WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
25 October 2010 
 
 (10-5551) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
 
UNITED STATES 
 
Addendum  
 
 
 The following communication, dated 20 October 2010, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of the United States.  
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. The United States is committed to continually e nhancing its activities relevant to Article 66.2 
of the TRIPS Agreement, and reporting these activiti es, in keeping with the guidelines established in 
the TRIPS Council's Decision of 20 February 2003. 
2. In October 2006, the United States provide d the required triennial detailed report 
(IP/C/W/480/Add.6).  In October 2007, the Unite d States provided an updated report, which was 
focused on technology transfer incentives of partic ular relevance to LDC Me mbers, and which added 
new elements, including a discussions on incentives fo r technology transfer in the field of public 
health and on US tax incentives for private sector work in international development 
(IP/C/W/497/Add.5).  In October 2008, the Unite d States included new information on types of 
bilateral treaties and agreements through which the US provides incen tives to the private sector to 
engage in technology transfer to developing coun tries (IP/C/W/519/Add.3).  In the 2009 report, the 
United States included new information regarding in centives related to Climate Change technologies.  
This year's report updates and expands inform ation that was provided in previous reports. 
3. The intellectual property, trade capacity, trai ning, development assist ance, financing, and 
infrastructure-related programmes described in this report are integral elements of the United States 
Government's efforts to help create the conditions essential to encouraging the effective transfer of 
technology to LDC Members.  No report can descr ibe every activity of the US government that 
directly or indirectly promotes and encourages tec hnology transfer to LDCs, but this report attempts 
to describe the most significant activities and programmes . 
4. The United States continues to believe that th e effective functioning of Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement requires a robust dialogue between developed and LDC Members in order to target 
incentives in a way that is most responsive to the self-identified t echnology transfer interests and 
needs of LDC Members.  The United States appreci ates the efforts of the TRIPS Secretariat and 
Member States to organize discussions among the Member States regarding Article 66.2 
implementation. IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
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  II. INCENTIVES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGIES   
A. US
 ROLE IN ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CLEAN TECHNOLOGY FUND 
5. The Clean Technology Fund (CTF) is a multilatera l, multi-billion dollar effort to reduce the 
growth of greenhouse gas emissions in developing co untries by helping to finance the additional costs 
of deploying commercially-available cleaner  technologies over greenhouse gas producing, 
conventional alternatives.  The CTF provides incenti ves cleaner projects that leverage development 
bank financing and attract new investor capital into  low carbon sectors.  To receive funding, eligible 
countries (including all LDCs that have an activ e MDB programme) must develop credible national 
investment plans that stimulate low carbon growth and the scalable uptake of clean technologies.  The 
US led efforts to create the CTF with the United Kingdom and Japan.  Potential recipient countries 
have worked with other donor countries to garner  international support of the CTF by tailoring 
specific LDC input from an end-user perspective.  The US is also a contributor to the Strategic 
Climate Fund (SCF), which, through its Forest I nvestment and Climate Resilience programmes, funds 
projects in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Lao PDR, 
Nepal, Niger, Samoa, Yemen and Zambia. 
B. US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 'S CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME  
6. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA)  remains active in the Climate Change 
Technology Programme (CCTP) and related efforts.  The Global Ch ange Programme Office, Forest 
Service (FS), Natural Resources Conservation Se rvice (NRCS), Agricultural Research Service, 
National Institute of Food and Ag riculture, Farm Services Agency , and Rural Development mission 
area support improved measurement and accounting of greenhouse gases from agriculture, forestry, 
and grassland systems, as well as energy initiatives and renewable energy systems including biofuels 
and biomass-related research and development.  Th irteen USDA agencies have been active in helping 
draft a strategic plan for USDA climate change sci ence, and the plan's goals related to effects - 
adaptation, mitigation, and decision support - have undergone public review.  In addition, NRCS and 
FS are developing new measurement technologies,  analytical techniques, and information 
management systems related to spatial carbon dist ributions.  USDA continues to develop long-term 
data sets on land use, resource conditions, and clim ate through the National Resources Inventory, the 
Forest Inventory and Analysis Programme, the So il Climate Analysis Network, and the Snowpack 
Telemetry system to support understanding of climate-related changes in land resources.  . 
C. COPENHAGEN ACCORD CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER  
7. In connection with the December 2009 Copenhagen Fifteenth Conference of the Parties of the 
UNFCCC the US made a major commitment to promot e climate change related technology transfer.  
(For an exhaustive analysis of the aid the US is providing for climate change work, see:  "US Climate 
Action Report 2010 Fifth National Communication of the United States of America Under the United 
Nations Framework Convention on C limate Change," particularly Chapter 7.)  Although much of this 
assistance is available to "developing countries," a broader group of countries than "Least Developed 
Countries (LDCs)," LDCs will receive much of this aid.   
8. The Copenhagen Accord contains a commitment by developed countries to provide 
approaching US$30 billion in "fast start" finan ce to meet mitigation and adaptation needs of 
developing countries.  The United States is committed to  providing its share of fast start finance.  On 
16 December, 2009, President Obama signed the Cons olidated Appropriations Act, 2010, which more 
than tripled climate-related foreign assistance from the previous fiscal year (FY), to approximately 
US$1.3 billion.  The FY 2010 enacted budget includ es a new US contribution of US$30 million to the 
Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) and US$20 million to the Special Climate Change Fund 
(SCCF), both under the UNFCCC.  The US is providing US$375 million for the World Bank- IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
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  managed Climate Investment Funds and has substa ntially increased climate finance provided through 
USAID, with an emphasis on Africa, Asia and small island developing states (SIDS) – most LDCs are in these regions.   
D. G
REENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT  
9. Building on a previous successful partnership with seven nations of Central America, USAID 
and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are continuing support to countries in Southeast 
Asia, and beginning work in Africa, to build capacity for compiling national greenhouse gas (GHG) 
inventories.  The project focuses on developing lo ng-term national inventory management systems, 
improving the methods and data used in the agricu lture and the land use change and forestry sectors, 
and training regional experts.  Currently, direct assi stance is being provided in collaboration with the 
UNFCCC Secretariat to Cambodia, as well as to several other least developed and developing 
countries in the region.  The project is also fu rther refining the Agriculture and Land Use (ALU) 
software which helps governments easily and accu rately complete their national greenhouse gas 
inventories for the land use, forestry and agriculture sectors. 
E. PRIVATE FINANCING ADVISORY NETWORK  
10. Initiated by the Climate Technology Initiative (C TI) and supported by USAID, the Private 
Financing Advisory Network (CTI PFAN) is a mu ltilateral public-private pa rtnership that nurtures 
promising, innovative clean and renewable energy projects by bridging the gap between investors and clean energy entrepreneurs and project develope rs.  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 provi des guidance on feasibility, project structure, 
investment and financing, preparation of the busin ess plan, and introductions to investors.  CTI PFAN 
works through regional networks in Latin Americ a, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa and through 
dedicated in-country networks, for example in Mozambique and Uganda
. 
F. CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENT INDEX  
11. USAID is partnering with the World Bank to develop a new investment index for climate-
friendly technologies in South Asia, the Climate Change Technologies Investment Index (CCTII). 
CCTII's goal is to provide useful information to the public and private sectors in South Asia on the 
various national-level barriers to low-carbon technology deployment  and investment and how well 
countries are performing in terms of the policies,  institutions, laws, and regulations (including 
enforcement) that contribute to an enabling envir onment for private investment.  The CCTII will build 
