IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
27 October 2016  
(16-5919) Page: 1/26 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects  
of Intellectual Property Rig hts Original: English  
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEM ENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEME NT 
UNITED  STATES  OF AMERICA  
Addendum  
 
The following communication, dated 18 October 2016 , from the d elegation of the United States, is 
being circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision  on Im plementation of Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement (IP/C/28).  
 
_______________  
 
 
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  1 
2   GENERAL TECHNOLOGY T RANSFER PROGRAMMES, INC ENTIVES, AND 
PARTNERSHIPS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  2 
3   EDUCATIONAL AND UNIV ERSITY -LED PROGRAMMES  ................................ ..................  4 
4   COMMERCIAL AND LEGAL  PROGRAM MES TO STRENGTHEN CA PACITY  .........................  5 
5   INTELLECTUAL PROPERT Y PROTECTION AND ENF ORCEMENT CAPACITY 
BUILDING  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
6   TRADE AND INVESTMENT  POLICY, CAPACITY BUIL DING, AND INCENTIVES  ...............  9 
7   DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMM ING AND INCENTIVES T HROUGH PRIVATE 
SECTOR MODELS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  11 
8   PROGR AMMES AND INCENTIVES  RELATED TO AGRICULTU RAL DEVELOPMENT 
AND FOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY ................................ ................................ .................  12 
9   PROGRAMING AND INCEN TIVES RELATED TO ENE RGY DEVELOPMENT  .....................  17 
10   PROGRAMING AND INCEN TIVES RELATED TO ENV IRONMENTAL 
PROTECTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  19 
11   PROGRAMMING AND INCE NTIVES RELATED TO HE ALTH  ................................ .........  22 
12   PROGRAMMING AND INCE NTIVES RELATED TO BU ILDING LABOUR 
CAPACITY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  25 
13   PROGRAMMES AND INCEN TIVES RELATED TO TRA NSPORTATION  ..........................  25 
 
1  INTRODUCT ION 
1.  The United States is committed to continually enhancing its activities pursuant to Article 66.2 of 
the TRIPS Agreement, and reporting those activities, in keeping with the guidelines established in 
the TRIPS Council 's Decision of 20 February 2003 (IP/C /28). Consistent with this decision, 
developed country members shall provide yearly reports  to least developed country (LDC) 
Members on actions taken or planned in pursuance of the commitments of developed countries 
under Article 66.2 to provide incentives  to enterprises and institutions in their territories for the IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  purpose of promoting and encouraging technology transfer to least developed country Members, in 
order to enable them to create a sound and viable technological base.  
2.  The intellectual property (I P), trade capacity, training, development assistance, educational, 
financing, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure -related programmes described in this report are 
integral elements of the efforts of the United States to support LDCs in fostering the necess ary 
environment to encourage the effective, voluntary transfer of technology to LDC Members. No 
report can represent every activity that directly or indirectly incentivizes enterprises and 
institutions for the purpose of promoting and encouraging technolog y transfer, but this report 
attempts to describe the most significant activities and programmes and to convey the breadth 
and depth of US efforts.  
3.  Much of the US Government research conducted by federally operated laboratories and 
federally funded research  and development (R&D) centres results in inventions or findings that 
contribute to the development of new technologies and processes. Commercialization of these 
outputs can yield economic and social benefits that increase returns on the investment in fede ral 
R&D. 
4.  The United States continues to believe that the effective functioning of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS 
Agreement requires a robust dialogue between developed country and LDC Members, in order to 
target incentives in a way that is most responsive to th e self -identified technology transfer 
interests and needs of LDC Members. The United States encourages the efforts of the TRIPS 
Council Secretariat and Member states to organize discussions among the Member states 
regarding Article 66.2 implementation.  
2  GENERAL TECHNOLOGY TRAN SFER PROGRAMMES, INC ENTIVES, AND PARTNER SHIPS  
5.  In 2011, President Obama issued a memorandum to all US federal agencies that conducted 
research and development, directing them to take measures to improve their technology transfer 
programm es leading to commercialization. In response to this directive, each agency developed 
specific plans and goals to be implemented and tracked from 2013 –2017.  
2.1  Federally Sponsored Research and Development  
6.  Federal initiatives on technology transfer are being i mplemented through the White House Lab -
to-Market Cross -Agency Priority Goal (see http://www.performance.gov/node/3395/ ). New 
programmes will streamline technology transfer and accelerate the pace of com mercialization of 
federal research. Further, new agency metrics were developed to better describe and demonstrate 
performance and are being tracked (see http://www.n ist.gov/tpo/publications/agency -responses -
presidential -memo.cfm ). 
2.1.1   Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer  
7.  Technology transfer is most effective when the technology is requested by the entity that will 
use the technology. The Federal Laborato ry Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) plays a key 
role in providing information about technologies that are available for licensing. The FLC is a 
national network of approximately 300 federal laboratori es and centres that provides a  forum to 
develop strategies and opportunities for linking laboratory mission technologies and expertise with 
the marketplace (see http://www.federallabs.org/flc/available -technologies ). The FLC promotes 
technical cooperation among the federal laboratories and large and small businesses, academia, 
and federal, state, and local government agencies. FLC collaborates with organizations that 
promote technical cooperation, and works to improve the effectiveness  of technology transfer 
through training, recognition, awards, and evaluation. Moreover, the FLC encourages technology 
transfer and, through its member laboratories, seeks partners around the world 
(see https://flcbusiness.federallabs.org/FLCBiz/ ). 
2.1.2   Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research  
8.  The Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program me directly supports 
scientists in USAID -presence countries through institutional resea rch awards ranging up to 
US$300,000. US scientific agencies such as National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National 
Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceani c and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Smithsonian 
Institution, US Forest Service (USFS), US Department of Agriculture 's (USDA) Agriculture Research 
Service, and US Geological Survey (USGS), as well as universities and research institutes around 
the worl d, have partnered with scientists in developing countries through PEER awards. Since its 
launch in 2011, PEER has supported more than 250 projects in 45 countries with an investment of 
over US$47 million. The goal of PEER is to help build capacity among lo cal scientists and research 
institutions, strengthen research partnerships world -wide, and better translate data and evidence 
into policy.  
2.1.3   Research and Innovation Fellowship Programme  
9.  The Research and Innovation Fellowships programme connects early -career US researchers and 
scientists to hosting organizations in the developing world to conduct collaborative research 
projects. Projects span up to a year, and are funded by USAID and its partners at no cost to the 
hosting organization. Research and Innovation Fellows fill technical gaps with capacity that may 
not be available in -country. Ideally, each fellowship serves as a catalyst for continued engagement 
between stakeholders. Host organizations include government ministries, non -governmental 
organizations, p rivate sector companies, and universities in developing countries. In the 
2015-2016 fellowship year, the Research and Innovation Fellowships programme led by six 
implementing universities supported 105 Fellows in 24 countries (see  
https://www.usaid.gov/RIFellowships ). 
2.1.4   Global Innovation Exchange  
10.  Through the Global Innovation Exchange platform, a network that connects innovators, 
donors, academia, and the private sector to innovative devices, data, technologi es, approaches, 
processes and funding opportunities, USAID also facilitates support for innovations beyond what 
the Agency can directly provide. Since the launch of the Exchange last year, over 4,100 
collaborators have registered, sharing over 3,800 promis ing innovations and over US$280 million 
in funding opportunities.  
2.1.5   Innovation Discovery and  Testing  
11.  Generating new ideas for innovation, building evidence of their efficacy, and helping attract 
further investment helps development solutions reach more peopl e more quickly and sustainably. 
The Lab uses two approaches to identify promising innovations, which are then rigorously tested, 
iterated, and mainstreamed for global impact. The first approach - open innovation - includes the 
Development Innovation Ventur es (DIV) program me, a year -round grant competition open to 
nearly any individual or organization for any sector in any country where USAID operates. Grants 
are awarded based on cost -effectiveness, evidence of impact, and the potential to scale. The 
second approach, directed innovation, like Grand Challenges for Development (GCD), is used to 
find solutions to specific challenges, like improving childhood l iteracy, providing energy for 
agriculture, and addressing the Ebola epidemic. The Lab 's innovation disco very and testing 
programming specifically seeks to engage local innovators who are close to the problem and often 
can be best positioned to solve it. In FY 2015, the Lab fostered over 420 development innovations 
through DIV, GCD, and other program mes, impa cting 24.5 million people.  
2.2  Science and Technology Agreements  
12.  The United States utilizes science and technology (S&T) agreements to provide a framework 
for increased international collaboration by facilitating cooperation between US technical agencies 
and f oreign counterparts on topics including public health, watershed management, agriculture, 
environment and biodiversity protection, biotechnology, earth sciences, marine science, and 
alternative energy. These agreements support relationships that strengthen  our partners ' science 
education systems, build institutional and human resource capacity, and promote a deeper 
appreciation of the innovation ecosystem and its role in technology transfer and commercialization. 
The United States supports programmes that s trengthen institutional capacity to translate research 
into commercial activity, while improving individual capacity to enter labour markets. 
(see http://www.state.gov/e/oes/stc/ ). Through these efforts, US s cientific and technical agencies 
and their counterparts promote economic growth and jobs creation.  IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  2.3  Programming to Advance Entrepreneurship  
13.  Through President Obama 's Spark Initiative, the United States aims to advance 
entrepreneurship around the world. Many  of the 14 separate programming streams that make up 
the Spark Initiative are focus sed on enhancing entrepreneurial ecosystems in LDCs. Linkages 
between entrepreneurs in LDCs and innovative leaders from both the public and private sectors, 
including those in WTO Developed Country Members, encourage effective, voluntary technology 
transfers. The annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) brings together a selection of 
entrepreneurs from across the 14 Spark Initiative programming streams, as well as those fr om the 
host country and its wider region to showcase the latest trends, training, and technologies. The 
2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit was held in Silicon Valley, California.   Approximately 
700 entrepreneurs and more than 400 investors and ecosystem s upporters from more than 
170 countries attended.   Thirty  WTO LDCs were represented: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, 
Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Democratic Republic of the  Congo , Gambia, 
Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Lao PDR , Lesotho, Liberia, Ma dagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, 
Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia  (see 
http://www.state.gov/e/eb/cba/entrepreneurship/spar k). 
