WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
IP/C/W/568 
20 February 2012 
 (12-0964) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES AND ASSISTANCE  
FOR LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 
 
Communication from the European Union 
 
  The following communication, dated 15 February 2012, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of the European Union.  
_______________ 
 
  This document complements the information provided by the EU in September 2011 on the implementation of Article 67 of the TRIPS Agre ement (IP/C/W/560/Add.7).  It provides further 
information regarding specific IP technical assistan ce that the EU has provided to Least Developed 
Countries (LDCs), including in response to a number of priority needs identified by some LDCs.  It 
also contains further information as to how the EU provides assistance and the mechanisms available 
for LDCs in order to assist them in implementing the TRIPS Agreement.  
  
Page 
I.  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITHIN  THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ..................... 2  
II.  RECENT EU FUNDED IP PROJECTS FOR LDCS ............................................................ 5  
 
Annex 
A.  TECHNICAL  ASSISTANCE  PROGRAMMES ...................................................................... 10  
B.  EUROPEAN  DEVELOPMENT  FUND  (EDF) ........................................................................ 19  
C.  FINANCING  INSTRUMENT  FOR  DEVELOPMENT  COOPERATION  - DCI .................... 20  
 
  
 
  IP/C/W/568 
Page 2  
 
   
I. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH IN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Who does what within the European Commissi on with respect to technical assistance 
 
1. Country and regional response strategies, and i ndicative programming, are formulated by the 
European External Action service, which define stra tegic orientations as well as overall allocations by 
sector (focal areas), in close consultation with the partner countries or regions.  
2. In the context of this framework, individual programmes and projects are later identified and 
appraised by the European Commission's Director ate-General for Devel opment and Cooperation – 
EuropeAid (DG DEVCO), EU Delegations and the partner country/region's authorities.  
3. Technical assistance programmes of the European Commission are finally implemented by 
the partner country administration, specially est ablished programme management units or other 
agencies (including Member States, international in stitutions such as the UN) under the supervision of 
EU Delegations and DG DEVCO.  The Directorate-General for External Trade (DG TRADE) is associated to the programme design process in as far as Trade-Related Assistance programmes are 
concerned through informal processes and involvement  in the quality support groups and inter-service 
consultation. 
4. Separate programmes on IPRs exist only in few countries.  Other IP assistance projects are 
integrated into and are managed as part of larger trade capacity-building and development 
programmes.  All assistance is demand-driven from partner countries. 
5. The mandate of the European Commission, as one  of the largest provi ders of development 
assistance, is broad and covers many aspects. DG DE VCO's main mandate is sustainable development 
and poverty reduction.  While Official Development Aid is undertaken in the sole interest of the 
partner countries and regions, it is important that DG TRADE ensures that trade policy aspects, in 
particular where the EU's multilateral commitments  to deliver specific as sistance are concerned , are 
covered within the Commissi on's development programme. 
Objectives and content of European Commi ssion IP technical assistance programmes 
 
6. The Commission has a broad development and poverty reduction mandate in its external 
cooperation.  As such, the objectives of trade-relate d programmes, including IP programmes, need to 
relate to the economic development strate gies of the partner country concerned. 
7. Depending on the partner countries' needs, IP t echnical cooperation can focus on one or more 
of the following activities: 
 To help partner countries to adopt laws and re gulations that are compliant with the TRIPS 
Agreement and supportive to national objectives (economic development, social and health 
objectives, for example); 
 
 To advise and clarify the flexibilities and opti ons available under the TRIPS Agreement, 
notably with regard to access to medicines, traditional knowledge and genetic resources, and 
geographical indications, so that IP protecti on and enforcement responds to domestic policy 
objectives.  For example, the EU is ready to help partner countries to implement the Doha 
Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health, and mo re generally speaking, the EU can provide 
advice on how to reconcile the need to enc ourage innovation with the need to protect 
consumers and competition; 
  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 3 
 
 
   To advise on how to organise the administrativ e apparatus, e.g. patent offices, collective 
management societies', etc.; 
 
 To provide training for administrative and judicial staff; 
 
 To increase awareness amongst potential right-holders; 
 
 To train staff in the administration of IP protection and management methods. 
 
Definition of IP Technical Assistance Programmes and Implementation  
8. Intellectual property programmes are subject to the same guiding principles of all other 
technical assistance programmes. Country and regi onal response strategies are developed by the 
European External Action Service (EEAS) and DG  DEVCO, in response to national or regional 
development strategies.  It is therefore important that trade issues are main streamed in national (or 
regional) development strategies and that capacity  needs and priorities are duly defined in these, 
including in areas such as IP.  
9. The EU response strategies ar e the result of in-country discussions between the EU and 
government, including consultations with developmen t partners and stakeholders.  Those discussions 
enable EEAS and DG DEVCO to identify initial needs.   It is at this stage that a broad outline of 
programmes will be developed and include refere nce to trade-related assistance programmes, 
including IP, if they are appropriate for the country.  The strategies cover a 4 to 5 year period (depending on the region) and ar e subject to a mid-term review process.  EU delegations in the 
respective country should be the first point of contact for LDCs who are interested in pursuing 
technical assistance in the area of IP. 
10. DG DEVCO is responsible for preparing and implementing specific programmes under this 
strategy.  Technical implementation of programme s is then typically outsourced to external 
consultants using the Commission's standard pro cedures and public calls for tender with selection 
based on competition, both technically and financia lly.  This means that host country governments 
under the supervision of the EU's in-country delegations are responsible for programme 
implementation. Key stakeholders – government re presentatives, private sector, civil society, donors 
and other relevant institutions – are involved in the on the ground needs assessment and programme 
design.  Monitoring is conducted in a sim ilar manner to other development programmes. 
How is European Commission IP technical assistance financed? 
 
