WIPO Survey Seeks Public Input On UN Agency’s Development Agenda

Interested observers have a unique opportunity until mid-January to give their views on the landmark 2007 World Intellectual Property Organization Development Agenda, including its implementation, relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency in use of resources, and its sustainability.

The survey is available on the WIPO website here.

The WIPO Development Agenda, envisioned by its originators as a cross-cutting way to make the United Nations IP rights organisation more development-oriented. It consists of 45 Recommendations cutting across all aspects of intellectual property, which has led to the implementation of numerous on-the-ground projects. The implementation is overseen by member states through the WIPO Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP).

A review team of three experts is overseeing the survey process, see Intellectual Property Watch reporting for details here (IPW, WIPO, 18 November 2015).

The CDIP came up with terms of reference for the survey, which includes key questions, reprinted below.

From the survey:

In responding to the questionnaire, please bear in mind that according to the ToR approved by the CDIP, the key questions to be addressed by the Review Team are the following:

Relevance: to what extent WIPO’s Work and the results of its activities for the implementation of the Development Agenda Recommendations serve the needs of Member States, stakeholders and other intended beneficiaries?

Impact:  what is the impact of WIPO’s Work in the implementation of the Development Agenda Recommendations?  To this end, the Review must address the actual impact of WIPO’s work in the implementation of the Development Agenda Recommendations at various levels and across WIPO’s bodies and programs.

Effectiveness:  to what extent is WIPO’s Work effective in the implementation of the Development Agenda Recommendations?  To this end, the Review must address whether WIPO’s work has been effective in achieving the outcomes in line with the Development Agenda Recommendations and also, whether the project-based approach has been effective.

Efficiency:  how efficiently has WIPO used the human and financial resources in its work directed at the implementation of the Development Agenda Recommendations?

Sustainability:  to what extent are the results of WIPO’s Work sustainable in the long term?  To this end, the Review must also identify the best practices and the lessons learned from the WIPO’s Work in the implementation of the Development Agenda Recommendations with the view to achieving sustainable outcomes in future.