on existing measures, such as the World Bank's Do ing Business Index, while indentifying sector-
specific barriers and incentives.  The CCTII wi ll also guide donors and developing country 
governments towards concrete meas ures for improving the enabling environment for private sector 
investments in clean technologies. 
III. INCENTIVES RELATED TO HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES:  US NATIONAL 
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND CAPACITY 
BUILDING ACTIVITIES 
12. Biomedical and behavioural research funding activities of the National Institutes of Health 
(NIH), an agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services , have contributed to 
technology transfer and capacity building in sev eral LDCs.  For new technologies developed by 
scientists at the NIH and the Food and Drug Ad ministration (FDA), the NIH licenses biological 
materials and associated patent rights, when app licable, to institutions that have the capability of 
bringing products to the market in or for LDCs.  In addition, scientists often provide know-how to IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
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  those who receive biological materials, such as vaccine seed strains with specialized growth 
requirements. Most of these technologies are associ ated with vaccines for diseases such as dengue, 
rotavirus, Hib, HPV, typhoid, meningococcal, vari cella-zoster and HIV.  This technology transfer 
permits the building of manufacturing capacity and a ssociated skill sets in developing countries that 
also serve the needs of LDCs by providing access to  vaccines that meet thei r public health needs. 
These activities, which have been reported in prev ious versions of this report, are ongoing and 
continue to be a major part of the activities of the NIH.   
A. HIV/AIDS
 CLINICAL TRIALS NETWORKS AND CLINICAL TRIAL UNITS (CTU S) AND CLINICAL 
RESEARCH SITES (CRS S) 
13. The NIH funded HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Netw orks and their CTU/CRS will pursue clinical 
trials to address the highest priorities in HIV/AIDS  research, including:  (1 ) vaccine research and 
development;  (2) translational research/drug devel opment;  (3) optimization of clinical management, 
including co-morbidities;  (4) microbicides;  (5) pr evention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV;  
and (6) prevention of HIV infection.  Under th ese programmes, collaborative basic and clinical 
research is carried out between researchers worldwide, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, South 
America, and the United States.  These research a nd training programmes support the development of 
basic and clinical research skill sets in developing countries, the building of infrastructures to support 
the development of new drugs a nd vaccines, and the exchange of  scientific knowledge world-wide 
including better understanding in more developed co untries of needs in developing countries.    
B. MULTILATERAL INITIATIVE ON MALARIA (MIM)   
14. NIH, together with the Special Programme for Training and Research in Tropical Diseases 
(TDR) located at the World Health Organization,  co-founded the MIM in 1997 and has supported its 
activities in LDCs and elsewhere since then.  MIM's mission is to increase and enhance worldwide research on malaria by facilitating multinational r esearch cooperation.  NIH has also established 
malaria research facilities in Mali and Ghana and has trained local scientists a nd physicians to conduct 
malaria research from within endemic countries, including those in several LDCs in Africa. 
C. NIH
 INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH FOCUS IN AFRICA   
15. NIH supports and has funded research activities in 26 African countries, including the 
following WTO Member LDC countries in Africa:  Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, 
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Madagascar, Ma lawi, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, 
Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.  These research act ivities contribute directly to the strengthening of 
research capacity in these countries, thereby enhancing prospects for further transfer of technology in 
the future. 
16. HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria are three of the most serious global infectious diseases in Africa, 
causing millions of deaths each year.  These three diseases are a major cause of poverty through their 
debilitating impact on the active workforce, and significantly affect economic development and 
stability of the region.  NIH's National Institute of  Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) supports 
HIV/AIDS research in many African countries, with most projects conducted in areas with the highest 
incidence of infection and disease, namely Bots wana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, 
Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  The recent emergenc e of Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR TB) and 
Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR TB), especially in the context of HIV/AIDS infection, is being 
addressed by NIAID-funded projects conducted in Tan zania and Uganda, as well as in South Africa.  
Malaria remains a major threat, and NIAID conducts clinical, epidemiological, drug, and vaccine and 
vector research in African LD C countries such as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, The Gambia, Malawi, 
Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda.   IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
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  17. Neglected diseases such as filariasis, schistoso miasis, sleeping sickness, and others are 
receiving renewed attention, with NIAID projects in  Malawi, as well as in Kenya and South Africa.  
NIAID supported a major pneumococcal vaccine trial in The Gambia that was 77 per cent effective in 
preventing pneumococcal infections caused by th e vaccine serotypes.  NIAID recently supported a 
clinical trial in Madagascar that demonstrated equi valence of azithromycin and benzathine penicillin 
(the current standard) for treatment of early syph ilis.  Almost all NIH supported research has helped 
not only in training in state-of-the-art research t echniques and conduct of clinical trials to African 
LDCs, but also in capacity buildi ng for researchers so that they may better address infectious diseases 
endemic to their respective countries.  
D. NIH  RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME DEVELOPING 
COUNTRIES   
18. NIH's Fogarty International Center runs several research training programmes that include 
training for LDC biomedical researchers and rese arch institutions and contribute to technology 
transfer and capacity building in LDCs.  Among these are the AIDS International Training and Research Programme (AITRP), the Global Infec tious Disease Research Training Programme (GID), 
and the International Clinical, Operational and H ealth Services Research and Training Award for 
AIDS and Tuberculosis (ICOHRTA-AIDS/TB).  Th e AITRP programme includes researchers from 
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Haiti, Lesotho, Malawi, Mo zambique, Rwanda, Senega l, Tanzania, Uganda, 
Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  The GID helps to tr ain researchers from Bangladesh, Tanzania, Mali, 
Malawi, Uganda, Cameroon, Cambodia, Senegal,  and Papua New Guinea, among others.  The 
ICOHRTA-AIDS/TB programme trai ns researchers from Haiti, Ug anda, and Zimbabwe and has 
provided funds for planning grants in Mala wi, Tanzania, and Botswana, and elsewhere. 
19. NIH's Fogarty International Center, along with 11 NIH Institutes and Offices, also supports a 
"Global Research Initiative Programme for New Foreign Investigators (GRIP)" that promotes 
productive re-entry of NIH-trained foreign investigat ors into their home countries as part of a broader 
programme to enhance the scientific research infra structure in developing countries, to stimulate 
research on a wide variety of high priority health-re lated issues in these countries, and to advance NIH 
efforts to address health issues of global import.  This reverse "brain f light" initiative promotes 
capacity building by providing partial salaries to NIH-trained foreign researchers returning home and 
support for research projects.  The GRIP programme is  divided into two components:  Behavioral and 
Social Science; and Basic Science.  The progra mme provides support for researchers from , Malawi, 
Tanzania, Uganda and several other countries.   
E. T
ECHNOLOGY LICENSES . 
20. The NIH has licensed biological materials to Sh antha Biotechnics, Ltd. (India) for use in 
producing a haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccine .  In addition to India, Shantha anticipates 
selling the Hib vaccines in developing world countries world-wide, including Africa, initially mostly through public tenders or tenders to UNICEF a nd WHO.  Shantha also licensed technologies and 
associated biological materials for the manufacture and distribution of a human papillomavirus (HPV) 
vaccine worldwide, including GAVI-eligible countries .  Lastly, Shantha licensed biological materials 
for use in the manufacture of a hepatitis A vacci ne product for distribution worldwide, including 
GAVI-eligible countries
. 
21. In addition to the Shantha HPV license, th e NIH has non-exclusively licensed the same 
second generation HPV vaccine technology to thr ee companies for worldwide product distribution, 
including GAVI-eligible countries.  These othe r companies are PaxVax, Sanofi Pasteur and 
GlaxoSmithKline.  The NIH will be able to con tinue to license this technology, which includes 
biological materials for vaccine manufactu ring, to other interested parties.  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
Page 6  
 