11. Currently, all trade-related programmes, incl uding on IP, are financed out of either the 
European Development Fund (EDF, for ACP countri es) or the Development Cooperation Instrument 
(DCI).  Allocations, inter alia of Trade-Related Assistance programmes, are decided in Annual Action 
Plans which follow the strategy and indicative programming established in Country and Regional 
Strategy papers. 
12. It is worth noting that, as far as programming is concerned, the legal basis for the cooperation 
with ACP countries, financed by the European De velopment Fund (EDF), is the Cotonou Agreement 
(revised in March 2010), whereas for cooperation with  other countries, financed by the EU budget, 
the legal basis is constituted by specific basic ac ts such as the Development Cooperation Instrument 
(DCI) Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 (see the Anne x for further information on the EDF and DCI).
1 
                                                      
1 Official Journal of the European Union L378/41 of 27 December 2006. IP/C/W/568 
Page 4  
 
  13. Country/Regional Strategy papers and corresponding national/regional indicative 
programmes, as well as their related annual action pr ogrammes, are presented to representatives of all 
EU member States in the EDF or DCI committees, the majority of which have to give a positive 
opinion before the European Commi ssion can make a final decision. 
Donor Coordination and Information Exchange 
 
14. In intellectual property, as in any other area, donor co-ordination is part of the overall aid 
effectiveness agenda, which relies on government s to own and manage co-ordination processes. 
The Development Dimension 
  
15. The European Commission fully integrates the development dimension in its IP technical 
assistance. In this respect, it helps developing a nd least-developed countries make full and effective 
use of the possibilities offered by the TRIPS Agreement, such as: 
 In the field of public health, by enabling countries in need to recognise and act on the 
implications of the TRIPS Agreement on public health policies and establish workable laws, 
procedures and practices to give effect to the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and 
Public Health and the WTO Decision of 30 Augus t 2003.  This requires balanced, transparent 
and unbiased technical advice on how to best inte grate the Doha Declaration into IP policies 
and practices.  
 
 In the field of geographical indications (GIs),  by assisting these countries in  recognising and 
protecting their own GIs that can generate in creased revenues and help developing countries' 
products make inroads in foreign markets, par ticularly in Europe, where GIs enjoy consumer 
recognition.  Developing countries and LDCs ha ve an interest to protect their own GIs 
through a system that enables producers to ex ercise some control over the quality, handling 
and marketing of their products.  
 
16. Technical assistance also addresses the issue of  counterfeiting and piracy.  Ensuring the 
respect of IPRs in a balanced and effective mann er is crucial in relation to attracting foreign 
investment, developing R&D activities and encour aging technology transfer, all important to 
developing countries. 
EU member States 
 
17. It should be noted that EU Member States have  their own bilateral agreements and implement 
their own initiatives with developing countries that are financed by national budgets, not the EDF or 
any EU funds.  More information on these initiatives can be found in the information provided by the 
EU on its technical cooperation activities under Artic le 67 of the TRIPS Agreement, as submitted to 
the TRIPS Council in September 2011 (IP/C/W/560/Add.7).  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 5 
 
 
  II. RECENT EU FUNDED IP PROJECTS FOR LDCS 
UGANDA 
 
Strengthening public-private dialogue to update Uganda's national Intellectual Property policy, legal and regulatory framework
2 
 18. This project arose out of the recommendations  of a comprehensive needs assessment and 
stakeholder consultation exercise conducted in Uganda  in mid 2007, by ICTSD and Saana Consulting, 
with financial support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID).  Based on this 
needs assessment, in October 2007, Uganda made a formal submission of its priority needs for 
technical and financial assistance to the WTO TRIPS Council (IP/C/W/500 and IP/C/W/510).  
19. The Final Report of the comprehensive needs asse ssment in 2007 highlighted the need for "an 
overarching national IP policy framework developed a nd supported by all interested stakeholders, and 
covering the policy linkages between IP and public  health (including implementation of the WTO 
Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Ag reement and Public Health in Uganda);  agriculture and the 
environment including plant variety protection;  education, science and technology; enterprise 
development and regulation; protecting Uganda's rich  cultural heritage and tr aditional knowledge; and 
consumer interests."  
20. Therefore this project was aimed at addressing, firstly, the outstanding requirements for 
enhancing and updating the IP policy, legal and regul atory framework in line with Uganda's national 
development objectives, internationa l obligations under the TRIPS Agre ement and other IP treaties.  
Secondly, to ensure that in this process, the n eeds of the private sector and civil society were 
addressed. 
21. The project took place under the ACP Business Climate Facility (BizClim), an ACP-EU joint 
initiative financed under the 9
th European Development Fund (E DF).  The contractor, Danish 
Technological Institute, carried out the following assignments: 
Component 1 – eight studies on key IP policy issues to nourish the national IP policy and legislative 
development process which would be considered in a National IP Forum: 
 
(i) Implementation of the WTO Doha Declara tion on the TRIPS Agreement and Public 
Health; 
(ii) Developing IP Policy on Food Security (p lant variety protection and patenting); 
(iii) IP asset creation and innovation in Uganda; 
(iv) Development of IP policies for universities, technical colleges and research institutes; 
(v) Civil, administrative and criminal law standards in IP enforcement; 
(vi) Developing policies governing traditional knowledge (TK) and access and benefit 
sharing (ABS) concerning the exploitation of biological resources in Uganda;  
(vii) IP Policies for the protection of tradition al cultural expressions in Uganda;  and 
                                                      
2 Details extracted from the Final Report: Strengthening public-private dialogue to update Uganda 
national Intellectual Property policy, legal and regulatory framework. Project No. 022/2008/WP2/ 
Project No. 28.1-1.029.Danish Technological Institute. IP/C/W/568 
Page 6  
 
  (viii) Collective management of copyright works in Uganda 
Component 2 - Organization of the first annual Nati onal IP Policy Forum in 3 cities, to sensitize the 
Uganda private sector and civil society on the ch allenges and opportunities represented by the IP 
regulations. 
 
The National IP Policy Forum was conducted in th ree workshops in June 2009.  The workshops 
commenced with a presentation which identified the objectives of the Forum as being to:  (i) sensitize 
the Uganda private sector and civil society on th e challenges and opportunities represented by IP 
regulation;  (ii) present and discuss the technical st udies of key IP policy concerns;  (iii) provide an 
informal opportunity for intensive consultation and in teraction with a cross-section of stakeholders; 
and (iv) discuss the emerging orientations, objectiv es and proposals for the development of an over-
arching Ugandan IP policy.  Two introductory pr esentations surveyed the national, regional and 
international IP landscape and the role of IP in innovation, technology transfer and economic 
development. These were followed by the presentation of the eight special studies.   
Each of the special studies was followed by discu ssion and debate including questions to clarify the 
various categories of IPR or other technical aspects , and how these would be applied to specific cases 
and situations and how the matters raised would contribute to the formulation of national IP policy. 
 