2.4  Special Self Help Programme  
14.  A popular and successful tool for many US embassies in sub -Saharan Africa for almost 
50 years, the Special Self Help (SSH) programme provides targeted, visible, small -scale grant 
assistance to community -based activities in response to community -identified needs. SSH 
activities focus on improvements in local infrastructure through small -scale construction projects, 
and its work includes boreholes, water taps, water tanks, pump houses, wells, cisterns, latrines 
and showers, cl assrooms, libraries, shelters, hostels, orphan dormitories, food sheds and 
warehouses, and health centres and clinics. These projects have improved the lives of over 
20 million people, with funding levels reaching up to US$3 million allocated across 45 Afr ican 
countries. SSH funds were granted to projects in LDC Members, including Angola, Benin, Burkina 
Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, The 
Gambia, Guinea, Guinea -Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Maur itania, Mozambique, Niger, 
Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia 
(see http://www.state.gov/p/af/pdpa/ssh/ ). 
3  EDUCATIONAL AND UNIV ERSITY -LED PROGRAMMES  
15.  US agencies such as the Department  of State and USAID work closely with universities to 
encourage student exchanges and other programmes that promote technology transfer and 
knowledge through harnessing the intellectual power of students to address challenges in areas 
like chronic conflict , climate variability, food security, and global health.  
3.1  Educational Enrolment in the US University System  
16.  A major avenue for technology transfer from the United States is the US university system, 
where foreign students are educated and then take advantag e of their training through private and 
public employment in their home countries. Since many US universities are established as not -for-
profit  (tax-exempt) entities, education is subsidized by the US taxpayer through tax revenues. In 
addition, the private  endowments that assist many foreign students to attend US universities on 
financial aid were built with tax exempt donations.  
3.1.1   University Enrolment by Foreign Students  
17.  In 2014, there were 29,291 students from LDCs enrolled in US institutions of higher 
education, representing an increase of 3% over 2013, and 3.3% of the total US higher education 
enrolment. US institutions of higher education hosted many students from LDCs, including large 
numbers from Nepal (8,155 students) and Bangladesh (4,802 students). T he top five most popular 
fields of study for international students in the United States in 2014 were Business and 
Management (21.2 %); Engineering (19.2%); Liberal Arts (10.7%), Mathematics and Computer 
Science (10.3%); and Social Sciences (8.2%).  IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  3.2  Exchang e Programming from the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs  
18.  The Department of State 's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) designs and 
implements educational, professional, and cultural exchange programmes that increase the mutual 
understan ding between people of the United States and the people of other countries 
(see http://eca.state.gov/ ). 
3.2.1   Programming from the Department of State 's Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs  
19.  Through nine programmes, ECA  enables students, exchange alumni, and young adults to 
pursue higher education, leadership, and professional development opportunities globally. In 
FY 2015, nine educational and cultural programmes funded 4,972 LDC participants. The Fulbright 
Programme sp onsors 8,000 participants, many of whom do in -country work in LDCs. These 
programmes included participants from Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Haiti, Lao PDR, 
Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and 
Zambi a. The students enter the United States as non -immigrant exchange visitors ("J -1"), which 
make them ineligible to remain in the United States after their studies. Thus, students  
participating in these education programmes generally return to their home cou ntries, thereby 
bringing back knowledge and training. For example, the American Cultural Centre in Benin 
welcomed a group of young people at the finals of a business plan competition launched by the 
"Youth Entrepreneurs Partners – YEP", a group initiated b y a Fulbright alumnus who won the 
Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2013. Six young entrepreneurs presented their pitches in 
front a panel of judges at the American Cultural Centre, and to American judges at the University 
of Michigan. The winner received US$1,000 to launch a small business.  
3.3  Higher Education Solutions Network  
20.  USAID 's Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) is a constellation of eight development 
laboratories that promote the creation and application of new science, technology, and enginee ring 
approaches to solve the world 's most challenging development problems. With US$137 million 
over five years from USAID and leveraging nearly equal investments from the institutions, the 
universities established the laboratories by collaborating with a network that extends beyond 650 
partner institutions in academia, civil society, and government across 69 countries, including 
developing countries (see http://www.usaid.gov/hesn/ ). 
3.4  Common Practices for University -Led Technology Transfer  
21.  Common practices that encourage technology transfer from US universities include:  
 publication of research results in open academic literature that is accessible globally 
through the Internet or other public systems, enabling the fr ee-flow of research to be 
utilized by scientists, engineers, and researchers in all sectors;  
 interaction between creators and users of new knowledge (e.g. through professional 
meetings, conferences, seminars, industrial liaison programmes and other venues) ; 
 collaborative research projects;  
 entrepreneurial activity of faculty and students outside the university without involving 
university -owned IP; and  
 0voluntary licensing of IP to established firms and new start -up companies.  
4  COMMERCIAL AND LEGAL  PROGRAMME S TO STRENGTHEN CAPA CITY  
22.  US agencies such as the Commercial Law Development Programme (CLDP), the National 
Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST), and others provide commercial law technical 
assistance to the governments and private sectors of deve loping and transitional countries in 
support of their economic development goals. The programmes are demand -driven and 
customized to address priority issues in countries ' business climates. The programmes help IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  improve the commercial, legal, and regulatory environments that are needed to attract foreign 
investment and promote private sector -led growth and technology transfer.  
4.1  Programming from the Commercial Law Development Programme  
23.  CLDP programmes that focus on strong intellectual property rights (IPR) prot ection systems 
can help assure foreign companies that they can transfer technology without fear that it will be 
stolen and provide incentives for domestic innovation and foreign direct investment (FDI ). In 
2016, CLDP significantly increased its capacity bu ilding activities related to technology transfer. In 
so doing, CLDP responded to requests from two types of countries, at the behest of US embassies 
in these countries:  
 Countries lacking hydrocarbons resources , but having a network of universities and 
engineering schools conducting significant research and development activities. For 
these countries, Pakistan or Tunisia for instance , a key factor of their interest in 
technology transfer is to create jobs for university graduates.  
 Countries with significant hydrocarbons resources, that because of the fall in the price of 
oil and gas want to reduce  their dependence on hydrocarbons revenues. These 
countries, Algeria or Iraq for instance, want to diversify their economy through the 
creation of technology startup s that commercialize technologies  resulting from publicly 
funded research  and development.   
24.  In response to this double demand, CLDP 's capacity building activities related to technology 
transfer took three main forms in 2016:  
 Capacity development in techno logy transfer from academia to industry, for managers of 
university technology transfer offices.  
 Capacity development in assisting technology start -ups, for managers of technology 
incubators.   
 For officials in charge of agencies that have a mandate to fost er the deve lopment of 
technology startups, capacity building in creating innovation ecosystems conducive to 
the creation and growth of start -ups (see http://cldp.doc.gov/areas -
experti se/intellectual -property ). 
4.2  Programming from the National I nstitute of Standard and Technology  
25.  NIST provides a coordination role for interagency efforts through Lab -to-Market and various 
other working groups. NIST 's Technology Partnerships Office is respon sible for preparing reports 
on technology transfer for the Department of Commerce and for summarizing the technology 
transfer activities reported by federal agencies and their federally -funded R&D centres 
(see https://www.nist.gov/tpo/federal -laboratory -interagency -technology -transfer -summary -
reports ). NIST has research laboratories, user facilities, and other programmes on advancing 
measurement scien ce, standards, and technology. In particular, NIST 's Guest Researcher 
Programme and NIST 's Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) enable 
work with technical experts on projects that use NIST laboratories and equipment, staff, and 
research  tools. NIST guest researchers (or their employing institutions) may retain rights to 
inventions conceived by the researcher while working with researchers at NIST. Each year, NIST 
hosts hundreds of foreign guest researchers at its facilities. Since 2014, the following LDCs have 
sent researchers to this programme: Bangladesh (8); Burkina Faso (4); Benin (2); Myanmar (1); 
Democratic Republic of the Congo (1); Madagascar (2); Nepal (11); Niger (2); Senegal (2); and 
Uganda (2) (see http://www.nist.gov/tpo/collaborations/guestresearchers.cfm/ ). 
4.3  Programming from the Department of Commerce focussed  on Small Business  
Development   
26.  As part of its strategy to empower businesses – particularly  small businesses – to obtain and  
enforce IPR, the Department of Commerce uses multiple tools and assistance programmes. Small  
businesses in the United States that are often on the cutting edge of new technologies can also be  IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  hesitant to export products, m ake investments, or form partnerships overseas that involve their  
latest technology because of fears that their IP could be violated. The Department of Commerce,  
by teaching small businesses how to protect and defend their rights overseas, increases the  
likelihood that these businesses will be willing to operate overseas, including in LDCs, thereby  
enhancing access to new technologies abroad.  
4.4  Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA)  
27.  BTCA works directly with governments and large companies in many USAID host countri es to 
support the transition from cash to electronic payments.   Missions can work with BTCA to support 
policy reform and unlock the investments required to foster the growth of digital payments 
industries, and can leverage technical assistance, state -of-the-art toolkits, and a peer learning 
platform to support a range of cross -sectoral development goals — e.g. digitizing government 
payments to improve public sector efficiency and transparency; digitizing collections to support 
domestic revenue collection; a nd digitizing social protection payment initiative to drive financial 
inclusion among the unbanked and financially marginalized.  
5  INTELLECTUAL PROPERT Y PROTECTION AND ENF ORCEMENT CAPACITY BU ILDING  
28.  US agencies, including the Department of Commerce 's Interna tional Trade Administration  
(ITA) (see http://www.trade.gov ), CLDP, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland  
Security (DHS), US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (see http://www.uspto.gov ) and others  
deliver IPR technical assistance programmes to LDCs as a means of incentivizing technology  
transfer from private sector stakeholders. US agencies also facilitate programmes that help diffuse  
technology from patent holders to LDCs and work closely with counterparts on enforcement efforts  
as well.  
5.1  IPR Technical Capacity Building  
29.  A strong system of IPR protection is crucial to foreign investment and voluntary, private 
sector -led technology transfer in developing countries and for  developing country innovators to 
capitalize on their creativity. Therefore, it is important for US IPR experts to collaborate closely 
with counterparts on technical capacity for IPR administration and protection.  