  22. In order to facilitate distribution of the hum an papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil® to 
underserved women in the developing world, the NIH has reached an agreement with Merck (a 
licensee of the NIH's patent rights covering the vacci ne) to incentivize the distribution of vaccine to 
these at-risk populations.  The arrangement enabl es Merck to include Gardasil® broadly in its 
worldwide tiered-pricing strategy, including any donative or not-for-profit transfers to distribution 
networks, governments or directly to individuals in developing world nations.  For this agreement, 
"Developing World" nations are defined by Th e Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization 
(GAVI), which include many WTO member LDCs.   
23. The NIH licensed to Serum Institute of India bi ological materials for use in the manufacture 
of a hepatitis A vaccine product for distribution worldwide, including GAVI-eligible countries. 
IV. INCENTIVES FOR US INVESTMENT IN AFRICA 
A. B
ILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATIES  
24. US Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) improve the climate for US investment in the 
economies of our partner countries by advancing im portant reforms and encouraging the adoption of 
policies that facilitate and support foreign investment .  US BITs establish a framework of reciprocal 
protections that include non-discriminatory treatme nt, free transfer of investment-related funds, 
prompt, adequate, and effective compensation in the event of an expropriation, limitations on 
specified performance requirements, and transp arency in governance.  These treaties provide 
important incentives for US companies to engage in  FDI, in joint ventures, and in other forms of 
investment in partner countries that can lead to the transfer of technology and know-how.  As of 
September 2010, the United States had signed six BITs in sub-Saharan Africa, four of which are with 
WTO LDC Members, including the Democratic Re public of the Congo, Senegal, Rwanda and 
Mozambique.  (The BIT with Rwanda is not yet in force.)  In addition, in August 2009, a BIT 
negotiation between the United States and Mauritius was launched. 
B. TRADE AND INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTS  
25. US Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) help enhance trade and 
investment relations between the United States and ke y trade and investment partners.  Over the last 
eleven years, the United States has launched twelve trade and investment agreements in sub-Saharan 
Africa – eight bilateral TIFAs with Angola, Ghana,  Nigeria, Liberia, Mauritius, Mozambique, South 
Africa and Rwanda; three regional TIFAs with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 
(COMESA), the East African Community (EAC),  and UEMOA (French acronym for the West 
African Economic and Monetary Union); and a Tr ade, Investment, and Development Cooperative 
Agreement (TIDCA) with the five countries of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).  
Together, these twelve agreements cover 19 WT O LDC Members (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, 
Burundi, DRC, Djibouti, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, 
Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia).  The United States is using TIFAs and the 
TIDCA with sub-Saharan African countries to enc ourage new trade and investment by implementing 
country- and region-specific strategies that promote tr ade and investment.  The US also has bilateral 
TIFAs with three other LDCs:  Yemen, Afghanistan and Cambodia. 
C. OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION (OPIC)  PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENT 
FUNDS  
26. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has as one of its top priorities 
increasing the flow of foreign direct investme nt to support economic development throughout the 
world's least developed countries.  OPIC supports  private equity investment funds and provides 
financing and political risk insurance to encourage US  investment in a variety of sectors vital to least  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
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  developed country economic development, includi ng health care, housing, telecommunications, and 
small and medium-sized enterprises.  OPIC's political  risk insurance and financing help US businesses 
of all sizes invest in more than 150 emerging mark ets and developing nations worldwide.  Over the 
agency's 38-year history, OPIC has supported US$ 188 billion worth of investments that have helped 
developing countries to generate over 830,000 host-country jobs.  OPIC is currently providing over 
US$1.8 billion in financing and political risk insura nce for 98 projects in Sub Saharan Africa.  In 
addition, OPIC's Board of Directors has approve d US$1.2 billion in OPIC support for 16 private 
equity funds focused on Africa that will leverage up to  US$4.3 billion in investments.  All told, OPIC 
has current active project commitments in 32 countr ies in sub-Saharan Africa and is eligible to 
support US investments in 47 countries in the re gion.  OPIC plans to provide US$250 million in 
support of clean energy and energy efficiency projects  in Africa and Eastern Europe.  This project is 
in the planning stages and no decision has been made regarding the breakout of the US$250 million.  
27. In October 2009, OPIC issued a call for pr oposals to support President Obama's June 2009 
announcement in Cairo regarding the launching of f unds to support technological development in 
Muslim-majority countries. The OPIC Board appr oved US$150 million in financing to support the 
establishment of a private equity investment fund d esigned to invest in comp anies in West Africa.  
The Capital Alliance Private Equity Limited F und will invest in telecommunications, financial 
services, business services, logistics, electric power a nd oil and gas.  The fund will focus on Nigeria 
as well as Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Benin, San Tome and 
Principe and Angola.  OPIC is also active in As ian and Latin American LDC member states.  For 
example, in Bangladesh OPIC is supporti ng expansion of a cellular phone system. 
V. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) PROGRAMMES 
28. To support basic research that will build a foundation for generating sustainable, science-
based solutions to agricultural problems in de veloping countries, the National Science Foundation 
(NSF) has awarded 15 grants in the inaugural year  of the Basic Research to Enable Agricultural 
Development (BREAD) programme.  The five-year programme is jointly funded with the Bill & 
Melinda Gates Foundation.  Through its partners hip with the Gates Foundation, the NSF awards 
grants to US institutions and their international collaborators to promote novel, creative approaches 
and technologies to address common constraints faced  by small-holder farmers.  Among the grants is 
one to scientists at Pennsylvania State University , the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the 
Bunda College of Agriculture (Malawi) to explo it a recent discovery that drought tolerance is 
correlated with the development of a unique tissue that allows maize roots to expand in area and 
scavenge for scarce water while minimizing impact on yield.  By identifying the genetic loci 
responsible for this response, the scientists hope to  offer a new approach to development of drought-
tolerant maize.  Other grants will:  test a novel ap proach to developing cattle that are resistant to 
trypanosomiasis, a deadly cattle disease in Africa that is closely related to sleeping sickness in 
humans; identify dwarfing genes that will increase yield in wheat under drought stress; explore the 
use of a special type of black carbon to improve  soil fertility and crop yi eld; and study genetic 
mechanisms in chickpeas as a step towards improving nitrogen fixation.  A complete list of 2010 
BREAD awards can be accessed at http ://www.nsf.gov/bio/pubs/awards/bread10.htm . 
VI. US DEPARTMENT OF STATE PROGRAMMES 
A. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENTS  
29. Recognizing the importance of science-based re search in promoting economic growth and 
development, the United States establishes Science and Technolog y (S&T) cooperation agreements 
with developing countries.  S&T agreements build  science capacity and infrastructure and apply 
science, technology, and engineering to facilitate a developing country's inte gration into the global 
economy.  Areas covered by S&T agreements in clude:  basic research and science education, IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
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  meteorology and weather forecasting, health scien ces and public health, watershed management, 
environment and biodiversity protection, energy an d alternative energy research and development, 
information and communications technology, a nd biotechnology.  An S&T agreement was signed 
between the United States and Bangladesh in Marc h 2003.  There have also been many bilateral 
technical agency agreements with countries throughout Africa on various topics including, for 
example, HIV/AIDs, infectious disease, seismic ac tivity, remote sensing, agriculture, environment, 
and energy. 
B. S
PECIAL SELF-HELP PROGRAMME  
30. Another initiative that has science and technolog y-related impact is the State Department's 
Special Self-Help (SSH) Programme, which s upports funding of community-based development 
projects that often have a technology transfer comp onent.  Programmes have included installation of 
solar energy panels in community facilities, constr uction of computer laboratories, eco-tourism, and 
others.  The SSH Programme began in 1964 as an expe rimental programme in Togo, and has grown to 
be one of the US's most visible and successful assistance programmes in Africa.  In fiscal year (FY) 2010, US$1,610,000 in SSH funds were granted to projects in WTO LDC Members. 
C. O
PEN SKIES AGREEMENTS  
31. Open Skies agreements between the United Stat es and key partner countries have vastly 
expanded international passenger and cargo flights to and from the United States, promoting increased 
travel, trade, and business contacts, enhanci ng productivity, and spurring high-quality job 
opportunities and economic growth.  Open Skies ag reements do this by eliminating government 
interference in the commercial decisions of air carriers about routes, capacity, and pricing, freeing 
carriers to provide more affordable, convenient, an d efficient air service for consumers.  The United 
States has achieved Open Skies with nearly 100 part ners from every region of the world and at every 
level of economic development.  Between 1999 and 2010 the US deve loped Open Skies agreements 
with 16 Least Developed Countries:  Tanzania, Bu rkina Faso, Gambia, Rwanda, Benin, Senegal, 
Uganda, Samoa, Madagascar, Maldives, Ethiopia, Ma li, Chad, Liberia, Lao PDR and Zambia.   The 
increased travel, trade, and business contacts promoted by expanded air traffic facilitate private sector 
technology transfer.  
D. BIOTECH OUTREACH  
32. Technology transfer in biotechnology requires re gulatory systems be in place so that LDCs 
can utilize the technology.  In support of USAI D's work in building capacity for legislative 
frameworks and regulatory systems, State's Econom ic, Energy, and Business Affairs Bureau works 
directly with other countries and with interna tional bodies, like the WTO and APEC, to ensure 
policies will be science-based and transparent, cr eating the necessary environment for LDCs and the 
private sector to make use of the technology.  Funds have supported out reach programmes in many 
LDCs including:  regional speakers for a workshop on  biotechnology in Ethiopia; speakers to Burkina 
Faso, and cooperative efforts and capacity build ing workshops on biotechnology with the Common 
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).  
E. THE SECRETARY 'S AWARD FOR CORPORATE EXCELLENCE  
 