Technical Assistance to the Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry in the Area of 
Intellectual Property Rights (August 2009)  
 
Summary 
 
22. The overall objective was to bring Uganda's IP  regulatory framework in line with the TRIPS 
Agreement as well as other applicable multila teral and regional/bilateral IP Agreements. 
23. The specific objectives were: 
 Review existing literature of policy and legisla tive work on IP carried out in Uganda and/or 
countries with simila r characteristics. 
 Review of existing laws and regulations on IP in Uganda. 
 Conduct consultations with all stakeholders in Uganda (two national workshops organised for 
small groups of stakeholders including parliamentarians). 
 Draft/revise/review legislation and regulation, as appropriate, in the area of IP. 
 Present results during a national seminar for all stakeholders in Uganda. 
 
Detail
3 
 
24. In July 2008, the MTTI submitted a request to TradeCom for support in its implementation of 
the WTO TRIPS Agreement by the 2013 deadline.  Th e request received was to assist Uganda in this 
regard by providing MTTI with a team of two legal experts to assi st domestic institutions in the 
drafting and revision of Ugandan IP  legislation and regulations.  The specific objective of the project 
was to bring Uganda's IP regulatory framework in  line with the TRIPS Agreement as well as other 
applicable multilateral and regional/bilateral IP Agreements.  The project was tendered to the 
International Institute for the Advanced Study of  Cultures, Institutions and Economic Enterprise 
(IIAS)). 
                                                      
3 Extracted from Final Report on T echnical Assistance to the Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Trade and 
Industry in the Area of Intellectual Property  Rights. Project Reference: 9.ACP.RPR.007. 
Contract No: 62/TA/TradeCom/P85. The International Institute for the Advanced Study of Cultures, Institutions 
and Economic Enterprise (IIAS).  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 7 
 
 
   
25. The project was particularly successful in identif ying institutional barriers to Uganda's ability 
to effectively exploit flexibilities within the multilatera l system that could be significant in its efforts 
to strengthen development-oriented policies in  the areas of public health and education. 
26. The emerging collaboration between key stakeholders across a variety of sectors promises to 
be an important aspect of sustaining the results of this project, and in fostering the domestic 
commitment to maintain reform efforts in the area of geographical indications , industrial property and 
the completion of Regulations for the Copyright Act.  
BANGLADESH   
 
Intellectual Property Rights Project  (July 2008 - July 2011) 
 
27. The purpose of this project was to strengthe n Bangladesh's national capacity to develop, 
modernize, administer and use its intellectual property system to meet national developmental 
objectives taking into account the relevant internat ional standards, including those under the TRIPS 
Agreement.   
28. The project was implemented through a Contri bution Agreement between the EU and WIPO, 
and operating through a project office in the Depart ment of Patents, Trad emarks and Designs under 
the Ministry of Industries.  The project budge t was €1,220,000 of which €1,100,000 was the EU 
contribution.  This project was key among initiatives to  improve the protection of IPRs, as reported by 
Bangladesh in its formal needs assessment submitted to the WTO.  
29. The project had six main objectives: 
 Strengthened capacity in formulating policy and modernising legislation (taking into account 
relevant international IP standa rds and trends, including TRIPS); 
 
 Modernised industrial property (patents, tr ademarks) system through streamlining and 
automating administrative functions (to pr ovide services to users including enhanced 
technical and managerial capab ility of the relevant staff); 
 
 Strengthened copyright and related rights sy stem (and improved services to authors, 
performers, and other beneficiaries or us ers of protected works and productions); 
 
 Enhanced recognition of the importance of en forcement and establishment of appropriate 
measures; 
 
 Enhanced awareness about the IP system among the potential beneficiaries of the system – 
scientific, technological, industrial and busin ess communities (and of the benefits of 
strengthened links between them and the IP ad ministration, so as to facilitate and improve 
conditions for innovative, inve ntive and creative industries, to encourage transfer of 
technology, and to improve their capacity to optimise the benefits from the creation use and 
management of IP assets);  and 
 
 Enhanced public knowledge about the role, use and benefits of the IP system. 
 IP/C/W/568 
Page 8  
 
  Highlights 
 
30. High levels of satisfaction were  reported for the Workshop on the Enforcement of Intellectual 
Property Rights for Law Enforcement  and the Officials Colloquium for Judges on the Enforcement of 
Intellectual Property Rights. 
31. There was active participation across the priv ate sector, law firms, government, research 
institutions, and high satisfaction with the Works hop on IP and Business Development.  The overall 
aim of the workshop was to create a critical mass of professionals with the basic knowledge and skills 
to provide preliminary assistance to entrepreneur s and SMEs on IP and business competitiveness.   
32. WIPO also carried out an advisory mission on assessing needs in the area of industrial 
property information  and a national survey on potential users and their needs. 
ZAMBIA 
 
Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Commerc e, Trade and Industry in Intellectual Property  
(Dec 2008 - June 2009)  
33. The objectives of the project, carried out by th e International Institute for the Advanced Study 
of Cultures, Institutions and Economic Enterprise (IIAS), were: 
 To bring Zambia's IP legislation and regul ation in conformity with the WTO's TRIPS 
Agreement and applicable regional and in ternational IP Treaties and Agreements; 
 
 To propose the legal framework and draft legi slation for the protection of relatively new 
forms of intellectual property that are not c overed by the current legislation including 
traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressi ons (folklore) and genetic resources;  and 
 
 To build institutional capacity for IP implem enting agencies and enhance Zambia's ability to 
harness IP for socio-economic development. 
 
The Drafting Process
4 
 
34. The drafting of the laws presented, which was undertaken following the conclusion of a 
Project Validation Workshop on 9-10 November 2009, was guided by the following overarching considerations: 
(a) Bringing Zambia's IP legislation into conform ity with its international obligations – as 
outlined in detail in IIAS' Progress Report, Zambia 's existing IP laws fall short of satisfying a 
number of international agreements to which Zambia  is a party, in particular, the laws fail to 
adhere to the standards of the TRIPS Agreement.   The laws presented in the IIAS Report were 
designed to ameliorate this deficiency and bri ng Zambia into full compliance with all of its 
international IP obligations. 
 