5.1.1   USPTO Collaboration with International Org anizations  
30.  USPTO offers training and technical assistance on IP R protection and enforcement to  many 
countries, including LDCs. USPTO supports the LDC assistance efforts of international organizations 
such as with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the World Intellectual 
Property Organization (WIPO). For example, USPTO works with WIPO on its Research  and WIPO 
Green program mes, to promote access to IPR and technical know -how for relevant policy 
concerns, including neglected tropical diseas es and environmentally -friendly technologies 
(see http://www.wipo.int/research/en/ , and https://webaccess.wipo.int/green/ ). USPTO also 
collaborates with ASEA N on the Intellectual Property  Office Administration Program me at which 
LDCs participate.  
5.1.2   USPTO Global Intellectual Property Academy  
31.  USPTO offers assistance through the Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA) at its state -
of-the-art training facility i n Alexandria, Virginia and throughout th e world. Through these 
program mes, USPTO delivers targeted training to foreign IP officials. The training is targeted 
towards IP office administrators, examiners, judges, prosecutors, customs officers, and other 
government and law enforcement officials.  
32.  In FY2015, GIPA conducted more than 106 training, technical assistance, and capacity 
building program mes for over 5,000 participants from 106 different countries, including LDCs. In 
FY2015, LDC represe ntatives attende d GIPA program mes from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, 
Cambodia, Gambia, Lao People 's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, 
Myanmar, Nepal, Rwanda, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia.  IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  33.  In FY2016, GIPA conducted more than 120 training, technical  assistance,  and capacity 
building program mes for over 4,500 participants from over 100 different countries, including LDCs. 
In FY2016, LDC represe ntatives attended GIPA program s from Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina 
Faso, Cambodia, Central African Repub lic, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Lao 
People 's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, 
Nepal, Niger, Senegal, Tan zania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia  (see http://www.uspto.gov/learning -
and-resources/global -intellectual -property -academy ). 
5.1.3   IPR e -Learning Modules  
34.  USPTO hosts 31 free IPR e -Learning modules available to the public. These modules cover six 
different areas of Intellectual Property, and are available in five languages: Arabic, English, 
French, Russian, and Spanish. By the end of FY 2016, the e -learning module s had received over 
56,000 hits  (see https://www.uspto.gov/learning -and-resources/global -intellectual -property -
academy -gipa/uspto -webinars -and-ip-e-learning ). 
5.1.4   Intellectual Property Attaché Programme  
35.  USPTO pos ts IPR attachés at US embassies and consulates that work with host governments 
and other stakeholders including academia, advocacy groups, international organizations, NGOs, 
and the private sector to provide IPR technical assistance and capacity building p rogrammes of 
interest to countries in their region. Programmes have focussed  on IPR enforcement, as well as 
patent, trademark, and copyright polic y engagement and best practices  
(see http://ww w.uspto.gov/ip/global/attache/index.jsp ). 
5.2  Patents for Humanity  
36.  The USPTO Patents for Humanity programme encourages assistance to LDCs by providing 
business incentives for patent owners and licensees to apply their technology towards 
humanitarian purposes.  Participants submit descriptions of how they are improving lives in five 
broad categories of global challenges: household energy, living standards, medicine, nutrition, and 
sanitation. Independent experts review the submissions and recommend winners who r eceive 
accelerated processing of a select patent at the USPTO (see 
http://www.uspto.gov/patentsforhumanity/ ). 
5.3  IPR Enforcement Coordination  
37.  The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security  Investigations (HSI) leads 
the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre (IPR Centre), which works to respond 
to global IP theft and enforcement of international trade laws. The mission of the IPR Centre is to 
protect the public 's health a nd safety and the US economy, and to stop predatory and unfair trade 
practices that threaten the global economy. To accomplish this goal, the IPR Centre brings 
together 23 partner agencies, consisting of 19 federal agencies, INTERPOL, EUROPOL, and the 
governments of Canada and Mexico in a task -force setting. The task force structure enables the 
IPR Centre to effectively leverage the resources, skills, and authorities of each partner and provide 
a comprehensive response to IP theft (see https://www.iprcenter.gov/ ). IPR Centre partners 
conduct Operation Joint Venture (OJV), which provides training for domestic and international law 
enforcement to build strong enforcement capabilities worldwide. The IPR Centre, through  the 
financial support of Department of State 's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement 
Affairs (INL), provides IPR enforcement capacity building training to many countries, including 
LDCs.  
5.3.1   National IPR Centre  
38.  IPR Centre training programme pa rticipants in FY 2015 included 25 international training 
programmes, reaching over 1,400 participants. In June 2015, the IPR Centre and HSI Attaché for 
Hong Kong conducted the Southeast Asia Regional Intellectual Property Enforcement Workshop for 
customs a nd law enforcement agents from 11 countries, including LDCs Bangladesh and 
Cambodia. The programme provided training in areas including targeting and interdiction, and IP 
investigative techniques. The IPR Centre and HSI officials also provide instruction o n topics, 
including food chain supply integrity and supply chain security, law enforcement operations against IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  food-related crimes, and best practices for building international law enforcement partnerships, 
intelligence/information gathering, and raising a wareness and strategic communications. Finally, 
the IPR Centre and HSI collaborate with INTERPOL on capacity building for third country 
investigation of transnational organized IP crime. In this work, the IPR Centre delivers lectures on 
investigative techn iques and best practices being utilized in the United States, as related to IP 
theft and counterfeit goods trafficking.  
5.3.2   StopFakes.gov  
39.  The Department of Commerce has developed a website that hosts online resources, including 
information about key US agencie s and programmes (see http://www.stopfakes.gov/ ) aimed at 
helping businesses protect their IPR. The IPR Training Module, hosted on STOPfakes, is available in 
English, French, and Spanish. The United States encourag es LDCs to use the module for their 
small businesses. The module familiarizes small businesses with IP equities, explaining the 
importance of IPR to businesses, and how to protect and enforce IPR in the United States and 
abroad. WTO LDCs and other countrie s are able to use this resource free of charge. Inventors, 
investors, and businesspersons from the United States and around the world use the "Contact Us" 
function on the website to ask questions about IPR enforcement. Additionally, STOPfakes enables 
busin esses to report IPR trade barriers and enforcement issues to the Department of Commerce.  
6  TRADE AND INVESTMENT  POLICY, CAPACITY BUI LDING, AND INCENTIVE S 
40.  Technology transfers are often private sector decisions that should not be required as a 
precondition fo r investment. US agreements on trade and investment, as well as capacity building 
programmes and incentives aimed at helping create a positive ecosystem that supports trade 
relations between the United States and partner countries enable voluntary, private  sector -led 
technology transfer.  
6.1  Investment and Trade Policy Negotiations  
41.  The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of State jointly 
negotiate agreements which improve the investment climate in the economies of partner countries 
by encouraging the adoption of policies that facilitate and support foreign investment.  
6.1.1   Bilateral Investment Treaties  
42.  US bilateral investment treaties (BITs) establish a framework of reciprocal protections that 
include the free transfer of investment -relate d funds, investor -state dispute arbitration rights, 
limitations on specified performance requirements, non -discriminatory treatment, protection 
against expropriation, and transparency in governance. These treaties improve the climate for FDI 
in joint ventu res and in other forms of investment in partner countries that can lead to the transfer 
of technology and know -how. As of 201 6, the United States had signed four BITs with sub -Saharan 
Africa WTO Member LDCs: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Rw anda, and Senegal. 
Further, the United States and the East African Community (EAC) Partner States agreed to explore 
a regional investment treaty (see http://www.ustr.gov/tra de-agreements/bilateral -investment -
treaties/ ). 
6.1.2   Trade and Investment Framework Agreements  
43.  USTR -negotiated Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) enhance trade 
relations between the United States and other countries. Over the last several years, the United 
States has launched 13 trade and investment agreements in sub -Saharan Africa, including three 
bilateral TIFAs with LDCs: Angola, Mozambique, and Rwanda. Additionally, the United States has 
launched regional TIFAs with the Common Market for Easte rn and Southern Africa (COMESA), EAC, 
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and West African Economic and 
Monetary Union (UEMOA); and a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative Agreement 
with the five countries of the Southern Afric an Customs Union (SACU). The United States also has 
bilateral agreements with several LDCs outside of Sub -Saharan Africa, including Bangladesh, 
Myanmar, Cambodia, Nepal, and Yemen, as well as with ASEAN and the Caribbean Community 
(CARICOM). Together, thes e agreements cover 29 WTO LDC Members: Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, 
Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, The IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, 
Nepal,  Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia (see 
https://ustr.gov/trade -agreements/trade -investment -framework -agreements/ ). 
6.2  Trade Preference Programmes  
44.  An underlying principle of US trade preference programming is that the creation of trade 
opportunities for developing countries is an effective way of encouraging broad -based economic 
development, and an important means of sustaining momentum for economic reform and 
liberalization in these countries. Effective trade allows the ability for companies – large and small – 
to bring their technologies to markets that would otherwise be difficult to reach.  
6.2.1   US Generalized System of Preferences  Programme  
45.  The US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme, established in 1976, promotes 
economic development by providing duty -free access to the US market for a wide range of 
products from developing countries, giving companies and workers in p roducer countries a vital 
opportunity to integrate into the global trading system. On 29 June 2015, President Obama signed 
the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, which renewed the GSP programme through to 
31 December 2017 and authorized refunds of du ties paid on GSP imports during the lapse in GSP 
authorization from August 2013 to July 2015. GSP benefi ts 122 developing countries and 
territories from every region of the world, and provides special, a dditional benefits for products 
from 31 least -develop ed WTO Member beneficiary countries. Nearly 5,000 types of products are 
eligible for  duty-free treatment under GSP, including most manufactured products (except apparel 
and foot wear), agricultural and fishery products, consumer products, chemicals, m ineral s, and 
building materials  (see https://ustr.gov/issue -areas/trade -development/preference -
programs/generalized -system -preference -gsp). 
6.2.2   Afric an Growth and Opportunity Act  
46.  The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) promotes open markets, expands US -Africa 
trade and investment, stimulates economic growth, and facilitates sub -Saharan Africa 's integration 
into the global economy. Since the enact ment of AGOA in 2000, the United States has worked 
closely with African governments, the private sector, and civil society stakeholders to improve 
AGOA utilization and to help them make the most of AGOA 's trade benefits. The United States 
crafted and put i nto place the regulatory framework for AGOA, actively promoted the programme 
throughout Africa, and developed trade capacity -building programmes to help African governments 
and firms identify and develop the market opportunities available under AGOA 
(see https://agoa.info/about -agoa/ ) 
47.  As of September  2016, the following LDCs are eligible: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burun di, 
Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mal i, 
Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone , Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and 
Zambia.  