33. The Secretary of State's Award for Corporat e Excellence (ACE), established by the State 
Department in 1999, recognizes the important ro le US businesses play abroad as good corporate 
citizens, including promoting technology transfer, a nd encourages US companies to further corporate 
social responsibility, innovation, exemplary pract ices, and democratic values worldwide.  US 
companies are nominated by Chiefs of Mission worldwide and the winners are chosen by the 
Principals' Award Selection Committee.  In 2009 one of the winners was Voila - Communication  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
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  Cellulaire d'Haiti (Trilogy International Partners). Trilogy International Partners was chosen for its 
positive impact on the Haitian economy through exemplary employment practices and its promotion of education through youth rehab ilitation programmes, scholarships, internships, computer labs, 
sports, and arts programmes.  In  2008 finalists included STM Tel ecom Sanchar in Nepal for providing 
needed services where others feared to go because of security concerns, for technical training and 
contributions to the development of rural technolog y, and for innovative health care programmes and 
Esso Angola for its public-private partnership's ef forts in leading the fight against malaria and 
HIV/AIDS, and for its literacy programmes for women and girls.  
VII. US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (USDOC) PROGRAMMES 
A. I
NTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION  
34. The Department of Commerce's International Tr ade Administration has partnered with other 
sections of the agency, such as the Commercial Law Development Programme (CLDP), the technical 
assistance arm of the Office of the General Counsel  at the Department of Commerce, and the US 
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as well as other US Government agencies to deliver intellectual property rights (IPR) technical assist ance in sub-Saharan Africa.  In 2010, USDOC 
continued to make significant progress to strengthe n IPR protection and enforcement in sub-Saharan 
Africa by working with other key stakeholders to provide technical assistance to African legal 
institutions and other government officials.  Strong IPR protections encourage foreign private sector 
technology transfer and provide incentives for domestic innovation. 
10-12 March, 2010 East African Counterfeit Medicines Workshop, Tanzania: USDOC's 
International Trade Administration and USPTO; US De partment of Justice (USDOJ);  Department of 
Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enfor cement (ICE);  and a US Federal Judge worked 
with Tanzanian government officials to conduct a regional conference focused on training relevant 
government officials from the East African Comm unity (EAC) member states (Kenya, Tanzania, 
Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) in combating the flow  of counterfeit and subs tandard medicines into 
East Africa.   
 
21-23 September, 2010 Senegal IPR Seminar - Judiciary Training Dakar, Senegal: The US 
Department of Commerce's International Trad e Administration, Commercial Law Development 
Programme, and the Patent and Trademark Office; and the Department of Justice (DOJ), worked with 
the Senegal Judicial Training Center to provide a th ree day workshop on the Role of the Judiciary in 
intellectual property enforcement for approximately 60 to 70 Senegalese and West African judges and 
intellectual property officials.  This workshop c overed topics such as the importance of intellectual 
property protection a nd its impact on Senegalese stakeholders and substantive and procedural issues 
faced in the adjudication of intellectual property cases.   
 
B. SMALL BUSINESS TOOLS  
35. As part of an overall strategy to empower bus inesses, particularly small businesses, to obtain 
and enforce intellectual property rights (IPR), the US Department of Commerce in cooperation with 
other US government agencies, continues to enhance its multiple tools and means of assistance for US 
small businesses doing business abroad.  Small businesses in the United States are often on the cutting 
edge of new technologies.  However, such busin esses may be hesitant to export products, make 
investments or form partnerships overseas that invol ve their latest technology because of fears that 
their intellectual property rights c ould be violated.  The US 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 WTO member LDCs.   IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
Page 10  
 