(b) Ensuring a balance between the rights provided to IP owners and the interest of the general 
public in the broad accessibility of knowledge  goods – Zambia has a strong interest in 
ensuring access to essential technology by domestic firms as well as agencies of the Zambian 
                                                      
4 Details extracted from the Final Report: Technical  Assistance to the Zambia  Ministry of Commerce, 
Trade and Industry in Intellectual Propert y. Project Reference: 9.ACP.RPR.007. 
Contract No: 76/TA/TradeCom/P93.  The International Institute for the Advanced Study of Cultures, 
Institutions and Economic Enterprise (IIAS).  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 9 
 
 
  Government. The draft legislation attempted to st rike a balance between the rights afforded to 
IP right holders on the one hand and the access mech anisms available to IP users on the other. 
To ensure this balance, the drafts incorporated  the vast majority of exceptions and limitations 
to exclusive rights available under the current mu ltilateral IP system.  Notably, the legislation 
included provisions that will enable Zambia to  take advantage of the mechanism established 
under the WTO General Council Decision of 30 A ugust 2003 in response to the difficulties of 
WTO Members with insufficient manufacturing capacities in the pharmaceutical sector to 
make effective use of compulsory licensing, as identified by the Doha Declaration on the 
TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, and th e Appendix to the Berne Convention on the 
Protection of Literary and Artistic Works ( 1971).  The inclusion of these provisions, among 
others, should enhance the ability of the Governme nt of Zambia to satisfy important domestic 
development needs in the area of public health and education. 
(c) Accommodating stakeholders' requests – during and after the Project Validation Workshop, 
IIAS received a number of comments and suggestions in respect of the draft legislation from a variety of Zambian stakeholders.  To the exte nt possible, all of the comments and requests 
submitted to IIAS were taken into consider ation during the drafting process and, where 
feasible, reflected in the draft laws. IP/C/W/568 
Page 10  
 
  Annex 
 
A. TECHNICAL  ASSISTANCE  PROGRAMMES 
TRADECOM1 
 
1. The TradeCom Programme was established to pr ovide and coordinate tr ade-related technical 
assistance to ACP countries. It has aimed at conso lidating, and even creating, where absent, the 
necessary capacity that would enable them to craft tr ade policies, with a view to achieve sustainable 
development, poverty reduction a nd successful integration of ACP countries into the global trading 
system.  The Programme has therefore intended to  develop capacity within the ACP countries and 
regions and to provide intellectual expertise to he lp them to devise their own development-oriented 
trade policies, to implement existing trade agr eements, and to formulate effective negotiation 
strategies on trade matters. 
Who has been eligible to apply 
 ACP Countries 
 All 79 countries and their government bodies have b een potential beneficiaries of the TradeCom 
Facility. 
 
Regional Integration Organisations 
 These included the following organisations: 
 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 
 Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) 
 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) 
 Southern African Development Community (SADC) 
 African Union Commission (AU) 
 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) 
 West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) 
 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 
 Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) 
 
Other beneficiaries  
 
Other potential beneficiaries of the TradeCom Facility were:  
 Universities and other training and educational institutions 
 Non-governmental organisations main ly active in trade-related issues 
 Organizations duly representative of the business sector, such as chambers of commerce and 
professional associations, and  
 Organizations duly representative of consumers or other actors of the civil society involved 
mainly in trade-related issues 
 The operational implementation period for TR ADECOM will end in March 2012.  A follow-up 
programme is currently being considered by the Commission. 
 
                                                      
1 Details extracted from http://www.tradecom-acpeu.org .  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 11 
 
 
  Recent projects 
 
Beneficiary 
country (ies) Title and date of the event 
 Description 
Uganda  Technical assistance to the 
Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry in the Area 
of IPR 
Kampala, December 2008 - July 2009 The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 To bring Uganda's IP regulatory framework in line with 
the TRIPS Agreement as we ll as other applicable 
multilateral and regional/bilateral IP Agreements.   
 The specific objectives  were as follows: 
 Review existing literature of policy and legislative work 
on IP carried out in Uganda and/or countries with similar 
characteristics. 
 Review of existing laws and regulations on IP in Uganda. 
 Conduct consultations with all stakeholders in Uganda 
(two national workshops organised for small groups of 
stakeholders including parliamentarians). 
 Draft/revise/review legisl ation and regulation, as 
appropriate, in the area of IP. 
 Present results during a national seminar for all 
stakeholders in Uganda. 
Pacific Islands 
Forum 
Secretariat Pacific Regional Action Plan for 
Traditional Knowledge (TK) 
Development 
Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, 
Papua New Guinea, Palau, Vanuatu, 2008-2010 The specific objectives of the project were: 
 Protect the rights of traditional resource owners in their 
traditional knowledge and expressions of culture  
 Model Law on TK and Expressions of Culture 
 Protect the rights of traditional resource owners in their TK 
and biological/genetic resources through the 
implementation of the Model Law on Traditional 
Biological Resources, Innovations and Practices and assist countries in its implementation, administration and 
enforcement on ce endorsed. 
 Assist countries develop, implement, administer and 
enforce "Access and Benefit Sharing Arrangements" for 
the utilization of TK resources. 
 Assist countries develop databases for TK. 
 Assist countries develop cultural industries. 
Zambia Technical Assistance to the 
Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in Intellectual 
Property 
Zambia, Dec. 2008- June 2009 The specific objectives of the project were: 
 Bring Zambia's IP legislation and regulation in conformity 
with the WTO's TRIPS Agreemen t and applicable regional 
and international IP Treaties and Agreements; 
 Propose the legal framework and draft legislation for the 
protection of relatively new forms of intellectual property 
that are not covered by the current legislation including 
traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions (folklore) and genetic resources;  and 
 Build institutional capacity for IP implementing agencies 
and enhance Zambia's ability to harness IP for socio-
economic development. IP/C/W/568 
Page 12  
 
  Beneficiary 
country (ies) Title and date of the event 
 Description 
Mauritius Technical assistance to the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 
International Trade and Cooperation to update IP 
legislation and build the 
capacity of officials for the enforcement of IPRs in 
Mauritius 
June 2009 – December 2009, Mauritius The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 Update IP legislation in conformity with international 
obligations; 
 Improve capacity of officials involved in the enforcement 
of IPRs in Mauritius; 
 The specific objectives  were as follows: 
 Identify constraints and impediments hampering the 
implementation of IPRs and identify measures to address 
them; 
 Propose amendments to existing legislation to ensure 
compliance with international obligations, and propose 
new legislation for geographical indications, traditional 
knowledge, traditional cultural expressions (folklore) and animal and plant and genetic resources; 
 Build institutional capacity for and strengthen coordination 
of officials involved in th e enforcement of IPRs in 
Mauritius; 
 Disseminate the benefits, rights and obligations of IP 
through print media to the general public, in particular the private sector and persons involved in the production of 
cultural goods and services. 
Ghana Capacity Building to Enhance 
the Competitiveness of the 
Pharmaceutical Industry in 
Ghana in line with the WTO TRIPS Agreement 
May 2007 – September 2007  The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 Support the integration of the economy of Ghana into the 
global economy which is embedded within an overall 
development goal ultimately to reduce poverty, encourage sustainable development and to enhance the quality and 
quantity of the delivery of health services and the 
Provision of Pharmaceutical pr oducts to meet social and 
economic objectives.   
 