6.3  Trade Capacity Building  
48.  US assistance agencies, including USAID and the US Trade and Development Agency 
(USTDA), are dedicated to promoting models such as public -private partnerships (PPPs) and grant 
funding programmes to support the development of infrastructure projects that advance economic 
growth and effective transfer of technology to LDCs.  
6.3.1   Programming from the US Trade and Development Agency  
49.  USTDA adva nces US economic development initiatives in low -and-middle -income countries by 
funding technical assistance (e.g. early investment analysis, training, reverse trade missions, and 
business workshops) that supports the development of modern infrastructure an d fair and open 
trading in LDCs. Recognizing the importance of trade to LDC growth, USTDA works closely with 
other agencies and regional economic communities to develop trade capacity and apply private 
sector solutions to development challenges. In FY 2015 , USTDA provided over US$2.9 million IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  towards activities designed to create an enabling environment for increased trade and investment 
in LDCs (see http://www.ustda.gov/ ). 
6.3.2   Aid for Trade Programme  
50.  "Aid for Trade" or Trad e Capacity Building (TCB) assis tance is a cornerstone of the US  
Government strategy to promote economic growth through trade and to enable developing 
countries to negotiate and implement market -opening and reform -oriented trade agreements. TCB 
helps to imp rove the linkage between trade and development by providing developing countries 
with the tools to maximize trade opportunities, including through fostering environments 
favourable to technology transfer. The United States considers its TCB activities to b e an integral 
element in its efforts to provide incentives for technology transfer 
(see https://www.usaid.gov/what -we-do/economic -growth -and-trade/trade -and-regulatory -
reform/trade -capacity -buildingaid -trade ). Since FY 2011, US  Government funding for TCB has 
totalled  over US$4.4 billion.  
6.3.3   Incentives to Enhance Sustainable Corporate Practices, Technology Transfer, and 
Trade  
51.  US agencies seek to open up and expand new markets for American businesses and new 
opportunities for the people of developing nations through awards and incentives for investment. 
Working with the private sector, these agencies help US enterprises gain foot holds in emerging 
markets by generating revenues, jobs, and growth opportunities in the United States and abroad. 
Programmes actively partner with both private and public institutions.  
6.4  Award for Corporate Excellence  
52.  The Secretary of State 's Award for Corpo rate Excellence (ACE) recognizes the important role 
US businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens, including promoting technology transfer and 
sustainable development. ACE encourages US companies to enhance their efforts to engage in 
responsible bus iness conduct through democratic values, due diligence and supply chain 
management, environmental stewardship, innovation, and support for human and labour rights 
worldwide. ACE winners for 201 5 include:  
 Award for Corporate Excellence in Environmental Sust ainability: Weyerhaeuser Productos 
S.A. (Uruguay)  
 Award for Corporate Excellence in Human Rights and Labo ur Rights: Cargill Vietnam Ltd.  
 Award for Corporate Excellence for a Small or Medium Enterprise: East Bali Cashews 
(Indonesia)  
See ( http://www.state.gov/e/eb/ace/ ) 
 
6.5  Investment Incentives through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation  
53.  The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a US development finance institution, 
mobilizing private investment  in more than 100 developing economies and emerging markets. 
OPIC has supported more than US$225 billion of investment in over 4,000 development projects in  
key sectors such as agribusiness, renewable and clean technologies, and small -and-medium -sized 
enterprises (SME) and micro -finance. Another key priority is Impact Investing, which aims to 
produce positive social impacts, while generating financial returns sufficient to make projects 
sustainable, especially in instances of political instability. OPIC has  strengthened its focus on 
Southeast Asia, in addition to its longstanding emphasis on sub -Saharan Africa 
(see https://www.opic.gov/opic -action/all -project -descriptions ). 
7  DEVELOPMENT  PROGRAMMING AND INCE NTIVES THROUGH PRIVA TE SECTOR MODELS  
54.  Through the use of the PPP model, US development agencies have gained additional financial 
resources for development activities, as well as new technologies, intellectual capital and technical 
and m anagerial expertise that address emerging development challenges.  IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  7.1  Development Assistance Programming from the Millennium Challenge Corporation  
55.  The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a US Government corporation that forms 
partnerships with some of th e world 's poorest countries, but only those committed to good 
governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizens. MCC provides countries with 
large-scale grants to fund country -led solutions for achieving goals such as reducing poverty 
through  sustainable economic growth. MCC has approved over US$10 billion in compact and 
threshold programmes worldwide that support projects in agriculture and irrigation, anticorruption, 
business environment improvements, education, health, enterprise developmen t, finance, land 
rights, trade and transport, and water supply and sanitation initiatives. MCC is currently 
implementing compact agreements or threshold programmes with four WTO LDC Members: Benin, 
Malawi, Senegal, and Zambia. In the past, MCC has also com pleted programmes with Benin, 
Burkina Faso, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and 
Vanuatu. New programmes are being developed with Lesotho, Liberia, Nepal, Niger (in which MCC 
is specifically considering investments to  reduce trade barriers), Sierra Leone, and Tanzania 
(see http://www.mcc.gov/ ). 
7.2  Global Development Alliance Model  
56.  The Global Development Alliance (GDA) is USAID 's premiere model for public -private 
partnerships, helping to  improve the social and economic conditions in developing countries and 
deepen USAID 's development impact by leveraging the combined expertise, skills, assets, 
technologies and resources of the private, public and non -profit sectors. The GDA model stresses  
private sector engagement and working with and through global and local businesses, private 
philanthropy, and civil society. Since FY 2001, USAID has worked with more than 3,500 partner 
organizations from the private sector to form more than 1,500 pa rtnerships that have  mobilize d 
more than US$18 billion in non -USG funds (see http://www.usaid.gov/gda/ ). 
7.3  USAID -Cisco Systems Partnership  
57.  The USAID -Cisco Systems partnership focus ses on supporting economic growth and wor kforce 
development through Cisco 's Networking Academy programme. The programme helps build 
foundational skills in information and communication technologies (ICT) , while also developing 
career skills in problem -solving, collaboration, and critical thinking  within a country 's growing 
technology sector. This partnership is a prominent and successful example of advancing US 
development goals aimed at building capacity in partner countries and has worked in dozens of 
countries over the last decade. The value of  Cisco's in-kind contributions to the programme was 
US$203.4 million in FY13, and more than one million students have participated in more than 
10,000 academies in 165 countries.  
8  PROGRAMMES AND INCEN TIVES RELATED TO AGR ICULT URAL DEVELOPMENT AND  
FOOD SAFETY  AND SECURITY  
58.  US agriculture, food safety, and food security agencies such as USDA and USAID pursue  
technology transfer programming by promoting research outcomes that are adopted for public  
benefit. The science -based innovations from these agencies includ e intramural research  
programmes that create new technologies, processes, products, and services that enhance  
productivity, efficiency, and global competitiveness.  
8.1  Agricultural Technology Transfer Programming from the USDA  
59.  To facilitate technology transfer , USDA uses contractual instruments such as CRADAs, 
invention licenc es and material transfer agreements, and the public dissemination of research 
results. Because USDA 's research mission is to transfer technologies for broad public use, USDA 
pursues patent  protection and licensing only when a private sector partner is needed for effective 
technology transfer. Generally, this occurs when the complementary assets needed to 
manufacture, market, and distribute a new technology are provided by a commercial partn er that 
must protect its investment. The USDA annual report on technology transfer provides details about 
the mechanisms used for technology transfer and types of technologies transferred 
(see https://www.ars.usda.gov/office -of-technology -transfer/tt -reports/ ). IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  8.1.1   Agricultural Technology Transfer Programming from the ARS  
60.  By sharing knowledge and technology through close collaboration with national and 
international research inst itutions to increase research capacity and speed technolog y 
development, ARS transfers technology and enhances in ternational trade and diplomacy 
(see http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs. htm?docid=1428 ). 
8.1.2   National Plant Germplasm System  
61.  The ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) has the primary federal responsibility for 
the preservation of germplasm collections of crop plants and their wild relatives. NPGS supports 
capacity building f or genetic resource conservation. Through global contributions and individual 
support to specific countries, the NPGS has pursued partnerships with international groups like 
Biodiversity International and the Global Crop Diversity Trust. For example, Diver sity Seek 
("DivSeek") unlocks the potential of crop diversity stored in genebanks to enhance the 
productivity, sustainability, and resilience of crops and agricultural systems, especially in the 
developing world. NPGS 's partnership programmes have develope d a new germplasm information 
management system, called the Germplasm Research Information Network (GRIN) -Global, for 
safeguarding, managing, and publishing this invaluable information (see https://npgsweb.ars -
grin.gov/gringlobal/search.aspx ). NPGS conducts training and workshops and produces reference 
materials on GRIN -Global.  
8.1.3   NPGS Germplasm Uses in LDCs  
62.  There is great demand for germplasm from the NPGS. Although germplasm is used 
extensiv ely for cultivar improvement, it is also used for a wide variety of other scientific studies, 
which improve crop production. The NPGS distributed an average of more than 227,000 accessions 
annually from 2006 -2015, roughly 30% of which were distributed to f oreign scientists. Scientists in 
more than 140 countries received germplasm, including the following LDCs: Bangladesh, Benin, 
Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Haiti, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, 
Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda , and Zambia . In one major success story in 2013, 
80 accessions of Amaranthus were distributed to a university researcher in Benin to support a 
breeding programme or adaptable crops.  
8.1.4   Other NPGS Collaborations  
63.  In recent years, the United States has provided  funds for many additional projects on 
germplasm conservation and utilization. NPGS scientists have collaborated with USDA 's Foreign 
Agricultural Service (FAS) and the ARS Office of International Research Programme. Scientists at 
the Bangladesh Agricultura l University, with the technical cooperation of NPGS scientists, collected, 
evaluated, preserved and distributed germplasm of landraces and wild relatives of traditional fruits 
and vegetables. NPGS personnel promote technology transfer by providing trainin g to scientists in 
all aspects of germplasm maintenance, evaluation, documentation, and enhancement.  
8.2  Programming Supporting Food Security  
64.  In 2009, President Obama pledged to advance agricultural development and food availability 
in support of a common appr oach to food security by committing over US$3.5 billion over three 
years to leverage and to align more than US$18.5 billion in commitments from other donors. 
