
metrology authorities.  NMI experts have also b een involved in technology transfer activities 
through the APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum.   
International Renewable Energy Agency 
68. The Department of Resources, Energy and Tour ism (RET) leads the Australian Government's 
engagement with the International Renewable Ener gy Agency (IRENA).  IRENA is a treaty level 
organisation founded in 2009 with a mission to prom ote the increased adoption and sustainable use of 
all forms of renewable energy technologies.  IRENA has 159 Members including 158 States and the 
European Union.  Australia ratified the IREN A Treaty on 6 January 2011 and participates as a 
Member of the IRENA Council.  The Council consider s IRENA's future work programme and budget.  
In 2012 IRENA managed a US$16 million core budget.   
69. IRENA aims to inform and share policy advi ce and technology information to developing 
countries to allow them to employ renewable energy  technologies to contribute to the sustainable 
development of those countries.  Since 2011 IRE NA has been developing its knowledge management 
services and implementing capacity building pr ogrammes for both Africa and the small island 
countries of the Pacific.  IRENA has also releas ed several in-depth repor ts on technology costs, 
electricity storage in small island states and access  to renewable energy jobs.  Australia's annual 
mandatory contribution supports the IRENA budget in the delivery of its stated objectives.   IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
Page 16  
 
  Climate Technology Initiative 
70. RET also provides annual funding of €15,000 fo r the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) and 
is a member of the Executive Committee.  CTI is a multilateral initiative, operating as an Implementing Agreement under the International En ergy Agency (IEA) which aims to foster 
international co-operation in the accelerated deve lopment and diffusion of  climate-friendly and 
environmentally sound technologies and practices with a focus on developing countries and countries 
in transition.  The principal activities of the CT I are: technology needs assessments; seminars and 
symposia; implementation activities; training courses; and information dissemination.   
71. The CTI works closely with the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change 
(UNFCCC) process, relevant IEA Implementing Agreements, Renewable Energy and Energy 
Efficiency Partnership and other international organi sations and has had an important role in creating 
the enabling environments that allow for intern ational technology cooperation, this includes 
addressing market barriers to private sector investment and the deployment of technology.   
72. As part of its implementation activities, CTI has established the Private Finance Advisory 
Network (PFAN).  The PFAN is an alliance of privat e sector companies with an interest in providing 
financing and financing services to climate friendly projects, particularly low emission technologies 
within developing countries.  PFAN focuses its ac tivities on three regions: Asia, Latin America and 
Africa.  Participants include specialist investment  funds and institutional i nvestors.  PFAN provides 
coaching and technical assistance to project develope rs in developing and transition countries to assist 
them in the preparation of project financing pr oposals meeting the standards of the international 
finance community.  PFAN currently has 161 project s in the development pipeline which together 
have a potential to reduce CO2 emissions by seven million tonnes annually and leverage 
approximately US$4.9 billion. 
The Clean Energy Ministerial 
73. The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) was launche d by the United States (US) Government in 
2009 to bring together Ministers and stakeholde rs from major economies to promote policies and 
programmes that advance clean energy technology, a nd to share lessons learned and best practices.  
The Minister for Resources and Energy, together w ith staff from RET, represents Australia at the 
CEM.   Australia is a member of seven of  the fourteen clean energy initiatives, namely: 
 Clean Energy Solutions Centre (CESC) (see more information below) 
 Carbon Capture Use and Storage Action Group (CCUS) 
 Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Women's Initiative (C3E) 
 Multilateral Solar and Wind Working Group  
 International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) 
 Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment Initiative (SEAD) 
 Global Superior Energy Performance Partnership (GSEP). 
Clean Energy Solutions Centre  
74. Australia co-leads the Clean Energy Solutions Ce ntre (CESC) with the US.  The CESC is an 
online knowledge sharing platform showcasing best pr actice clean energy policies, data and analysis, 
and fostering policy innovation.   The CESC is inte nded as a regularly evolving platform that supports 
policy makers with the development of clean energy policy frameworks.    IP/C/W/580/Add.2 
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  75. RET works closely with the US's National Renewable Energy Laboratory  to develop the 
CESC, ensuring it does not duplicate existing online resources in the clean energy space but rather 
complements, and where possible leverages, exis ting platforms such as the International Energy 
Agency's Policies and Measures Databases.  The CESC offers resources and services appropriate to a global audience but recognises the importance of tailo red information addressing regional issues.  The 
CESC's 'Ask on Expert' service offers  policy makers the opportunity to  engage with experienced clean 
energy and energy efficiency professionals to a ddress specific policy issues.  The Ask an Expert 
service has provided advice to representatives from over twenty countries, assisting them develop policies to better absorb clean energy te chnologies within their energy systems. 
 
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