The specific objectives  were as follows: 
 Increase awareness on the imp lications of the WTO TRIPS 
and Public Health Agreement on the Health and 
Pharmaceutical  sector in Ghana 
 Undertake analytical studies on the Pharmaceutical Sector 
to identify legal, policy and institutional constraints and 
other obstacles preventing Ghana from taking advantage of 
the TRIPS, Public Health related Agreement and the 
enforcement of Patent La ws in the country.  
 In the light of the 2006 Post-Hong Kong Modalities, 
review and analyze ongoing negotiations on the TRIPS 
Agreement and recommend WTO and Economic Partnership Agreement positions to Government and 
stakeholders within the sector.  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Beneficiary 
country (ies) Title and date of the event 
 Description 
OAPI Capacity building project 
supporting OAPI's 
implementation of the Plant Variety Protection System 
May 2007 – August 2007 The specific objectives of th e project were as follows: 
 Establish a regional system of protection for plant 
varieties, to receive and consider applications for protection, issue licences to ne w plant varieties, ensure the 
continuation of the scheme, and to publish an official 
newsletter. 
 The staffs of the OAPI and member states train in the 
management of the scheme for the regional system of 
protection for plant varieties. 
 Improve the availability in quality and quantity of new 
varieties of improved seeds . 
All ACP All ACP Conference on 
Geographical Indications 
June 2010 – November 2010, 
Conference 3-5 November 2010, Brussels The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 Support ACP countries and regions in the development of 
niche markets for their products, thus stimulating 
economic development, improving the livelihood of ACP populations and contributing to poverty alleviation.  
 
The specific objectives  were as follows: 
 The Conference was the culmin ation of the three regional 
workshops held on the issue and to underscore the 
importance of continued dialogue and experience-sharing on the issue of GIs, to highlight the potential for a number 
of ACP products to benefit from GI protection and the role 
of governments in providing the technical support needed 
to carry out neccessary policy, legislative and institutional 
reforms to enable ACP producers to take advantage of GIs. 
CARICOM Regional workshop on the 
Development Benefits of 
Geographical Indications (GIs) 
Protection for the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) 
Group of States 
January – June 2009, Workshop 14-15 June 2010, Trinidad and 
Tobago The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 Support to the CARIFORUM Region in the development 
of niche markets for their products, thus stimulating 
economic development, improving the livelihood of ACP populations, and contributing to poverty alleviation.  
 
The specific objectives  were as follows: 
 Sensitize relevant stakeholders from the CARIFORUM 
Region on: (i) the nature, scope and function of GIs; 
(ii) the international context for GI protection; (iii) the 
potential GIs offer as a tool for proprietors to develop 
markets for their products;  and (iv) the necessary 
conditions that need to be in place to enhance this potential. 
 Identify CARIFORUM Region products qualifying for GI 
protection and enhance the capac ity of their stakeholders to 
utilize GIs for important development needs. 
 Aid policymakers from the CARIFORUM Region in the 
development of national/regional policy, legislative and 
institutional frameworks for GI administration and 
regulation. IP/C/W/568 
Page 14  
 
  Beneficiary 
country (ies) Title and date of the event 
 Description 
OAPI Regional workshop on the 
Development Benefits of 
Geographical Indications (GIs) Protection for the African, 
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) 
Group of States January – June 2009, Workshop 
27-28 April 2010, Cameroun The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 Support the French-speaking African ACP countries with 
the development of niche markets for their products, thus stimulating economic development, improving the 
livelihood of their populations, and contributing to poverty 
alleviation.  
The specific objectives  were as follows: 
 Sensitize relevant stakeholders from the French-speaking 
African ACP countries on:  (i) the nature, scope and function of GIs;  
(ii) the international context for GI protection;  
(iii) the potential GIs offer as a tool for proprietors to 
develop markets for their products; and  
(iv) the necessary conditions that need to be in place to 
enhance this potential. 
 Identify products from French-speaking African ACP 
countries qualifying for GI protection and enhance the capacity of their stakeholders to utilize GIs for important 
development needs. 
 Aid policymakers from the Fr ench-speaking African ACP 
countries in the development of national/regional policy, 
legislative and institutional frameworks for GI 
administration and regulation. 
ARIPO Regional workshop on the 
Development Benefits of 
Geographical Indications (GIs) 
Protection for the African, 
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) 
Group of States Workshop 10-11
 May 2010, 
South Africa The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 Support the English-speaking African ACP countries with 
the development of niche markets for their products, thus 
stimulating economic development, improving the 
livelihood of their populations, and contributing to poverty 
alleviation.  
The specific objectives  were as follows: 
 Sensitize relevant stakeholders from the English-speaking 
African ACP countries on: (i) the nature, scope and function of GIs; (ii) the international context for GI 
protection; (iii) the potential GIs offer as a tool for 
proprietors to develop markets for their products; and (iv) the necessary conditions that  need to be in place to 
enhance this potential. 
 Identify products from English-speaking African ACP 
countries qualifying for GI protection and enhance the 
capacity of their stakeholders to utilize GIs for important 
development needs. 
 Aid policymakers from the E nglish-speaking African ACP 
countries in the development of national/regional policy, legislative and institutional frameworks for GI 
administration and regulation. 
Melanesian 
Spearhead  Group 
Secretariat Technical Assistance to Study 
the Feasibility of a Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement 
Mechanism for TK between 
Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu 
and Develop a Draft TK Law 
August – November 2010 The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 To study the feasibility of a reciprocal recognition and 
enforcement mechanism for TK  between Fiji, Papua New 
Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu; and, to draft and 
agree a legal text. 
  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Beneficiary 
country (ies) Title and date of the event 
 Description 
PIFS Regional Workshop on the 
Development Benefits of 
Geographical Indications (GIs) and Traditional Knowledge 
Protection for the Pacific 
member countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific 
(ACP) Group of States 
Workshop 25-27
 August 2010, 
Fiji The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 Support the Pacific ACP count ries with the development 
of niche markets for their products, thus stimulating economic  development, improving the likelihood of their 
populations and contributing to poverty eradication; 
 