USAID supports the commitment to advance global food security by comprehensively addressing 
the un derlying causes of hunger and under -nutrition; investing in country -led plans; strengthening 
strategic coordination; leveraging the expertise of multilateral institutions; and making sustained 
and accountable commitments. USAID is working in collaboration with its partners to launch co -
investment models, establish private sector partnerships, reduce risk, improve the enabling 
environment, commercialize new technologies, and engage in capacity -building programmes.  
8.2.1   Feed the Future Programme  
65.  Feed the Future (F TF) is the primary US global hunger and food security initiative. It supports 
country -driven approaches to address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Through this 
initiative, the United States helps countries transform their agricultural sectors to gro w enough IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  food sustainably to feed their people. As a result, food aid can be used for unforeseen catastrophes 
rather than for chronic food insecurity or predictable cycles of drought or flooding. Technical, 
experts in nutrition have been brought together f rom agencies including ARS and USAID, and from 
the private sector, to guide and coordinate efforts around food security (see 
http://www.feedthefuture.gov/ ). FTF catalys es technology transfer through agricultura l-led 
economic growth and development by bridging the gap between innovative agricultural 
productivity solutions and sustainable market demand; improving the enabling environment for 
market led growth; and linking large commercial institutions with smallho lder partners.  
66.  In providing technical assistance, USAID also seeks to expand markets and trade in LDC 
countries and FTF focus countries by expanding market information; post -harvest market 
infrastructure; and access to business development and financial s ervices. ARS is engaged in 
research specifically targeting develo ping countries through FTF 
(see https://www.ars.usda.gov/office -of-internation al-research -programs/oirp -feed-the-future -
projects/ ). FTF 's technical assistance will enhance animal, plant, and food safety by improving 
standards and creating strong regulatory frameworks; reducing the time and cost of border 
movement of goods; and crea ting an enabling environment for agribusiness growth. Developing 
country FTF partners include Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, 
Mozambique, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.  
8.2.2   FTF Programming in Bangladesh  
67.  In Bangladesh, USAID FTF programming promotes science and technology innovations in 
agricultural production. Specifically, USAID supports biotechnological research with the Bangladesh 
Agricultural Research Institute by improving local research capacity and cre ating a policy 
environment conducive to the development, management, and use of agricultural biotechnology. 
Additionally, USAID created a partnership with the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute to increase 
rice yields. Through FTF, USAID supports adaptive research trials to test, validate, and refine 
newly developed agronomic practices and seed varieties for cereals, vegetables, and fish.  
8.2.3   FTF Research Commitments  
68.  A central feature of FTF is a commitment to harness science and technology to advance 
agricultu ral productivity and sustainability goals through increased collaboration between US 
scientists and partner countries. FTF research investments address seven major programme areas 
of the Food Security Innovation Centre: (1) Climate Resilient Cereals; (2) L egume Productivity; 
(3) Advanced Approaches to Pest and Disease; (4) Nutritious and Safe Foods; (5) Markets and 
Policy; (6) Sustainable Intensification; and (7) Human and Institutional Capacity Development. 
These research programmes involve a range of impl ementing organizations, including 
US universities, in close partnership with developing countries, international agricultural research 
centres, and partnerships between private sector firms and partners in developing countries to 
advance food security rese arch and the transfer of relevant technologies.  
69.  USAID funds 24 research programmes based at US universities across the seven programme 
areas of the FTF Food Security Innovation Centre to develop relevant technologies and approaches 
to improving the sustain ability, productivity and profitability of smallholder farms. The 
programmes include research in aquaculture, livestock, cereals, legumes, food safety, nutrition, 
and natural resources management (see https://feedthefuture.gov/article/feed -future -food-
security -innovation -center ). 
8.3  Programming in Support of International Agricultural Research  
70.  USAID supports the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Researc h (CGIAR), a 
global research -for-development partnership consisting of 15 international agricultural and natural 
resources research centres. The CGIAR aims to reduce poverty and hunger, improve human health 
and nutrition, and enhance ecosystem resilience t hrough high -quality international agricultural 
research, partnership, and leadership (see http://www.cgiar.org/ ). IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  8.4  Programming Supporting Agricultural Biotechnology and Innovation  
71.  Agricultural biotechnology offers an im portant tool to enhance crops and manage resources. It 
can increase the incomes of small -scale agricultural producers in an environmentally sustainable 
way by:  
 reducing pesticide use and excess fertilizer use that pose threats to  biodiversity and 
human he alth; 
 battling damaging plant diseases and pests by developin g new resistant crop varieties;  
 making widely grown food crops more resilient and stress tolerant, thereby helping 
farme rs adapt to a changing climate;  
 enhancing the nutritional quality of key st aple crops to counter malnutrition and improve 
the health of farmers and consumers;  
 and enabling better livestock disease diagnosis and the development of mor e effective 
livestock vaccines.  
To promote effective agricultural biotechnology, US agencies, incl uding FAS, the Department of 
State 's Economic and Business Affairs Bureau, and USAID, work with other countries and 
international bodies, such as the WTO and the Organization for Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation 
(APEC). This work is meant to strengthen le gislative frameworks and regulatory systems to 
support the development of biotechnology, ensuring that the transfer of technology is science -
based, transparent, and creates the necessary environment for LDCs and the private sector to 
make effective use of the technology.  
 
8.4.1   USAID Biotechnology Programming  
72.  USAID has taken an innovative approach to biotechnology, integrating technological 
development with policy reforms in developing countries. This integrated approach ensures that 
countries safely access biote chnology, and that a broader range of technologies are available for 
small -scale farmers. This is accomplished by engaging US and developing country experts from 
universities, the private sector, NGOs, and international institutions such as the CGIAR, to f orm an 
integrated strategy for developing and managing biotechnologies and securing biosafety. USAID 
Biotechnology strategic goals are:  
 developing new crops for smallholder farmers to improve the availability of food and 
strengthen livelihoods;  
 developing and strengthening biosafety systems;  
 increasing developing countries ' capacity for local technology development;  
 increasing public understanding of biotechnology and biosafety;  
 helping public research systems address regulatory and IPR issues; and  
 supporti ng research to inform biotechnology risk assessment and management.  
8.4.2   Programme for Biosafety Systems  
73.  USAID 's Programme for Biosafety Systems (PBS) supports the development and 
implementation of national biosafety systems. PBS addresses biosafety through an integrated 
programme of research, capacity development, and outreach 
(see https://www.usaid.gov/kenya/fact -sheets/program -biosafety -systems ). IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  8.4.3   South Asia Biosafety Programme  
74.  The South Asia Biosafety Programme is dedicated to assisting US partner countries in South 
Asia, including Bangladesh, in institutional governance of biotechnology. The programme builds on 
existing efforts to advise governments on enhancing and streamlining  systems to realize the 
benefits of agricultural biotechnology within a transparent, efficient, and responsive regulatory 
framework that ensures the safety of new foods and animal feeds and protects the environment 
(see http://ilsirf.org/centers -and-programs/sabp/ ). 
8.4.4   African Agricultural Technology Foundation  
75.  The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), funded by USAID and other donors, 
facilitates PPPs to enable access to innovative tech nologies and ensure the delivery of 
biotechnology through local private and public sectors. Through USAID support, AATF 's 
management of these linkages upstream and downstream of public sector research has to facilitate 
access to innovative technologies and  to ensure the delivery of biotechnology through the local 
private and public sectors. These partnerships have been used to develop insect -resistant cowpea, 
nitrogen -use efficient rice varieties, and drought -tolerant maize using modern biotechnology. AATF 
works in LDCs, including Burkina Faso, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and Tanzania (see 
http://www.aatf -africa.org/ ). 
8.4.5   Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa  
76.  The Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA) project aims to  develop improved cassava 
varieties that contribute more food and income to farm families in East Africa. The project is 
focussed  on developing cassava varieties that are preferred by farmers and resistant to two 
common and prevalent viruses: cassava brown  streak disease and cassava mosaic disease. 
Current VIRCA partner countrie s include Kenya and Uganda . 
8.5  Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development  
77.  NSF supports basic research to build a foundation for generating sustainable, science -based 
solutions to  agricultural problems in developing countries. In its first three competitions, the 
programme awarded 24 grants through the Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development 
(BREAD) programme. The programme, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 
awards grants to promote novel, creative approaches and technologies to address common 
constraints faced by small -holder farmers. Grants have been made to US -led international teams 
to support the development of innovative strategies to combat wheat rust and low soil fertility, as 
well as the use of cutting edge synthetic biology technologies to enable the development of 
vaccine candidates for Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, a devastating disease in cattle 
(see http://www.nsf.gov/bio/pubs/awards/bread10.htm/ ). The BREAD Programme has taken a 
novel approach to fulfilling its goals by using a two -stage process involving small cash prizes for 
articulating novel or under -studied scien tific challenges facing smallholder farmers in the 
developing world. Thirteen individuals were selected to receive prizes, including researchers fro m 
LDCs Tanzania and Uganda . In the FY 2015 competition, BREAD solicited innovative basic research 
proposals in two key focus areas: (1) development of high throughput, low cost tools and devices 
for capturing phenotypic data; and (2) advancing basic research in crop plants relevant to 
smallholder agriculture in developing countries to develop sequence and functi onal genomics 
resources to enable basic and applied research in crop plants for smallholder agriculture. FY 2015 
awards will be funded in FY 2016.  
8.6  Securing Water for Food (SWFF) Grand Challenge for Development (GCD)  
78.  The SWFF GCD, seeks innovations that hel p farmers produce more food with less water. Since 
launching in 2013, SWFF grantees have saved over 300 million litres of water, produced nearly 
3,000 tons of food, and served more than 370,000 farmers and other customers in approximately 
30 low -resource c ountries. One SWFF awardee, Reel Gardening, developed by a young South 
African woman, provides a convenient, water -saving way for families and communities to grow 
their own vegetables using a biodegradable, color -coded paper tape that covers seeds and 
fertilizer to optimize water usage. The company has sold seed tapes to 100,000 households and is 
planning to triple sales in 2016.  IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  9  PROGRAMING AND INCEN TIVES RELATED TO ENE RGY DEVELOPMENT  
79.  US energy development assistance programmes bridge the gap between power shortages and 
countries ' economic potential by working with partners to take the steps to:  
 help countries develop newly discovered, clean energy resources responsibly;  
 build out power generation and transmission;  
 support power sector reforms; and  
 expand th e reach of mini -grid and off -grid solutions.  
