New Members But No Structural Change In WIPO Program And Budget Committee – For Now

Despite an effort by the Asia and Pacific Group countries to increase their representation, the geographical distribution of membership of the powerful World Intellectual Property Organization Program and Budget Committee remained the same at the completion of discussions at the annual WIPO General Assembly tonight. But WIPO members did agree to begin consideration of the composition of the committee. 

The Asia and Pacific Group (APG) made the case that as their representation and level of activity in the UN agency has increased they ought to have 11 seats on the 53-member PBC, not only 9. Instead, they received a commitment from the membership to engage in consultations on the PBC, including geographical representation, for a decision at the 2018 General Assembly.

Indonesia, on behalf of the Asia and Pacific Group, said in plenary that the group was pleased that the Assembly agreed to start discussion on the composition of the PBC, which is an “interest of all member states.” In order to be constructive, he said, the region limited its nomination this year to again 9 countries. Indonesia and Vietnam decided to defer their membership.

The existing membership of the PBC was expiring this month, and the new members are approved until October 2019.

The adopted language listed the new membership and included the paragraph:

“The WIPO General Assembly decided to consider the composition of the Program and Budget Committee; in this context, the Chair of the WIPO General Assembly will undertake consultations on an inclusive, transparent, and effective PBC, taking into account, among other considerations, geographical representation, with a view to making a decision at the WIPO General Assembly at its fiftieth session in 2018.”

New members on the committee include: Algeria, Angola, Bulgaria, Colombia (2019), Costa Rica (2108), Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Oman, South Africa, Thailand, and United Arab Emirates. Switzerland moved to an ex oficio status.

The members who remained on the committee are: Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Romania, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, and United States.

Members who are no longer on the committee include: Armenia, Belarus, Congo, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Poland, Senegal, Slovakia, Trinidad & Tobago, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

 

Image Credits: WIPO