  36. The Department of Commerce continues to ac tively promote these small business tools to 
other countries should the tools be useful and a dopted for use by their small businesses.  The 
Department of Commerce developed a website, St opFakes.gov, used by the entire US Government, 
which hosts a number of online resources, incl uding information about key US agencies and 
programmes.  StopFakes.gov also contains inform ation on ITA's International Trade Advisory 
Programme with the American Bar Association,  which provides free legal consultations on IPR 
related matters for businesses investing and doing business in WTO Member LDCs, as well as other 
countries.  Additionally, the 2010 expansion of the International Trade Advisory Programme to 
Senegal, Angola, and Mozambique will help US  businesses conduct business using their latest 
technology in those markets.   
37. In addition, many of these tools are available to LDC businesses, which can use them to 
protect their own IP rights.  For example, the IPR Training Module, hosted on the STOPFAKES website, was translated into French (and Spanis h) from English in 2010 and the United States 
welcomes French and English-speaking LDCs to use the module for their small businesses.  The 
module familiarizes small businesses with IPR, its re levance to their business and how to obtain and 
protect rights in the US and abroad, as well as links  to other similar resources.  WTO Member LDCs 
and other countries are welcome to use this resour ce free of charge.  StopFakes.gov also serves as a 
means for reporting IPR enforcement issues to th e Commerce Department and Federal enforcement 
authorities. 
C. C
OMMERCIAL LAW DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME  
38. The Commercial Law Development Programme  (CLDP) of USDOC provides commercial 
law technical assistance to governments and private sect ors of developing and transitional countries in 
support of their economic development goals.  Its programmes are demand-driv en and customized to 
address priority issues for governments and firms interested in doing business in those countries.  CLDP's unique government-to-government appr oach helps improve legal and regulatory 
environments, which are essential to attract foreign investment and promote domestic private sector 
growth.  Strong IPR protection systems, in particular, can help assure foreign companies that they can 
transfer technology without fear that it will be  stolen, and can provide incentives for domestic 
innovation.  In 2010, CLDP conducted a number of programmes benefitting LDC members of the 
WTO. 
Conference on the Enforcement of IP rights - 20
-21 April Mali:  CLDP and USDOJ jointly led a 
conference for officials involved in  enforcement of IP at the border , including customs officials and 
prosecutors/police, focused on facilitating law enfo rcement cooperation in West Africa and exposure 
to working models of processing counterfeiting goods  and related issues at the border.  The 
conference was attended by 150 participants from Mali, Togo, Cameroon, Senegal, Burkina Faso, 
Benin and Cote D'Ivoire.    Regional Workshop on Intellectual Property Enforcement in the Southern Africa Region:  The 
Adjudication of Cases, Botswana 13-15 May:  CLDP and USDOJ held a three-day workshop that 
brought together over 100 participan ts from the Southern African region to address the adjudication of 
IP cases.  Participants included judges and magistrates from Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, 
Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, as well as Botswana. The workshop was designed to increase  the ability of the participants to  more fairly, consistently, and 
efficiently adjudicate IP cases in the region.  It r esulted in a set of recommendations shared across the 
region.   Regional IP Protection:  An East African Coordination, Uganda 9-11 June:  Regional 
coordination, communication and coopera tion were the focus of this workshop , which CLDP and 
USPTO co-organized with the East African Community (EAC) and the Ugandan Ministry of  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
 Page 11 
 
 
  Tourism, Trade and Industry (MTTI), and with part icipation from the US Customs and Border Patrol 
and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  IP protection and enforcement officials from Burundi, 
the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Keny a, Mauritius, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda 
and Zambia participated in interactive panels , plenary sessions, round table discussions and case study 
exercises to improve their IP skill and knowledge  and determine ways to improve collaboration 
among IP agencies in East Africa. 
 
VIII.  TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING IN LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 
A. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING ASSISTANCE  
39. "Aid for Trade" or Trade Capacity Building assistance (TCB) is a cornerstone of the US 
Government's strategy to promote economic growth  through trade and to enable developing countries 
to negotiate and implement mark et-opening and reform-oriented trade agreements.  TCB helps to 
improve the linkage between trade and development by providing developing countries with tools to 
maximize trade opportunities, including through fo stering environments favorable to technology 
transfer.  The United States considers its TCB activiti es to be an integral element in its efforts to 
provide incentives for technology transfer. 
40. The United States obligated over US$1,047,9 28 million to trade capacity building (TCB) 
activities in LDCs in FY2009, a substantial increas e over previous years.  Cumulative US TCB to 
LDCs from FY2001 to FY2009 tota led over US$3.3 billion.   
B. AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT  
41. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been at the center of the United States' 
trade and investment policy toward sub-Saharan A frica, which has sought to promote open markets, 
expand US-Africa trade and investment, stimulat e economic growth, and facilitate sub-Saharan 
Africa's integration into the global economy.  Since the enactment of AGOA in 2000, the United 
States has worked closely with African government s and businesses to help them make the most of 
AGOA's trade benefits.  The US Government crafted and put into place the regulatory framework for 
AGOA, actively promoted the programme throughout  Africa, and developed trade capacity building 
programmes to help African governments and firm s identify and develop the market opportunities 
available under AGOA.  AGOA continues to suppor t the efforts of sub-Saharan African countries 
undertaking economic, political, and social reform s and provides incentives for countries considering 
such reforms.  As of Septem ber 2010, 38 sub-Saharan African c ountries were eligible for AGOA, 
including 21 WTO LDC Members.  Helping AGOA beneficiary countries improve their capacity to 
trade and to make the most of the opportunities afforded under AGOA has been  a major focus of US 
TCB programmes.  The five-year, US$200 m illion African Global Competitiveness Initiative 
(see Section XI.A.), is a key element of US TCB in support of AGOA.  The AGCI supports the work of the four USAID-managed regional Trade Hubs  for Global Competitiveness, located in Gaborone, 
Botswana; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; and Dakar,  Senegal.  Each Hub is staffed by a team of 
experts in trade-related fields and responds to region-specific needs.  
IX. MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION 
42. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a US development assistance programme 
designed to achieve poverty reducti on through economic growth by investing in areas such as 
agriculture development, education, enterprise a nd private sector development, governance, health, 
infrastructure, land titling, and trade and investment capacity building.  Created in 2004, the MCC's 
total compact funding is over US$7.1 billion.  The MCC is the largest source of US Government 
Trade Capacity Building (TCB) funding for sub-Saharan Africa. IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
Page 12  
 
  43. As of September 2010, the MCC has threshold or compact agreements with 12 WTO Member 
LDCs:  Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Lesot ho, Liberia, Malawi, Ma li, Mozambique, Rwanda, 
Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia.  Additionally, MCC has programmes with Sao Tome and Principe, 
and Vanuatu, both countries in the WTO accession process.   US Trade-related assistance is earmarked 
for port, transportation and irrigation infrastructure,  modernized payment and settlement systems, land 
administration reform, creation of agricultural bus iness centers, industrial park development, and 
border management systems - all of which will serve  as incentives for incre ased US private sector 
trade and investment, which are the major avenues through which private sector tech transfer occurs. 
X. US TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
44. The US Trade and Development Agency (U STDA) advances economic development in 
developing and middle income countries.  The Agen cy funds various forms of technical assistance, 
early investment analysis, training, reverse trad e missions, and business workshops that support the 
development of a modern infrastructure and a fa ir and open trading environment.  USTDA is 
dedicated to promoting public-private partnerships and, through its provision of grant funding, the 
Agency assists its partners during the critical pla nning phases of priority infrastructure development 
projects that support economic growth and promote th e effective transfer of technology to LDCs.  
Recognizing the importance of trade to LDC grow th, USTDA works closely with USTR, other US 
Government agencies, and regional economic co mmunities to develop trade capacity and apply 
private sector solutions to development challeng es worldwide.  In FY2010, USTDA provided a little 
over US$5.1 million in assistance activities designed to  create an enabling environment for increased 
trade and investment in LDCs.  For example: 
• Rwanda:  USTDA provided a US$547,000 gr ant to Rwanda's national bank, Banque 
Nationale du Rwanda (BNR), for technical assistance on the modernization of BNR's information and communication technology infrast ructure.  This project will assist BNR in 
building the technical capabilities to provide real-time cash balance information to policymakers.  These capabilities will build capacity for more effective fiscal policy 
formulation and budget execution at the Ministry of Finance.  Specifically, this activity may 
improve the Government of Rwanda's cash management and reduce unnecessary borrowing 
and enable more accurate cash fo recasting and budget implementation. 
 