9.1  Providing Energy Resources through the Clean Technology Fund  
80.  The Clean Technology Fund (CTF) is a multilateral, multi -billion dollar effort to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries by helping t o finance the additional costs of 
cleaner technologies over conventional alternatives. CTF provides financing to clean energy and 
energy efficiency projects combined with multilateral development bank financing. CTF aims to 
help countries attract investor capital into low -carbon sectors. To receive funding, countries must 
develop national investment plans that stimulate low -carbon growth and the scalable uptake of 
clean technologies. The United States is a contributor to the Strategic Climate Fund and its t hree 
sub-funds, the Forest Investment Programme (FIP), the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience 
(PPCR), and the Programme for Scaling -Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries (SREP).  
9.1.1   Forest Investment Programme  
81.  The FIP supports efforts to reduce defor estation and forest degradation and to promote 
sustainable forest management that leads to emissions reductions and enhancement of forest 
carbon stocks. Current FIP countries include LDCs Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, 
Democratic Republic of the Congo , Lao PDR, Mozambique, Nepal, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia 
(see http://www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/cif/node/5 ). 
9.1.2   Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience  
82.  PPCR is assisting countries vulnerable to changing climatic conditions. LDC pilot countries 
include Bangladesh, Cambodia, The Gambia, Haiti, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, 
Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia (see 
http://www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/cif/node/4 ). 
9.1.3   Programme for Scaling -Up Renewable Energy for Low Income Countries  
83.  SREP focusses on deploying renewable energy to increase energy access in several developing 
countries, including LDC pilot countries Banglades h, Benin, Cambodia, Haiti, Lesotho, Madagascar, 
Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Uganda, Vanuatu, 
Yemen, and Zambia (see http://www.climateinvestmentf unds.org/cif/node/67 ). 
9.2  Private Financing Advisory Network  
84.  Initiated by the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) and supported by USAID, the Private 
Financing Advisory Network (CTI -PFAN) is a multilateral PPP that nurtures promising, innovative 
clean and re newable energy projects by bridging the gaps between investors, clean energy 
entrepreneurs, and project developers. CTI -PFAN brings together private sector companies with 
experience in financing climate -friendly projects and technologies to screen business  plans and 
select the most economically viable and environmentally beneficial projects. For those 
entrepreneurs and businesses selected, CTI -PFAN provides guidance on feasibility, project 
structure, investment and financing, business plan preparation, and introductions to investors. 
CTI-PFAN works through regional networks in Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa and 
dedicated in -country networks (see http://www.cti -pfan.net). PFAN is migrating from current host 
CTI to the United Nations Industria l Development Organization (UNIDO) as a new host 
organization (in collaboration with the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  REEEP). USAID support for CTI PFAN will cease in September 2016, but USAID will continue to 
support PFAN through UN IDO. 
9.3  Regional Energy Initiatives  
85.  US regional energy development programming focus ses on sub -Saharan Africa and South 
Asia. US agencies, including OPIC and USAID, work closely with multilateral development banks 
and other organizations on regional energy co llaboration programmes.  
9.3.1   Power Africa  
86.  Power Africa was launched in 2013 to double access to power in sub -Saharan Africa by 
supporting developers, investors, and African -owned enterprises in all stages of project 
development to remove barriers and advance po wer projects toward completion. In parallel, Power 
Africa works with African governments and utilities to develop the legal, policy, and regulatory 
environment that will unlock private investment and the sustainable growth of Africa 's energy 
sector. To dat e, Power Africa 's initial US$7 billion commitment has mobilized more than 
US$52 billion in additional external commitments, including more than US$40 billion in private 
sector commitments to invest in power generation and distrib ution across sub -Saharan Af rica 
(see http://www.usaid.gov/powerafrica/ ). 
9.3.2   US-Africa Clean Energy Development and Finance Centre  
87.  At its US -Africa Clean Energy Development and Finance Centre, OPIC provides technical and 
financial suppor t for clean energy project development by providing investors and sub -Saharan 
African developers a centralized means to identify and access US Government support for their 
clean energy export and investment needs. OPIC also supports the African Clean Energ y Financing 
(ACEF) programme, which is focussed  on catalysing private sector investment in clean energy 
projects in Africa by providing support for early stage project development costs (see 
https://www.opic.gov/blog/power -africa/acef -unlocking -the-potential -for-clean-renewable -african -
power ). 
9.3.3   South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration  
88.  USAID 's South Asia Regional Initiative for En ergy Integration (SARI/EI) focusses on creating 
an enabling environment to advance cross -border electricity trade (CBET) in South Asia through 
the advancement of interconnections among transmission systems; the development of the 
regional energy market thr ough the three task forces with representation from different South 
Asian countries; and the harmonization of policy and legal and regulatory mechanisms among 
governments. The programme promotes the sharing of best practices between private -and-public 
sector system and transmission operators, as well as electricity traders in South Asia and the US.  
The objectives are to:  
 
 draw upon international experiences in energy market development to educate regional  
South Asian stakeholders;  
 foster partnerships among system operators, electricity traders, and regional 
transmission operators in the region; and  
 enhance institutional capacity of South Asian private and public sector system operators.  
89.  Through the programme, South Asian energy sector representatives gain an  understanding of 
the positive impacts that transparent energy markets and CBET can have on attracting additional 
investments and meeting energy needs. The programme facilitates exchanges among the South 
Asian countries to learn from the successful CBET in  the region and provide a platform to discuss 
potential energy trade agreements. Exchanges explore the harmonization of economic and 
regulatory aspects for electricity at national and regional levels (see http://ww w.sari -energy.org ). IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  9.4  Other US Bilateral Energy Programmes  
90.  US bilateral energy development programmes focus on engagement with partner LDCs, 
including Burundi and Haiti, and in third -country partnerships involving Bangladesh, Nepal, and 
India. US agencies, including USAID and USTDA, work closely with multilateral development banks 
and other organizations.  
9.4.1   Energy Infrastructure in Burundi  
91.  In Burundi, USTDA supports increased trade and investment by providing US$597,000 to a 
Burundian energy company to fund a feasibility study that will support the development of a 
7.5 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic power plant. The contractor will evaluate the technical and 
commercial viability of the project, conduct environmental and social impact assessments, and 
provide the necessary analysis for the project to seek financing. Implementation of the project will 
increase Burundi 's national power supply by 15% and help to power an estimated 
60,000  households and businesses, thereby increasing access to energy and promoting an 
enabling environment to support growth of the country 's private sector.  
9.4.2   Energy Generation in Haiti  
92.  In Haiti, USTDA supports activities to increase the reliability of electricity generation. 
Economic growth and further development in Haiti, including the  capacity and output of SMEs, is 
severely restricted by the lack of access to reliable electricity. In order to increase the provision of 
electricity in Haitian towns where there is little or no grid electricity supplied, USTDA is providing a 
grant of US$4 84,999 towards a feasibility study to assess and rank the viability of pre -paid 
microgrid development in about 100 Haitian towns. The pre -payment system allows customers to 
purchase electricity in small quantities as they need it, and has been central to t he success of the 
grantee 's microgrid model. The study is identifying the most promising towns for microgrid 
replication, covering aspects related to economic fundamentals, physical infrastructure, municipal 
government receptivity, and potential partners.  
9.4.3   Bilateral and Third -Country Energy Initiatives in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal  
93.  Beyond its broader regional focus, SARI/EI will focus on supporting key bilateral initiatives 
that would lead to CBET through India -Nepal and India -Bangladesh power trade. This will be done 
through:  
 targeted advisory services and technical assistance to support key regional investments  
and create an enabling environment;  
 focussed  analyses and studies to unlock investments in cross -border investment 
projects;  
 skill development to build the technical and professional capacity; and  
 fostering partnerships among electricity traders, financial institutions, and regional 
transmission operators with counterpart agencies and organizations in South Asia.  
10  PROGRAMING AND INCEN TIVES RELATED TO  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTEC TION  
94.  Since 2009, the United States has engaged in a wide range of activities with developing 
countries, with the goal of promoting the development and deployment of climate -friendly 
technologies and practices, and responsible managemen t of the environment and environmental 
resources. The United States promotes its technology development and transfer activities 
bilaterally, plurilaterally, and multilaterally.  
10.1  International Water Management Programming  
95.  The US partnership approach on water  has created momentum that helps ensure self-
sustainability  in water governance and management. After receiving programme funds from US 
agencies, stakeholders have used enhanced capacity to yield positive results in their daily lives.  IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  10.1.1   US Water Partnership  
96.  The US Water Partnership (USWP) was launched at the Department of State in 2012 to 
mobilize US expertise, knowledge and resources to increase global water security, particularly in 
developing countries.  The USWP 's 113 members from the private sector, civi l society, 
government, and academia have committed roughly a billion dollars to address water and 
sanitation challenges worldwide.  On World Water Day 2014, the USWP launched "US Tech H2.0" – 
a web based platform for which highlighted innovative water tech nologies, and in 2015 the USWP 
co-hosted with State and IADB a hemisphere -wide conference on “Water Tech for Resilient Cities”. 
Further, the USWP 's H2infO portal (funded by State Department) empowers those working on 
water in developing countries to access  over 3,500 resources, including connections with experts 
and stakeholders and guidance in thematic areas (see http://h2info.us ). To date, H2infO has 
reached users in 164 countries. USWP 's Water Consultants Program covers t he costs of sending US 
experts on various water topics to developing countries to help locals solve problems.  
10.2  International Forestry Management Programming  
97.  USFS promotes capacity building in support of sustainable forest management and 
biodiversity conserv ation internationally by linking the skills of the field -based staff with partners 
overseas. These activities cover a wide range of topics, m any of which are co -funded with the 
Department of State and USAID ( http://www.fs.fed.us/about -agency/international -
programs/program -topics ). This work involves a variety of partners, including intergovernmental 
organizations, international research and conservation organizations, an d other environmental 
NGOs. USFS scientists and other agency technical experts contribute specialized technical 
assistance to existing projects, conduct training, facilitate research, and publish technical guides to 
promote sustainable forest management an d biodiversity conservation. These activities encompass 
many of the most pressing forestry issues, including fire management, climate change adaptation 
and mitigation, forest monitoring and remote sensing, forest health and invasive species, 
migratory spec ies and habitat management, watershed management, protected areas and 
ecotourism, and sustainable forestry practices.  
