The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) is pleased to invite you to a Dialogue on Climate Change, Transfer of Technology, and Intellectual Property rights (IPRs) on 27th March 2009, (13-15-14h45), Room B, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), 34, Chemin des Colombettes, Geneva, Switzerland.

The objective of the dialogue is to contribute to a better understanding of issues relating to climate change, transfer of technology and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in perspective of the meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen this year, which will examine a global response to the climate change crisis for 2012 and beyond.

Background

The magnitude of the climate change crisis, and the key role of environmentally sound technologies (EST) in addressing it, have spurred efforts for more effective and vigorous action in the area of transfer of technology, one of the cornerstones of the UNFCCC regime and a key element of any new climate change agreement.

In this regard, the Bali Plan of Action called for: “Enhanced action on technology development and transfer to support action on mitigation and adaptation, including, inter alia, consideration of: (i) Effective mechanisms and enhanced means for the removal of obstacles to, and provision of financial and other incentives for, scaling up of the development and transfer of technology to developing country Parties in order to promote access to affordable environmentally sound technologies;”

In the UNFCCC discussions since Bali and more recently at Poznan, the role of IPRs in transfer of technology has been the subject of increased attention by different stakeholders such as governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector. At the same time, there is a significant need for evidence based analysis to adequately inform policy and action in this area.

In this context, and building on previous research in this area, ICTSD invited a number of distinguished scholars and experts to present analysis and research which would contribute toward a better understanding of issues in relation to climate change, transfer of technology and IPRs with a view towards achieving a wider diffusion of EST.

WIPO’s Standing Committee on Patents (SCP) offered a timely opportunity to present such analysis and research to an informed audience of policy makers, negotiators and experts knowledgeable on IP matters.

The interventions were followed by an exchange of views with the participants.