• Haiti:  USTDA is providing a grant in the amount of US$813,000 to the Autorite 
Aeroportuaire National (AAN), Haiti's national air port authority, to conduct an analysis of 
priority airport infrastructure modernization proj ects.  This assistance will enable it to design 
and implement important upgrades at Haiti's princi pal international airport in Port-au-Prince.  
The projects to be analyzed through this tec hnical assistance grant include the construction of 
a parallel taxiway, a new air traffic control tower, a sewage collection system, and a wastewater treatment plant, a power genera tion facility and other high priority post-
earthquake upgrades and repairs.    
 XI. US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION   
45. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) plays an important role in maintaining the 
strong, interconnected global transportation system vital for economic growth in the United States and 
abroad.  DOT is engaged in a wide range of activ ities designed to enhance the transportation capacity 
and infrastructure of sub-Saharan African countries.  
46. The Safe Skies for Africa Programme (SSFA) is based on the premise that "Safe Skies" are a 
prerequisite for increased trade and investment a nd long-term economic development in Africa.   
Safer air travel promotes the business contacts through which private sector technology transfer occurs.  The safety and security components compleme nt US Government efforts to conclude Open  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Skies agreements with key African countries and promote code-share agreements between US and 
African airlines.  In 2008 to 2010, the SSFA continued in its mission to promote sustainable improvements in aviation safety in Africa as a means of advancing economic development and 
increased investment between the United States and Africa.  The overarching goal of the programme 
is to increase the number of African nations me eting International Civil Aviation Organization 
(ICAO) standards for safety and security.  Recently Ni geria, with technical assistance from the FAA, 
met International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)  standards for safety and security.  Aviation 
safety and security has been enhanced in each of  the countries where equipment and training have 
been provided.  The SSFA programme supports a regional approach to the development and 
implementation of an ICAO-compliant Civil Avia tion Authority.  The DOT has trained African 
experts at the Federal Aviation Administration facility in Oklahoma City, and in-country where 
appropriate, resulting in hundreds of personnel receiving state-of-the-art training to address 
airworthiness, operations and navi gation throughout the continent .  
XII. US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
A. US
 NATIONAL PLANT GERMPLASM SYSTEM (NPGS):   TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN THE FORM 
OF GERMPLASM AND RELATED INFORMATION  
47. All countries rely heavily on production of non-i ndigenous crops to meet food needs.  This 
inter-dependence highlights the need for cooperation in conservation, exchange and use of the plant 
genetic resources that support agricu ltural production everywhere.  It is increasingly important that 
countries cooperate to enable world food production to  meet the needs of future generations.  The US 
Federal Government has been actively involved in the collection and preservation of plant germplasm 
since the early 1800s.  Today, the US National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) has the primary 
federal responsibility for the ex situ preservation of  germplasm collections of crop plants and their 
wild relatives.  The NPGS has long recognized that all countries are inter-dependent in their need for 
plant genetic resource s (PGR) and the efficient c onservation of these important resources can only be 
accomplished through international collaboration.   The activities of the NPGS embody this 
recognition, not only through the conservation a nd distribution of germplasm and associated 
information to scientists worldwide, but also th rough the support and capacity building for genetic 
resources conservation in many other countries.  This collaboration has taken the form of both 
contributions that will benefit all countries and individual support to specific countries.  To assist all nations, the NPGS partnered with Bioversity Inte rnational and the Global Crop Diversity Trust to 
develop a new germplasm information management  system, GRIN-Global, which will become the 
global standard for safeguarding this invaluable information. 
48. The demand for germplasm from the NPGS is great.  Although the germplasm is used 
extensively for cultivar improvement, it is also used for a wide variety of other scientific studies, most of which ultimately contribute to improvements in  crop production.  In response to requests from 
researchers, breeders and administrators world-wide, the NPGS distributed an average of more than 
150,000 accessions annually between the years 2000 – 2009.  Approximately 70 per cent of the 
accessions were distributed to US scientists and 30%  to foreign scientists, including CGIAR Centers.  
Scientists in 140 countries receiv ed germplasm, notably including:  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina 
Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti,  Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, 
Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra  Leone, Sudan, Tanzania , Uganda and Zambia.
   
49. In recent years, the US government has provided funds for many additional projects on 
germplasm conservation and utilization.  NPGS scientists have collaborated with USDA/Foreign 
Agricultural Service and the USDA/ARS Office of  International Research Programmes on these 
projects. In Bangladesh, scientists at the Bangl adesh Agricultural University in Mymensing, 
Bangladesh, with the technical cooperation of NPGS scientists,  collected, evaluated, preserved and 
distributed germplasm of landraces and wild relatives of traditional fruits and vegetables.  Over IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
Page 14  
 
  several decades, in addition to the "technology tr ansfer" by distributing germplasm, NPGS personnel 
have provided training in all as pects of germplasm maintenance,  evaluation, documentation, and 
enhancement to many scientists from numerous co untries.  In some cases, organized programmes 
involved training of numerous scientists from one country.   
50. The NPGS has also provided extensive training in germplasm documentation to collaborators 
from multiple countries.  During 2010, in preparati on for the release of GRIN-Global, international 
specialists have been trained by NPGS personnel in  the software, These specialists will begin to train 
additional genebank personnel at locations throughout the world during the latter part of 2010 and 
early 2011.  
Distribution According to LDC WTO Member or Observer Countries (2000 – 2009)
 
 
COUNTRY  COUNT  
Afghanistan 152 
Bangladesh 27 Burkina Faso 6 Burundi 66 CGIAR 9882 Cambodia 28 Ethiopia 2423 Haiti 24 Lesotho 4 Madagascar 78 Mali 24 Myanmar 20 Niger 763 Rwanda 24 Senegal 34 Sierra Leone 97 Sudan 287 Tanzania 43 Zambia 11 
 
XIII.  US AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
51. USAID is the principal US Government agency involved in implementing the goal of 
promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in developing countries around the world.  
USAID's overarching goal in economic growth is to help partner countries achieve rapid, sustained 
and broad-based growth that includes all vulnera ble groups.  Encouraging technology transfer and 
respecting intellectual property rights is importa nt in reaching this overarching goal.   
52. In support of economic growth, agriculture, and trade USAID endeavors to:  (1) develop well-
functioning markets in developing countries;  (2 ) enhance access to productive opportunities for the 
poor, women and other disadvantaged groups; and (3 ) strengthen the international framework of 
policies, institutions and public goods that sup port growth prospects and opportunities for poor 
countries.  Examples include research and developm ent of special initiatives on agricultural, health 
and other problems specific to developing countr ies and promoting international standards—from 
trade to intellectual property rights—that provide s ound models for developing economies to emulate.  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
 Page 15 
 