The specific objectives  were as follows: 
 Sensitize relevant stakeholders from the Pacific ACP 
countries on: 
(i) the nature, scope and function of GIs; 
(ii) the international c ontext for GI protection; 
(iii) the potential GIs offer as a tool for proprietors to 
develop markets for their products; 
(iv) the necessary conditions th at need to be in place to 
enhance this potential; 
(v) identify ACP products qualifying for GIs protection 
and enhance the capacity of  stakeholders from the 
ACP countries to utilize GIs for important 
development needs; 
(vi) aid policymakers from th e Pacific ACP countries with 
the development of national/regional policy, 
legislative and institutional frameworks for GIs administration and regulation; 
(vii) assess progress achieved to date on TK protection. 
OECS Technical Assistance to Saint-
Lucia and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States 
Secretary on a GI Strategy 
September 2011 – March 2012 The specific objectives of th e project were as follows: 
 Prepare a Saint Lucia Country paper on potential and way 
forward for GI Products; and, 
 Disseminate the learning and findings with a view to using 
the Saint Lucia experience as  a model approach in the 
OECS region, in so doing providing valuable inputs for the 
CARIFORUM-EU EPA negotiation on GIs. 
AU Organisation of a technical 
Workshop on GIs as a Tool for 
Enhancing Value to AU 
Farmers in Agri-Food Chain November 2011, Workshop in 
Uganda The overall objective of th e project was as follows: 
 A Workshop for the African Union aiming at 
disseminating knowledge and enhancing skills and the 
capacity of African producers in order to identify and valorise potential African GIs products and create market 
opportunities for origin-identified products. 
 
 IP/C/W/568 
Page 16  
 
  ACP MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM (MTS) PROGRAMME
2 
 
2. ACP MTS Programme is an EU financed progr amme that has responded to the need to 
actively involve ACP countries in the multilateral tr ading system, enhance their national development 
and support their international in tegration.  Technical assistance has been provided by the ACP-PMU 
Consortium led by ACE Inte rnational Consultants. 
Programme Objectives 
 
3. The main purposes of the Programme have been: 
 To assist ACP countries in reforming and ad justing to the multilateral trading system 
 To improve their capacity to negotiate a nd implement multilateral trade agreements 
 To integrate trade into the devel opment process of the ACP countries 
 To facilitate accession of ACP member countries to the WTO 
 
Who has been able to apply 
 
 All ACP States 
 Regional Integration Organisations 
 Government Ministries and departme nts responsible for trade matters 
 Civil society organisations 
 Private sector organisations 
 Research centres and Universities 
 Other stakeholders playing an active role in achieving the objectives of this programme 
 
Example of projects 
 
 Training sessions, seminars and workshops 
 Capacity and institution building in the cont ext of negotiations at the national/regional 
organizations, Ministries and/or Departments 
 Requests for experts for short term periods to address particular WTO issues 
 Preparation of technical papers and proposals for negotiations 
 Requests for legal support to align domestics law with the WTO law 
 Legal support in WTO disputes 
 
The operational implementation period for the M TS programme will conclude in April 2012. 
 Recent projects 
 
Beneficiary 
country (ies) Title and date of the event 
 Description 
All ACP 
Countries Study on the Protection of 
GIs in the ACP Countries, August 2010 – April 2011 Specific objectives:  
Generate empirical evidence, based on country/sub-
regional and product case studies, regarding the benefits 
that African members of th e ACP Group can obtain from 
enhanced multilateral Geographical Indication (GI) protection – Study. 
                                                      
2 Details extracted from http://acp-mts-programme.org/fr   IP/C/W/568 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Beneficiary 
country (ies) Title and date of the event 
 Description 
All ACP 
Countries Protection of GIs in the ACP 
Countries – Conference, 
January – May 2011 Specific objectives 
 Generate empirical evidence, based on country/sub-
regional and product case studies, regarding the 
benefits that African members of the ACP Group can 
obtain from enhanced multilateral Geographical Indication (GI) protection – Conference. 
COMESA Study on the Implementation 
of WTO Decision on TRIPS 
and Public Health, 
October 2010 – February 2011 Specific objectives 
 Promote access to pharmaceutical products 
(medicines and medical equipments) in the 
COMESA region through regional production of and trade in medicine, and through bulk purchasing and 
importation, and to develop a work program for 
utilizing flexibilities in the TRIPS Agreement as amended by the Decision; and in this regard to 
develop a sector strategy for the pharmaceutical 
sector in COMESA – Study. 
COMESA Implementation of WTO 
Decision on TRIPS and Public Health – Conference, 
January – April 2011 Specific objectives 
 Promote access to pharmaceutical products 
(medicines and medical equipments) in the 
COMESA region through regional production of and trade in medicine – Conference. 
OECS Workshop on the 
negotiations in the TRIPS 
council on the GIs Register, 
GI Extension and TRIPS-CBD relationship: 
Developing an OECS 
Position, June 2011 ongoing Specific objectives 
 Develop an OECS Position in the negotiations at the 
TRIPS Council on GI Register, GI Extension and the 
relationship between TRIPS and CBD (Convention on Biodiversity).  
 
 
 BIZCLIM
3 
 
4. The ACP Business Climate facility (BizClim ) is a joint initiative of the European 
Commission and the ACP Group of States under EDF funding.  
5. The Facility's main purpose has been to improve the business environment and the investment 
prospects in ACP countries.  It has done so by addressing structural weaknesses that hamper the 
development of ACP states' economies, most notab ly those impeding private sector development. 
BizClim, whose first operational phase ended in Sept ember 2009, has been providing a wide range of 
services in different fields, including reforming the legal, regulatory and judicial systems, promoting 
private-public partnerships and creating pr ofessional networks among EU and ACP actors. 
6. BizClim has provided technical assistance on a demand-driven basis. For the implementation 
of its TA activities, BizClim has utilised consu ltancy companies and independent consultants, 
recruited in accordance with the 10th EDF rules and procedures. 
7. The launch of the second phase BizClim II, funded with €10 million from the 10th European 
Development Fund, commenced in August 2010.  Its operational period ends in April 2012. 
                                                      
