2024 WIPO Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources held

WIPO member states have unanimously approved a groundbreaking new Treaty concerning intellectual property (IP), genetic resources, and associated traditional knowledge, marking a historic breakthrough after decades of negotiations.

Daren Tang, WIPO Director General said “We made history today. For the first time in over a decade, we have a new WIPO treaty, the 27th WIPO treaty. For the first time, systems of knowledge and wisdom that supported economies, societies and cultures for centuries are now inscribed into the global IP system. For the first time, the connection between Indigenous Peoples, local communities and their genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge is recognized by the global IP community."

This milestone treaty is the first of its kind within WIPO, addressing the intersection of intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge. Notably, it also includes provisions tailored for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, a first for WIPO treaties.