10.2.1   USFS -International Union of Forest Research Organizations Partnership  
98.  USFS and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (I UFRO) signed a 
multiyear partnership agreement in 2014 to enhance the contribution of forest science to 
international forest -related policy processes and implementation of sustainable forest resource 
management, particularly in economically disadvantaged c ountries. The agreement achieves 
technology transfer through strengthening national forest research systems in Africa, Asia and 
Latin America, particularly through capacity development, assistance to scientists, and institution -
building. Further, the initi ative supports IUFRO 's global initiatives on mobilizing and disseminating 
forest -related information through Internet and ICT -based channels 
(see http://www.fs.fed.us/research/partnerships ). IUFRO has a long history of providing support 
to the forest science community in Africa, Asia and Latin America. IUFRO implements capacity 
building  activities through its Special Programme for Development of Capacities (IUFRO -SPDC). 
These activities strengthen r esearch programmes and enhance the development and 
implementation of sound forest management policies and practices through the generation and 
dissemination of quality -research results on forests and trees. IUFRO -SPDC 's capacity -building 
activities concent rate on assisting forest research institutions in partner developing countries to 
effectively contribute to shaping national and local forest policies and sustainable forest 
management systems (see http://www.iufro.org/science/special/spdc/ ). 
10.2.2   Supporting Information Services and Knowledge Dissemination  
99.  The United States supports the provision of information services to scientists and 
policymakers in developing countries through the Global Forest Info rmation Service (GFIS). GFIS 
provides a framework for sharing forest -related data and information through a single gateway 
and promotes the dissemination and sharing of forest information and knowledge by developing a 
common information exchange platform, building capacity, and enhancing partnerships among 
forestry information providers and users (see http://www.gfis.net/ ). IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  10.2.3   Improving Forestry Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities  
100.  The U.S. Forest Service (USFS)  Disaster Assistance Support Program me (DASP) was created 
in 1985 to provide the US. Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of US Foreign 
Disaster Assistance (OFDA) with technical support in disaster response, management, planning, 
operations , preparedness and prevention. The DASP enhances and supports OFDA 's capacity to 
respond to disasters by mobilizing a roster of up to 200 disaster management experts from the 
USFS and other agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management.  Because the USFS developed 
and implements the Incident Command System (ICS), which is now the Command and 
Management component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), this partnership 
was originally forged to leverage the USFS 's significant expertise in emergenc y management 
systems in order to build and improve USAID/OFDA 's disaster response capabilities. Over the past 
30 years, the role of DASP has grown to include emergency support functions, providing extensive 
training helping to improve USAID/OFDA 's methodol ogies for disaster response, providing 
NIMS/ICS capacity building program mes to over 20 countries, with OFDA funding, and 
coordinating USAID and Embassy disaster preparedness.  
10.3  International Climate -Related Programming  
101.  At all levels of activity, the princip al US focus is to help support the development of the 
policies and regulations and overall institutional scaffolding required to facilitate technology 
transfer actions. For example, the United States works bilaterally on capacity -building activities on 
appliance efficiency standards, renewable energy policies, and smart -grid regulatory schemes. 
Plurilaterally, the United States works with other countries on regional initiatives to transform 
market structures to expedite technology flows. On the multilateral  level, the United States 
contributes to such global technology transfer institutions as the UN Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (UNFCCC). The US Climate Action Report 2014 provides an exhaustive analysis US 
support for climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. (see 
http://www.state.gov/e/oes/rls/rpts/car6/ ). 
10.3.1   US Programme on SilvaCarbon  
102.  SilvaCarbon is a technical cooperation programme under President Obama 's Global Clima te 
Change Initiative, and a US contribution to the Global Forest Observation Initiative of the 
intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations. SilvaCarbon draws on the strengths of 
cooperating US partners, NGOs, academia, and industry. Partner agencies incl ude the Department 
of State, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NASA, the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Ad ministration (NOAA), USAID, USDA Forest Service, US Geographical Survey of the 
Department of Interior , and the Smithsonian Institution. SilvaCarbon and its partners work with 
developing countries to build capacity for monitoring and managing forest and terrestrial carbon. 
SilvaCarbon helps to identify, test, and disseminate good practices and cost -effective, accurate 
technologies (see http://www.silvacarbon.org/ ). 
10.3.2   Programming Supporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation  
103.  US agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and USAID, build capacity 
for compiling national greenhouse ga s (GHG) inventories to developing countries, including in Asia, 
sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. US program mes focus on the continued development of 
national GHG inventory information management tools. A key tool developed through this work is 
the Ag riculture and Land Use tool that assists countries in applying the guidance provided by the 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This work seeks to develop long -term national 
inventory management systems, improving the methods and data used in the ag riculture, forestry 
and other land use sectors (see  https://www.epa.gov/climatechange/national -ghg-inventory -
capacity -building . USAID 's collaboration with EPA also en hances GHG emissions mitigation and 
economic modelling  capacity in Latin America. EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy 's 
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to lead a multi -year Latin America Modelling Project that 
works to improve regional and  national models and build capacity. Modellers  from Argentina, 
Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico and teams in the United States and the European Union are brought 
together to explore analytical questions critical to improving national -level models and review 
results from a set of climate policy scenarios. The results were released as a series of academic 
papers and presented at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change conference in Lima, IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  Peru. The current round of analysis examines the impacts of climate ch ange on agriculture, 
hydropower, and building energy demand as well as how climate impacts affect mitigation 
strategies.  
10.4  Cross -Cutting Environmental Programming  
104.  The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, a public -private partnership  led by the UN 
Foundation , saves lives, improves livelihoods, empowers women, and combats climate change by 
creating a thriving global market for clean and efficient household cooking solutions. The Alliance 's 
100-by-20 Goal calls for 100 million homes to adopt clean and efficient  stoves and fuels by 2020. 
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over four million annual deaths are 
associated with exposure to cookstove smoke each year, ranking as the world 's fourth worst 
health risk (see http://www.state.gov/s/partnerships/cleancookstoves/ ). To address this issue, the 
United States announced its contribution of up to US$325 million through 2020. This anticipated 
commitment includes leading diplomatic acti vities to advance the Alliance and the cookstoves 
sector; investing US$125 million in new research to build the evidence base for clean cooking 
interventions; attracting up to US$175 million in financing to cookstove businesses; and 
contributing US$25 mill ion towards field implementation activities. Participating US agencies 
include the US Centres  for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS), the Department of State, DOE, EPA, NIH, NOAA, NSF, OPIC, Peace Corps, USAID , 
and USDA.  
10.5  Programming Supporting Oceans and Maritime Ecosystems  
105.  The United States continues to promote and support the adoption of best practices in 
regional ocean governance and the management of coastal and marine ecosystems to ensure the 
long-term pro vision of essential services to affected communities. Such best practices include 
strengthening institutions to sustain climate -related impact; harmonizing and implementing 
ecosystem approaches to fisheries management; establishing a six -country system of marine 
protected areas; and a region -wide early action plan for climate change adaptation.  
11  PROGRAMMING AND INCE NTIVES RELATED TO HE ALTH  
106.  Health research through biomedical and behavioural  funding activities of US agencies, 
including the FDA and NIH, have co ntributed to technology transfer and research capacity 
strengthening  in many LDCs. For new technologies developed by US scientists, NIH voluntarily 
licenses  biological materials and associated patent rights, when applicable, to institutions that can 
bring products to the market in or for LDCs.  
11.1  Biomedical and Behavioural Research  
107.  Scientists often provide know -how to those receiving biological materials such as vaccine 
seed strains with specialized growth requirements. Most of these technologies are associate d with 
diagnostic tests, treatment, vaccination, and prevention for pathogens such as dengue, Ebola, 
Haemophilus Influenzae type b, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), human papillomavirus, 
meningococcus, rotavirus, typhoid bacteria, and varicella -zoster. This technology transfer builds 
manufacturing capacity and associated skill sets by providing access to vaccines that meet public 
health needs (see http://www.ott.nih.gov/licensing/ ). 
11.2  Technology Licenc es 
108.  NIH executed three licenc e agreements related to an Ebola vaccine and therapeutic 
development, as part of a response to the largest outbreak of the virus in recorded history. 
GlaxoSmithKline licensed patent rights and biological materials for a candidate Ebo la vaccine it is 
advancing in partnership with the NIH. Phase I and II studies of this candidate vaccine have been 
completed, making phase III studies possible. ExCell BIO licensed technology for the development 
of a live -attenuated or inactivated rabies -Ebola virus vaccine. SAB Biotherapeutics licensed for 
internal use the same technology licensed to ExCell BIO to evaluate potential use in the 
development of Ebola antibodies. The NIH continued to increase partnerships for the development 
of live -attenuated , tetravalent dengue vaccines. In 2014, NIH executed licenc e agreements to 
provide access to patented technology and biological materials to Merck & Co., Inc. and to Serum IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  Institute of India, along with an amendment to the existing licenc e with Panacea Bio tech. These 
licenc es, like many others highlighted here, abide by the previously established NIH licensing 
practices that are aimed to help populations in LDCs.  
11.3  International Research Initiatives  
109.  NIH collaborations with partner countries and international organizations seek to develop 
solutions aimed at specific, high -priority diseases that affect LDC populations.  
11.3.1   HIV/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Clinical Trials Networks and  
Research Sites  
110.  NIH-funded HIV/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Clini cal Trials Networks and 
their Clinical Trial Units/Clinical Research Sites (CTU/CRS) pursue clinical trials to address the 
highest priorities in HIV/AIDS research, including: (a) vaccine R&D; (b) translational research/drug 
development; (c) optimization of  clinical management, including co -morbidities such as 
tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis and cancer; (d) microbicides; (e) prevention of mother -to-child 
transmission of HIV; and (f) prevention of HIV infection. The networks ' leadership groups and 
CTU/CRS will b roaden in scope with a new focus on research toward a cure for AIDS, hepatitis, and 
TB. Under these programmes, collaborative basic and clinical research is carried out between 
researchers worldwide, including with those in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. These 
research and training programmes support the expansion of basic and clinical research skill sets in 
LDCs, the strengthening of infrastructures to support the development of new drugs and vaccines, 
and the exchange of scientific knowledge wor ldwide.  