3 Details extracted from  http://www.bizclim.net/  IP/C/W/568 
Page 18  
 
  8. Details of some IP related BizClim projects are described below. 
COMBATING COUNTERFEITING IN THE EMCCA REGION 
 Preparatory Report to the Seminar on Comb ating Counterfeiting and Fraud in the EMCCA 
Member States  
Seminar on Combating Counterfeiting and fraud in the EMCCA Member States 
(December 2007) 
 
Six countries of Central Africa (Cameroon, Cent ral African, Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial 
Guinea, Chad) were represented. 
The mission’s general objective was to raise the aw areness of the public and private actors of the 
EMCCA countries, and to assist fight counterfe iting in an efficient and concerted manner. 
It aimed to achieve the following specific objectives: 
 The gathering and analysis of information on counterfeit and pirated goods, their origin and 
their distribution channels; 
 The study of legislation to fight counterfeiti ng and pirating and its degree of application; 
 The identification of competent institutions a nd the assessment of their capacity to combat 
counterfeiting and piracy, as well as their weakn esses and the reasons motivating them;  and 
 The identification and analysis of efforts undertaken in the region and public and private 
organizations’ initiatives or actions to fight counterfeiting and pirating.   
 
THE NATIONAL CRUSADE AGAINST COUNTERFEITING PRODUCTS PROJECT: GHANA 
 
Legal and Regulatory Enabling Framework Supporting Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy  
 In 2008 BizClim sponsored a team of three cons ultants to conduct an "independent review on 
improving the legal and institutional framework for facilitating effective IPR protection and 
enforcement of anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy measures at the national level".  This document, entitled "The Legal and Re gulatory Enabling Framework Supporting Anti-
counterfeiting and Anti-piracy", had the main objectiv e of developing a clear and concise inventory of 
the laws and regulation in place in Ghana, id entifying any perceived short-alls, and making 
recommendations as based on international best practice for future appropriate action; and 
accompanies the following documents prepared by the consultant team:  A Roadmap for the Crusade Against Counterfeiting and Piracy in Ghana 
 Lays out short, medium and long-term actions  recommended to be undertaken by government 
and industry to strengthen the enabling environment supporting intellectual property rights. 
 
Suggestions for the formation and functioning of a National Intellectual Property Crime Taskforce 
 Gives detailed recommendations on the formati on of government- and industry-led policy-
making and action-taking groups to lead the fi ght against intellectual property crime. It 
focuses on the creation of partners committees within government and industry to work 
closely in the development of a National IP Crime Strategy, and Annual IP Crime Plans and 
Reports. 
  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 19 
 
 
  An Assessment of the Social and Economic Causes and Impacts of Counterfeiting and Piracy in 
Ghana 
 This report, based on a consumer and industr y survey conducted in and around Accra in 
spring 2008, provides a first-stage general assessment of the causes and effects of the consumption, manufacture, distribution and sal e of foreign and domestic counterfeit products 
on the society and economy of Ghana. 
 
A Comparative and Best Practice Study on the legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks 
supporting anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy worldwide 
 Provides information on the situation at the intern ational level with respect to the fight against 
counterfeiting and piracy and measu res taken in several countries. 
 A [Ghanaian] Stakeholder Audit and Needs Assessment  
 Provides information on the situation regarding counterfeiting and piracy in Ghana obtained 
by the project team in discussions held between  the project team and stakeholders from the 
private sector and various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). 
 
 
B. EUROPEAN  DEVELOPMENT  FUND  (EDF) 
9. The European Development Fund (EDF) is the main instrument for providing EU aid for 
development cooperation in the ACP States and OCT (overseas countries and territories).  The 
1957 Treaty of Rome made provision for its creation with a view to granting technical and financial 
assistance, initially to African countries which at th at time were still colonised and with which some 
Member States had historical links. 
10. Even though a heading has been reserved for th e Fund in the EU budget since 1993 following 
a request by the European Parliament, the EDF does not yet come under the EU's general budget.  It is 
funded by the Member States, is subject to its own financial rules and is managed by a specific 
committee.  The aid granted to ACP States and OCTs will continue to be funded by the EDF, at least 
for the period 2008-2013. 
11. Each EDF is concluded for a period of around five  years.  Since the conclusion of the first 
partnership convention in 1964, the EDF cycl es have generally followed the partnership 
agreement/convention  cycles. 
 First EDF: 1959-1964  
 Second EDF: 1964-1970 (Yaoundé I Convention)  
 Third EDF: 1970-1975 (Yaoundé II Convention)  
 Fourth EDF: 1975-1980 (Lomé I Convention)  
 Fifth EDF: 1980-1985 (Lomé II Convention)  
 Sixth EDF: 1985-1990 (Lomé III Convention)  
 Seventh EDF: 1990-1995 (Lomé IV Convention)  
 Eighth EDF: 1995-2000 (Lomé IV Conven tion and the revised Lomé IV)  
 Ninth EDF: 2000-2007 (Cotonou Agreement)  
 Tenth EDF: 2008-2013 (Revised Cotonou Agreement)  
 
12. The EDF consists of several instruments, includi ng grants, risk capital and loans to the private 
sector.  The Stabex and Sysmin instruments designe d to help the agricultural and mining sectors were 
abolished by the new partnership agreement signed in  Cotonou in June 2000.  This agreement also 
streamlined the EDF and introduced a system of rolling programming, making for greater flexibility and giving the ACP States greater responsibility. IP/C/W/568 
Page 20  
 
  13. ACP-EC Council of Ministers Decision No 6/2005 of 22 November 2005 commits 
€482 million of the conditional EUR 1 billion to the ninth European Development Fund.  This amount 
is allocated as follows:  €352 million to support long-term development, €48 million for regional 
cooperation and integration and EUR 82 million for the investment facility.  
14. The development aid provided by the EDF form s part of a broader European framework. 
Within the European Union, the funds of the EU's general budget may be used for certain types of aid. 
15. The tenth EDF covers the period from 2008 to 2013 and provides an overall budget of 
€22,682 million. Of this amount, €21,966 million is allocated to the ACP countries, €286 million to 
the OCT and €430 million to the Commission as support expenditure for programming and implementation of the EDF.  The amount for the ACP countries is divided accordingly: 
€17,766 million to the national and regional indicative programmes, €2,700 million to intra-ACP and 
intra-regional cooperation and €1,500 million to Investment Facilities.  An increased share of the 
budget is devoted to regional programmes, thereb y emphasising the importance of regional economic 
integration as the basic framework for national and local development.  An innovation in the tenth 
EDF is the creation of "incentive amounts" for each country. 
16. National and regional strategies are developed by the European External Action Service 
(EEAS) and the Directorate-General for Devel opment and Co-operation - EuropeAid (DG DEVCO). 
These are the result of in-country discussions with development partners and stakeholders.  Those 
discussions enable EEAS and DG DEVCO to identify initia l needs.  It is at this stage that a broad 
outline of programmes will be developed and in clude reference to trade-related assistance 
programmes, including IP, if they are appropriate fo r the country.  The strategies cover a 4 to 5 year 
period (depending on the region) and are subject to a mid-term review process. 
 C. FINANCING
 INSTRUMENT  FOR  DEVELOPMENT  COOERATION  - DCI  (2007-2013) 
17. The financing instrument for developmen t cooperation improves the EU's previous 
development cooperation framework by merging the different geographic and thematic instruments 
into a single instrument. 
18. Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the Europ ean Parliament and of the Council of 
18 December 2006 establishes a financing in strument for development cooperation. 
Summary 
 
