On Tuesday, 14 July 2026, Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) delivered the following statement on agenda item, 11(v), Report from the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore.
KEI would like to thank Mr. Edward Kwakwa for his service to the organization, including his tenure as Legal Counsel, and his role as Assistant Director General of the Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector, overseeing the work of this Committee, including the successful conclusion of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.
It is the view of KEI that separate instruments for traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions are more manageable, as the issues raised are significantly different, as are the nature of protections and rights that will be considered.
Furthermore, it may be easier to address some type of benefit-sharing framework for genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge disclosed in patent applications, than for an instrument on the protection of traditional cultural expressions, or the broader issues regarding the protection of TK.
A narrow instrument on benefit-sharing that complements the 2024 WIPO treaty, would maintain the progress achieved at the Diplomatic Conference, without prejudice to future negotiation on the broader agenda.
Regarding the choice of hard or soft instruments, it may be useful to have a report of the national and cross border implementation of the 1976 WIPO/UNESCO model law for copyright provisions on traditional cultural expressions, as well as the experience of other earlier WIPO model laws.