 
  53. Helping LDCs integrate into the world economy is a major feature of USAID's economic 
growth and trade activities, which focus on trade a nd investment policy, institutional analysis and 
reform, trade capacity building and technical tr aining, environmentally  sound natural resources 
management, and the promotion of US-Africa private sector development.  As mentioned, USAID plays a key role in providing Aid for Trade or Trad e Capacity Building (TCB) assistance to the least 
developing economies.  USAID is the second largest USG provider of TCB after MCC.  From 1999 to 
2009, USAID has provided over US$805 million in TCB assistance to 43 of the least developed countries, or LDCs, as defined by the United Nations.  
54. The programmes below are examples of USAID programmes that directly or indirectly 
promote technology transfer. 
A. A
FRICAN GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INITIATIVE  
55. An initiative called the African Global Compe titiveness Initiative (AGCI) is one of USAID's 
main TCB programmes in sub-Saharan Africa.   The five-year (2006-2010), US$200 million AGCI 
was designed to help expand African trade and i nvestment with the United States, with other 
international trading partners, a nd regionally within Africa by improving the export competitiveness 
of sub-Saharan African enterprises.  AGCI's objectiv es are:  (1) to improve the business climate for 
private sector-led trade and investment;  (2) to strengthen the knowledge a nd skills of sub-Saharan 
African private sector enterprises to take advantag e of market opportunities;  (3) to increase access to 
financial services for trade and investment;  and (4) to facilitate investments in infrastructure.  The 
AGCI operates within the framework  of AGOA and works with host-country government and private 
sector partners through the four USAID-managed Regional Trade Hubs for Global Competitiveness in 
sub-Saharan Africa (in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Senega l).  Each Hub is staffed by a team of experts 
in various trade-related fields and responds to region-specific ne eds and serves as a central point 
where African and US government agencies, donor and civil society organizations, and the private sector can find information and technical assistance on trade, investment, and business activities in the 
region, including training opportunities.  The Hubs  work with regional organizations to increase 
regional economic integration, reduce barriers to regional trade, and facilitate investment in 
infrastructure, which works to encourage greater investment.  In FY2009 the Hubs helped African 
countries generate US$71.1 million in AGOA exports.  Further information about the Hubs can be 
found on the Internet at http://www.watradehub.com/
 (for the two hubs in West Africa), 
http://www.satradehub.org  (for Southern Africa), and http://www.competeafrica.org  (for Eastern and 
Central Africa).  
B. FEED THE FUTURE .   
56. Feed the Future (FTF) is the US Government 's global hunger and f ood availability initiative 
that USAID participates in and which renews the USG commitment to invest in sustainably reducing 
hunger and poverty.  At the G-8 Summit, the President pledged at least US$3.5 billion for agricultural development and food availability over three years to leverage and align more than US$18.5 billion 
from other donors in support of a common approach .  Under the direction of the US Global Hunger 
and Food Security Coordinator, USAID seeks to contribute to the FTF collective impact by providing agricultural productivity through increased access to  affordable agricultural inputs and improved 
techniques and technology, including agricultural biotechnology, highlighted above, and for high 
quality seed, livestock feed, fertilizer and best ma nagement practices.  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 mark et infrastructure, access to business development 
and financial services, all of which promote t echnology transfer and trade.  Moreover the FTF's 
technical assistance will enhance animal, plant, an d food safety by improving standards and creating 
strong regulatory frameworks; reducing the time and co st of border movement of goods; and through 
the creation of an enabling environment for agri business growth—again ai ded through technology 
transfer to LDCs.  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
Page 16  
 
  C. USAID
 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE (GDA) 
57. The Global Development Alliance (GDA) mob ilizes the ideas, efforts and resources of 
governments, businesses, and civil society by forging public-private alliances  to stimulate economic 
growth, develop businesses and workforces, addre ss health and environmental issues, and expand 
access to education and technology.  The GDA busin ess model links US foreign assistance with the 
resources, expertise, and creativity of government s, business, and civil society.  Through public–
private partnerships, USAID and its partners combine their assets to address pressing development 
problems, achieving a solution that would not be possible for any individual partner alone.  Through fiscal year 2009, USAID has cultivated more th an 1000 alliances with 30 00 partners to extend 
development assistance programming.  For example, USAID and Firestone are planning to launch a 
GDA that will reinvigorate Liberia's rubber industr y and support the development of a clean energy 
power plant in Monrovia through a rubber tree cultiv ation and recycling programme.  The partnership 
is expected to increase export-driven trade a nd growth while boosting Liberia's clean energy 
initiatives.  In 2005, USAID created a new obligatin g instrument – the collaboration agreement – to 
provide funding directly to non-traditional partners .  For example, the Private Financing Advisory 
Network (PFAN), an alliance of private sector companies and investors, receives funding from 
USAID to help developers of cl imate-friendly technologies in deve loping countries find financing.  
Through the alliances of the GDA, USAID has not only gained additional financial resources for 
development activities, but also new technologies, in tellectual capital, and technical and managerial 
expertise that enhances its ability to address an in creasingly complex set of development challenges. 
D. USAID
 GLOBAL BROADBAND AND INNOVATIONS (GBI) 
58. USAID recently launched a new Global Broadband and Innovations programme (GBI).  This 
innovative programme is designed to extend broadband networks, including cell phones, into remote 
rural areas in the developing world to improve programmes in a variety of sectors.  The GBI programme's primary areas of focus include:  
• Connectivity —providing support for continued market  reforms for expanding availability 
and affordability of access for mobile and br oadband Internet services.  This includes 
enabling a growing number of countries to adopt  effective Universal Service Funds (USFs) 
for extending sustainable rural broadband and mobile networks.  Innovative new technologies 
are being explored for new, more cost efficient solutions for reaching out to the rural edge and 
closing the digital gap.   
 
• Mobile—worldwide there are an estimated 5 billion mobile phone subscribers—on the order 
of 70 percent of the world's population.  Th e GBI programme seeks to accelerate local 
adoption of mobile-based solutions that cont ribute to extending vital development activities 
through these expanding mobile networks.  A key focus in this area is on mobile applications 
that have potential for greater scale and repli cation that allow faster adoption and broader 
penetration of successful solutions.   
 
• Innovations—the high tech community has a long history with the introduction into the 
marketplace of innovative technology solutions  and applications.  Typically these are 
developed by and for the more mature devel oped markets.  The GBI programme focuses on 
seeking and gaining global scale from innovative solutions that are more aligned with the 
priorities of emerging and developing economies.   
 
• Collaboration—USAID has placed a high premium on developing partners hips, and through a 
new GBI Alliance with NetHope USAID has brought together high tech providers along with 
32 of the largest international NGOs responsible for implementing many of USAID's programmes.  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
 Page 17 
 
 
  E. USAID  WEST AFRICA POWER POOL   
59. Increased availability of low cost, environmenta lly friendly electricity is critical to economic 
development and trade with West Africa.  In FY200 5, USAID's West Africa Programme continued to 
provide support to the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP), an industry organization created by electrical utilities in the region with the goal of increasing i nvestment in the sector.  The WAPP entered a new 
phase of its development with the approval in prin ciple by the Energy Ministers of the ECOWAS 
States at the end of October 2005 of the Articles of  Agreement for a Power Pool organization.  In 
FY2005, construction began on the West Africa G as Pipeline by a consortium of US and West 
African companies and the first deliveries of ga s occurred in 2010.  USAI D's investment in the 
pipeline helped regulators and governments create th e enabling environment allowing for this US$615 
million investment that will bring low cost fuel to power plants in Benin, Ghana, and Togo. 
60. USAID also provides technical assistance to th e Southern, West, and Central Africa Power 
Pools.  The objective of this support is to increase access to reliable, affordable electricity through 
economically based, cross-border energy trading, wh ile also building the capacity of the continent's 
electricity utilities to deliver essential se rvices in a commercially viable manner. 
F. USAID'
S SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL INITIATIVE FOR ENERGY (SARI/E NERGY ) 
61. The SARI/Energy programme focuses on regiona l approaches to meet South Asia's energy 
security needs through increased trade, investment and access to clean energy.  Three of the eight 
partner countries in SARI/Energy are WTO Member LDCs, specifically Nepal, Bangladesh, and the 
Maldives. There have been numerous accomplis hments in the 2008-2010 period that embody 
technology transfer.  Recent significant SARI initiatives include: 
• Fostering a partnership agreement among tw o US-based utility companies and the Dhaka 
Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO). 
 
• Sponsorship of an exchange between 15 S outh Asian energy executives and counterparts 
from the Southern Africa Power Pool.  Par ticipants discussed approaches for attracting 
investment, managing energy markets in deficit power situations and analyzing power trading 
strategies. 
 