19. The Regulation sets up a financing instrument  for development cooperation (DCI) which 
replaces the range of geographic and thematic instruments created over time and as needs arose.  Its 
aim is to improve development cooperation. 
20. Under this instrument, the EU finance meas ures aimed at supporting geographic cooperation 
with the developing countries included in the list of  aid recipients of the Development Assistance 
Committee of the Organisation for Economic C ooperation and Developmen t (OECD/DAC). These 
countries are listed in Annex 1 to the Regulation. 
21. The Regulation emphasises that the EU's deve lopment cooperation policy is guided by the 
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and that the "European Consensus" provides the general 
framework for action by the EU on development matters.   It also reaffirms that the objectives of this 
policy are poverty reduction, sustainable economic  and social development and the smooth and 
gradual integration of developing  countries into the world economy.  IP/C/W/568 
 Page 21 
 
 
  Nature of the instrument  
 
22. The Regulation provides that EU aid is im plemented through geographic and thematic 
programmes and through the programme of accomp anying measures for the African, Caribbean and 
Pacific (ACP) Sugar Protocol countries. 
23. Geographic programmes encompass cooperatio n with partner countries and regions 
determined on a geographical basis.  They cover fi ve regions, namely Latin America, Asia, Central 
Asia, the Middle East and South Africa.  EU assistance to these countries is aimed at supporting actions within the following areas of cooperation: 
 supporting the implementation of policies ai med at poverty eradication and at the 
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. 
 addressing the essential needs of the population, in  particular primary education and health;  
 promoting social cohesion and employment;  
 promoting governance, democracy, human right s and support for institutional reforms;  
 assisting partner countries and regions in the areas of trade and regional integration;  
 promoting sustainable development through environmental protection and sustainable 
management of natural resources;  
 supporting sustainable integrated water resour ce management and fostering greater use of 
sustainable energy technologies;  
 assisting in post-crisis situations and fragile States.  
 24. The measures taken vary according to the specifi c needs of each country, taking into account 
the specific situation in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East or South Africa. 
25. Thematic programmes complement geographic programmes.  They cover a specific area of 
activity of interest to a group of partner count ries not determined by geography, or cooperation 
activities focusing on various regions or groups of part ner countries, or an international operation that 
is not geographically specific.  In other words, th eir scope of application is wider than that of 
geographic cooperation programmes because they encompass not only the countries eligible for 
geographic cooperation under the DCI but also the countries and regions eligible under the European 
Development Fund (EDF) and under Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006. 
26. The Regulation provides for five thematic programmes concerning: 
 investing in people;  
 the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources;  
 non-state actors and Local Authorities;  
 the improvement of food security;  
 cooperation in the area or migration and asylum.  
 27. The Regulation also sets up a programme of accompanying measures in favour of the 18 ACP 
Sugar Protocol countries (listed in Annex III to th e Regulation).  The aim of these measures is to 
support their adjustment process as they are faced with  new market conditions due to the reform of the 
EU sugar regime. IP/C/W/568 
Page 22  
 
  Management and implementation  
 
28. For the geographic programmes, the Commissi on draws up a strategy paper and a multiannual 
indicative programme and adopts an annual action progr amme for each partner country or region.  In 
the case of thematic programmes, it draws up them atic strategy papers and adopts annual action 
programmes. 
29. The Commission determines the multiannual indi cative allocations within each geographic 
programme, bearing in mind the specificity of the different programmes and the particular difficulties 
faced by the countries or regions. 
30. For example, with Bangladesh (see the section above on IP projects for the Bangladesh IPR 
Project),  within the focus area of 'Enhancing Tr ade Capacity and Economic Development', work on 
the IPR legal and institutional framework was d esigned to be part of the 2007-2010 Multiannual 
Indicative Programme. 
31. It may also include a specific financial allocation for the purposes of strengthening 
cooperation between the EU's outermost regions and neighbouring partner countries and regions.  In 
the case of natural disasters or crises which cannot  be funded under Regula tions (EC) No 1717/2006 
and 1257/1996, the Commission may adopt special meas ures not provided for in the strategy papers 
or multiannual indicative programmes. 
32. The entities which are eligible for fund ing are, inter alia, the following: 
 partner countries and regions , and their institutions;  
 decentralised bodies in the partner countries (municipalities, provinces, departments and 
regions);  
 joint bodies set up by the partner countries and regions with the EU;  
 international organisations;  
 EU agencies;  and 
 certain entities and bodies of the member States,  partner countries and regions and any other 
third country in so far as they help to achieve the objectives of this Regulation.  
 33. Under this Regulation, the EU may finance among other things, projects and programmes, 
contribute to national funds set up by partner countries and regions to attract joint financing from 
several donors, contribute to funds set up by one or more donors for the purpose of the joint 
implementation of measures, twinning programm es, interest-rate subsidies, especially for 
environment-related loans, and debt relief under internationally agreed debt relief programmes. 
34. The measures are eligible for co-financing fro m member States and their regional and local 
authorities, other donor countries, international or ganisations, companies, firms and other private 
organisations and businesses, other non-state actors and partner countries in receipt of funding. 
35. The financial framework for the implemen tation of this Regulation over the period 
2007-2013 is €16.897 billion:   €10.057 billion for the geographic programmes, €5.596 billion for the 
thematic programmes and €1.244 billion for the ACP Sugar Protocol countries. 
36. The Commission monitors and reviews the implementation of its programmes, assisted in its 
work by a committee.  It submits an annual report on  the results of this Regulation to the European 
Parliament and the Council.  
 
__________