11.3.2   Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative  
111.  NIH licensed a technology from FDA researchers for cutaneous and post kala -azar dermal 
leishmaniasis to Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi). The FDA submitted a proposal to 
WHO, which selected the proposal for further development with DNDi as the development partner.  
11.3.3   Initiatives Focus sing on Giardiasis  
112.  Giardiasis, caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, has a significant public health impact in 
Africa, India and certain other regions. NIH licensed, under its start -up licenc e programme, a 
technology to Subrimed for developing novel compounds against this parasite.  
11.3.4   Multilateral Initiative on Malaria  
113.  NIH and WHO 's Special Programme for Training and Research in Tropical Diseases cofounded 
the Multilatera l Initiative on Malaria (MIM) that focusses on LDCs and other malaria prevalent  
countries. MIM 's mission is to increase and enhance worldwide malaria research by facilitating 
multinational research cooperation. NIH has also established malaria research fac ilities in Mali and 
Uganda and has trained local scientists and physicians to conduct malaria research from within 
endemic countries, including those in several LDCs in Africa. NIH also has established an 
international network of centres of excellence for research focussed  on malaria endemic countries 
(see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK3741/ ). 
11.3.5   Initiatives Focus sing on Typhoid Fever  
114.  Typhoid fever is still common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million 
persons each year. NIH executed two licenc es for finding treatments against the causative agent, 
Salmonella typhi (S. typhi). Protein Potential executed an evaluation licenc e agreement for 
S. typhivaccine candidates, while Bha rat Biotech International Ltd. amended an existing licenc e for 
their internal research efforts.  
11.4  Regionally -Focussed  US Health Programming  
115.  HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB cause millions of deaths each year. These three diseases are a 
major cause of poverty throug h their debilitating impact on the active workforce, and significantly 
affect economic development and stability. US agencies, notably NIH, support research activities in IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  many LDCs affected by these diseases. NIH programmes support 37 African countries, in cluding 19 
LDCs, with US$243 million. These research activities contribute directly to the strengthening of 
research capacity in these countries, enhancing prospects for future transfers of technology.  
11.4.1   NIH Infectious  Disease Research Focus in sub -Saharan A frica 
116.  NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) supports HIV/AIDS 
research in many LDCs in sub -Saharan Africa, with most projects conducted in areas with the 
highest incidence of infection and disease, including Malawi, Rwanda, an d Zambia. The recent 
emergence of multidrug -resistant TB and extensively drug -resistant TB, especially in the context of 
HIV/AIDS infection, is being addressed by NIAID -funded projects conducted in several countries 
including Tanzania and Uganda. Malaria r emains a major threat, and NIAID conducts clinical, 
epidemiological, drug, and vaccine and vector research in countries, including Burkina Faso, The 
Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda (see 
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/niaid -research -sub-saharan -africa ). 
11.4.2   NIH Neglected Diseases Research Focus in sub -Saharan Africa  
117.  NIAID has a long -standing programme of research devoted to better understanding, 
treating,  and preventing neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Neglected diseases such as filariasis, 
schistosomiasis, sleeping sickness, and others are receiving support from NIAID in countries 
including Malawi, Mali, and Uganda. NIAID conducts its own basic and cli nical studies and supports 
researchers based in the United States and in countries where NTDs are widespread. NIH 
supported research has helped with training in state -of-the-art research techniques and 
conducting clinical trials in sub -Saharan Africa.  
11.4.3   Huma n Heredity and Health in Africa  
118.  The aim of the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) initiative is to enhance the 
ability of African scientists to apply genomic and epidemiological approaches to shed light on the 
determinants of chronic and infect ious diseases in Africa. H3Africa, now funded at US$76 million 
over five years, is focussed  on capacity building, as well as specific scientific goals. These research 
grants are awarded directly to African institutions where principal investigators are bas ed, which 
allow African scientists to develop and direct their independent research agendas. The programme 
encourages the formation of intracontinental collaborations and development of specific  
infrastructural elements, i.e.  African -based biorepositories and a pan -African bioinformatics 
network. H3Africa also includes training programmes aimed at retaining African scientists on the 
continent to help build a sustainable, critical mass of researchers.  
11.4.4   Initiative on Child and Maternal Health in Malawi  
119.  USAID 's Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths Initiative focussed  on maternal, 
newborn, and child health; family planning/reproductive health; nutrition; and water, sanitation 
and hygiene activities in support of reducing maternal, newborn and child mortal ity. USAID and 
the Department of State supported technology transfer by facilitating the introduction of the 
US$33 million Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine which treats newborns with 
respiratory distress.  
11.4.5   NIH Research Training Programmes for Low -and-Middle -Income -Countries  
120.  NIH's Fogarty International Centre supports several research training programmes that 
include training for low -and-middle –income -country (LMIC) biomedical researchers and research 
institutions and contribute to technolog y transfer and capacity building. Programmes include the 
AIDS International Training and Research Programme, the Global Infectious Disease Research 
Training Programme, the Fogarty HIV Research Training Programme and the Medical Education 
Partnership Initia tive. The programmes involve researchers and medical personnel from LMIC 
countries (see http://www.fic.nih.gov/Programs/Pages/default.aspx/ ). IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  12  PROGRAMMING AND INCE NTIVES RELATED TO BU ILDING  LABOUR CAPACITY  
121.  US agencies, including the US Department of Labour (USDOL), seek to ensure that workers 
around the world are treated fairly and are able to share in the benefits of the global economy. 
USDOL has developed international projects and joint e fforts that aid other countries and 
international organizations to better understand the problems facing workers throughout the world 
and to strengthen international labour standards and worker protections. These programmes build 
capacity in global labour markets and help to level the playing field among trading partners.  
12.1  Better Work Programme  
122.  USDOL is supporting the International Finance Corporation - International Labour 
Organization 's (ILO) Better Work Programme in several developing countries, including  in LDCs 
Cambodia, Haiti, and Lesotho. The Better Work Programme improves working conditions in global 
textile and apparel supply chains by monitoring factories ' compliance with national labour laws and 
international labour standards and providing technica l assistance to factories that need to improve 
their compliance. The Better Work Programme uses competition to encourage improvements in 
working conditions by making the findings from their monitoring programme public, so that major 
brands and buyers can u se labour conditions as a factor in considering where to place their orders. 
USDOL has provided over US$20 million in grants to the programme. With the participation of over 
60 international buyers, the Better Work Programme is now operating in 1,300 facto ries, impacting 
1,454,660 workers. The programme has demonstrated that compliance with labour standards can 
help enterprises be more competitive by attracting international buyers and expanding their 
orders, as well as contributing to improved productivity  and better labour relations, ultimately 
leading to increased economic development (see http://www.dol.gov/ilab/projects/better -work/ ). 
12.2  Improving Working Conditions in Bangladesh through Buildin g and Fire Safety  
Programming  
123.  In response to the Bangladesh Rana Plaza disaster, USDOL i s funding a US$1.5 million Fire 
and General Building Safety project that aims to improve Bangla desh's fire and building safety 
policies and plans; enhance its capacity to efficiently and effect ively inspect and ensure timely 
remediation of fire and general building hazards and protection against employer retaliation for 
reporting hazards; and provide education and outreach to em ployers and workers on fire and 
general bui lding safety, with improved social dialogue among t ripartite partners (government, 
worker organizations and employer organizations). The pr oject, spanning from 2013 -2017, 
provides assistance to the Bangladesh Ministry of Labour in th e development of a prot ocol for 
remediation, and to the Bangladesh University of Engineering and  Technology (BUET) in approving 
factory corrective action plans (CAP). Active partners in t he project include the ILO, the 
Government of Bangladesh Ministry of Labour 's Directorate of  Inspec tions and Fire Safety and Civil 
Defence (FSCD) and BUET. This group focusses on vetting structural and fire/electrical consultants,  
tracking the CAPs, and monitoring remediation work. The project has also supported FSCD 
training, which has increased  the number of inspectors fr om 55 to 268 over the term (see 
http://www.dol.gov/ilab/projects/summaries/Bangla%20ILO%20%20Project%20Summary.pdf ). 
13  PROGRAMMES A ND INCENTIVES RELATE D TO TRANSPORTATION  
124.  US agencies, including the Department of State and Depa rtment of Transportation (DOT), 
operate programmes such as Open Skies and Safe Skies. Thes e programmes between the United 
States and partner countries have vastl y expanded opportunities for international passenger and 
cargo flights to and from the United States, promoting increased travel, trade, and business  
contact; enhancing productivity; and spurring high -quality job opportunities and economic growth. 
The incr eased travel, trade, and business contacts promoted by expanded air traffic facilitate 
private sector technology transfer.  
13.1  Open Skies Agreements  
125.  Open Skies Agreements eliminate governmental interference in the commercial decisions of 
air carriers concernin g routes, capacity, and pricing, freeing carriers to provide more affordable, 
convenient, and efficient air service to consumers. The United States has achieved Open Skies with 
over 110 partners from every region of the world and at every level of economic  development. IP/C/W/616/Add.5  
 
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  Since 1992, the United States has concluded Open Skies agreements with 16 LDCs: Bangladesh, 
Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, The Gambia, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Mali, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, 
Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia (see http://www.state.gov/e/eb/tra/ata/ ). 
13.2 Safe Skies for Africa Programme  
 
126.  The Safe Skies for Africa Programme (SSFA) is based on the premise that "Safe Skies" are a 
prerequisite for African economic developm ent through increased trade and investment. SSFA 
works to promote sustainable improvements in aviation safety in Africa as a means of advancing 
economic development and increased investment for Africa. The overarching goal of the 
programme is to increase t he number of African nations meeting International Civil Aviation 
Organization standards. Through the programme, the DOT has directly trained African experts 
through the US Federal Aviation Administration, both in the United States and in -country. These 
capacity -building efforts have resulted in thousands of personnel receiving state -of-the-art training 
to address airworthiness, operations, air navigation, aviation security (in partnership with the 
Transportation Security Administration), as well as acciden t investigation processes and 
procedures (in partnership with the US National Transportation Safety Board). SSFA participants 
include several LDCs, including Angola, Cameroon, Mali, and Tanzania. SSFA 's efforts have also 
included regional outreach through the EAC and the Banjul Accord Group 
(see http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Documents/Safe%20Skies%20for%20Africa.pdf ). 
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