• Conducting a feasibility study on interconnecti ons between Bangladesh's power grid and 
India's eastern and north eastern grids, including potential interconnections involving Nepal and Bhutan. 
 
• Supplying Nepalese farmers with Indian-developed solar technology used to preserve surplus 
fruits, vegetables and spices. 
 
G. C
ORAL TRIANGLE INITIATIVE ON FOOD SECURITY , CORAL REEFS AND CLIMATE CHANGE  
62. The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) on Food Secu rity, Coral Reefs and Climate Change is a 
multilateral partnership to safeguard the Southeast Asia region's extraordinary marine and coastal biological resources.  Recognized as the global cen ter of marine biological diversity, the Coral 
Triangle region embraces six countries - Indonesia,  Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, 
Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands.  The CTI wa s officially launched in December 2007 during the 
13th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framewor k Convention on Climate Change in Bali, and 
endorsed by the six heads of state at the CT I Summit in May 2009.  Home to some 363 million 
people, one third of whom are directly dependent on coastal and marine resources for their livelihoods, the region faces immediate risk from a range of factors, including over-fishing, 
unsustainable fishing methods, land-based sources of po llution and climate change.  Over the first five IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
Page 18  
 
  years of the initiative, USAID and Department of State plan to invest at least US$55 million 
(US$54 million from USAID plus US $1 million from State) in the regional initiative plus bilateral 
support to the initiative in Indonesia and the Philippin es.  Investments will strengthen the capacity of 
community groups, governments, and public and pr ivate organizations to conserve the Coral 
Triangle's globally important biodiversity, improve  fisheries management, enhance resiliency and 
promote climate change adaptation
. 
H. CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH   
63. USAID supports the Consultative Group on Inte rnational Agriculture Research (CGIAR).  
The CGIAR is a global research-for-developmen t partnership consisti ng of a Consortium of 
international agricultural and natura l resources research centers and its  funders working with partners 
to achieve the CGIAR vision.  The CGIAR's visi on is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve human 
health and nutrition, and enhance ecosystem resilie nce through high-quality international agricultural 
research, partnership and leadership.  The CGIA R was established in 1971, and its donors include 
both developing and developed countries, internat ional and regional orga nizations and private 
foundations.  
I. SUPPORT FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY  
64. Agricultural biotechnology offers an important  tool, which along with traditional breeding, 
new technologies, and improved resource management , enhances crop, livestock, and aquaculture 
productivity.  This increases the incomes of small-s cale agricultural producers in an environmentally 
sustainable way by: 
• Reducing pesticide use and excess fertilizer us e that pose threats to biodiversity and human 
health  
 
• Battling damaging plant diseases and pests by developing new resistant crop varieties  
 
• Making widely grown food crops more resilient and stress tolerant, thereby helping farmers 
adapt to a changing climate  
 
• Enhancing the nutritional quality of key staple crops to counter malnutrition and improve the 
health of farmers and consumers  
 
• Enabling better livestock disease diagnosis and th e development of more effective livestock 
vaccines 
 65. USAID takes an integrated approach to ensu re that countries can safely access biotechnology 
if they choose to do so and that a broader range of  technology is available for the benefit of small 
scale farmers.  This is accomplished by building tec hnical capacity in crop research and development 
and making sure that decision makers have the res ources they need to make informed decisions about 
biotechnology and biosafety. 
66. Since 1989, USAID has taken an innovative approach to biotechnology, integrating 
technological development with policy reforms n ecessary for safe and effective application in 
developing countries.  Through USAID's collabor ative agricultural biotechnology programmes, 
developing countries build the capacity to develo p the crops they need in a safe manner.  The 
programmes engage the expertise of faculty and st aff from US and developing country universities, 
private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and in ternational institutions such as the Consultative 
Group on International Agricultural Research  (CGIAR) to form an integrated strategy for developing 
and managing this technology.  IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
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  67. The Programme's goals include:  
• Develop new crops for smallholde r farmers to improve the availability of food and strengthen 
livelihoods; 
• Develop and strengthen biosafety systems to regulate biotechnology; 
• Increase developing countries' capacity for technology development;   
• Increase public understanding of biotechnology and biosafety; 
• Help public research systems address regulatory and intellectual property rights issues as they 
move crops from lab to field; and 
• Support environmental research to inform biotechnology risk assessment and management. 
 
J. PROGRAMMEFOR BIOSAFETY SYSTEMS  
68. The Programme for Biosafety Systems (PBS), managed by the International Food Policy 
Research Institute (IFPRI), supports the devel opment and implementation of national biosafety 
systems in Africa and Asia.  PBS addresses biosafet y through an integrated programme of research, 
capacity development, and outreach.   
K. SOUTH ASIA BIOSAFETY PROGRAMME  
69. The South Asia Biosafety Program is dedicated to assisting the Governments of Bangladesh 
and India in further strengthening institutional go vernance of biotechnology.  The programme builds 
on existing efforts to advise governments on enhancing and streamlining government 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. 
L. A
GRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SUPPORT PROGRAMME II 
70. Agricultural Biotechnology Support Programme II, a USAID-funded consortium of public 
and private sector institutions managed by Corn ell University, focuses on the safe and effective 
development and commercialization of bioengineer ed crops as a complement to traditional and 
organic agricultural approaches.  Current ABSPII partner countries include India, Bangladesh, the 
Philippines, Indonesia and Uganda with several in-country ABSPII representatives. 
XIV.  GENERAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  RIGHTS-RELATED PROGRAMMES  
A. USPTO  GLOBAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACADEMY  
71. The United States Patent and Trademark O ffice (USPTO) trains and offers technical 
assistance on intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement to countries around the world 
including LDCs.  Without a strong system of IPR protection, foreign businesses will be hesitant to 
make their technology available to developing count ry partners and devel oping country innovators 
will not be able to capitalize on their creativity .  In FY 2010, the USPTO conducted 53 training, 
technical assistance, and capacity building programm es for over 1,024 participants.  In 2007, the 
USPTO completed construction of a Global Intell ectual Property Academy that includes a 20,000 
square-foot training facility at its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.  Through this dedicated space, 
the USPTO efficiently delivers targeted training to foreign IP officials.  Training focuses on pertinent 
information for IP office administrators, examiners,  judges, prosecutors, customs officers, and other 
government and law enforcement officials.  LD C representatives attended 12 Global IP Academy 
programmes in 2010 as well as additional programmes at the USPTO such as the State Department's 
International Visitor Leadership Programme and the Foreign Mission Embassy Programme.  
Countries represented at these programmes include d: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, 
Cambodia, Gambia, Haiti, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Ma lawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New 
Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia . IP/C/W/551/Add.5 
Page 20  
 
  72. Additionally, the USPTO continues to provide IP-focused technical assistance and capacity 
building to officials in countries throughout the world.  Programmes are focused on IP rights 
enforcement as well as patent, trademark, and copy right policy and best practices.  LDC officials 
attended many USPTO programmes throughout the world th is past fiscal year.  Participants at these 
programmes included government officials from:  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina 
Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Lao PDR,  Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, 
Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samo a, Sierra Leone, Sudan,  Tanzania, The Gambia, 
Uganda, and Zambia. 
73. The United States provides further elaborati on of its technical assistance, training and 
technology transfer activities specific to intellect ual property rights in its  2010 Report on activities 
carried out in relation to TRIPS Article 67
. 
 
 
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