Bringing together the 179 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as well as some intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, the WIPO 2003 Assemblies met from 22 September to 1 October 2003, in Geneva, Switzerland, to review the organization’s activities over the past year and agree on its agenda for the next.

The meeting’s highlights included: approval of the 2004-2005 programme and budget by consensus; four studies on the effect of the patent system on developing countries; and amendments to streamline and simplify WIPO’s governance and constitutional structure and reinforce the transparency and efficiency of the organization.
Regarding the WIPO’s Intergovernmental committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), the General Assembly decided to extend its mandate, which requires the IGC to accelerate its work and focus on the international dimension of intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. Among the most contentious points was the possible outcome of the IGC’s work that should be included in the mandate. Over disagreement on whether the outcome should be a legally binding instrument or not, members agreed on vague language saying “no outcome of its work is excluded, including the possible development of an international instrument or instruments.”
More information on this meeting is available at:
WIPO Press Release, 1 October 2003
http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/releases/2003/p363.htm
WIPO Press Release on IGC-related outcomes, 29 September 2003
http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/releases/2003/p362.htm
ICTSD reporting, 3 October 2003
http://www.ictsd.org/biores/03-10-03/story1.htm