WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization

1. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, has the governing body of your organization taken (or will it take) any decisions or new strategies to guide the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If any, please provide a brief summary below, including the overarching vision of your organization.

 

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) has initiated discussions on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs since April 2015.

During its fifteenth session (April 2015), the CDIP requested the Secretariat to provide an analytical document to propose possible courses of action as to how WIPO needs to adapt itself in order to support Member States on the attainment of the goals of the Post-2015 Development Agenda (DA).

The CDIP considered at its sixteenth (November 2015), seventeenth (April 2016) and eighteenth (November 2016) sessions, a series of documents on "WIPO and the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Mapping of WIPO Activities Related to the SDGs Implementation", and the "Compilation of Member State Inputs on SDGs relevant to WIPO's Work".

At its eighteenth session, the CDIP requested the Secretariat to present an annual report to the Committee, at its first session of the year, containing information on WIPO's contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its associated targets on:

(a) the activities and initiatives undertaken individually by the Organization;

(b) The activities undertaken by the Organization as part of the UN System; and

(c) The assistance provided by WIPO to Member States upon their request.

The Committee also decided to continue its discussion on the way to address this item.

 

 

2.1 SDG-specific strategies, plans or work programmes

 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an important feature in WIPO's programs and activities. SDG 9, notably its innovation component, is at the heart of WIPO's mission. SDG 9 is the most central to WIPO's mandate. Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) are cross-cutting issues, which are mainstreamed across all WIPO's Strategic Goals.

Twenty out of a total of thirty-one programs included in the Program and Budget for 2018-2019 are linked to SDGs . WIPO's Strategic Goals and Programs are aligned with the priorities set in the 2030 Agenda. WIPO's development cooperation, technical assistance and capacity building activities are strategically placed to deliver support to its member States as they integrate the SDGs in their national sustainable development plans.

 

 

2.3 Readjusting or updating results-based budgeting and management, including performance indicators:

The Organization's Results Framework highlights WIPO's Strategic Goals and Expected Results which contribute to the SDGs. The Results Framework sets out the 38 organizational Expected Results (ER) for the 2018/19 biennium, providing the mandate for the Programs contributing to these results.

 

3.1 Mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies or through national sustainable development plans/strategies:

WIPO assists its Member States, particularly developing and least developed countries, and countries in transition, upon their request, to produce national IP strategies and laws, aligned with their development strategies, which encourage and facilitate the effective creation, development, management, and protection of Intellectual Property (IP). IP is one of the key elements for a positive enabling environment to support innovation in technological development, and diversity in creativity, as many of the SDGs are dependent upon the development and diffusion of innovative technologies. WIPO's Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) provide access in over 60 countries to technological information through patent databases and access to scientific literature through the Access to Research for Development and Innovation Programme (ARDI), the Access to Specialized Patent Information Programme (ARDI) and the development of national intellectual property and innovation strategies.

 

3.3 Data and statistical capacity building:

Various WIPO databases, platforms, and analytical reports contribute to promoting innovation by helping Member States and various users strengthen their ability to understand and leverage trends in policy, business, and innovative technologies.

 

3.4 Science, technology and innovation for the SDGs:

Capacity building programs are also set to promote IP as a tool for development and to spur innovation and creativity. The WIPO Academy is the core entity in WIPO for enhancing training and human capacity-building activities, particularly for developing countries, least-developed countries (LDCs) and countries in transition. The Academy acts as a catalyst for a virtual network of partners, experts and teachers in development-oriented IP training. It provides professional and open-access online learning and training designed to expand the range and impact of training opportunities at the national, regional and international levels.

 

4.1 Supporting the intergovernmental body of your organization in contributing to the thematic review of the HLPF:

WIPO has participated by attending and engaging in the discussions of each session of the HLPF, including 2016 and 2017, and will participate in the 2018 session. WIPO has contributed to the policy/background briefs for the HLPF, in particular focusing on the subject of innovation, science and technology, and has suggested speakers and participated in ECESA-Plus coordinated efforts to contribute to the preparation of specific sections of the HLPF program.

 

4.3 Helping organize SDG-specific events in the preparatory process:

 

WIPO co-organized SDG-specific events during the preparatory process as follows:

- During the preparatory process for the HLPF 2017, WIPO organized an event in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of China on Women as Innovators and Beneficiaries of Innovation for Sustainable Development (April 26, 2017). WIPO also co-organized with UN Women and UNESCO an expert meeting on future foresight methodologies for policymaking on gender and STI (March 30, 2017). Finally, WIPO together with UNCTAD, ITU, the World Bank and the Permanent Missions of Japan and Mexico co-organized an event on Innovation strategies: Designing national policies that use innovation to meet the SDGs (May 16, 2017).

- During the preparatory process for the HLPF 2016, WIPO together with UNIDO and the Permanent Missions of Finland and Kenya co-organized an event on the role of innovation and technologies for sustainable development (June 7, 2016). WIPO and the Permanent Mission of Indonesia also co-organized an event on Digital Creativity Re imagining Culture for Sustainable development (April 26, 2016).

 

 

4.4 Organizing side evens or speaking at the HLPF:

- During the HLPF 2017 WIPO, together with UNESCO, UN Women and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda, co-organized a side event to the HLPF 2017 on the theme Closing the Gender Gap on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (July 12, 2017).

 

5. How has your organization cooperated with other UN system organizations to achieve coherence and synergies in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? In this regard, has your organization launched or intend to launch any joint programmes or projects in collaboration with other UN entities? Are there any results or lessons you would like to highlight that might help improve the design and impact of such efforts? Has your organization participated in any of the following coordination systemwide mechanisms or any other relevant platform - CEB, UNDG, EC-ESA Plus, RCMs, UN-Energy, UN-Water, UN-Ocean, IAEG, IATT?  Please specify which and indicate any suggestions you may have about improving collaborations within and across these mechanisms/platforms:

 

WIPO's Director General participates in the CEB, and WIPO is regularly represented at ECESA meetings.

WIPO is an observer and participates in meetings of the IAEG-SDGs, and is an active member of the IATT on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for SDGs (and a participating member of the IATT sub-groups on the Online Platform, Mapping Exercise, Capacity Building, and co-established the sub-group on Gender and STI.

WIPO is also a member of the IACG on SIDS, and the IDTF on LDCs.

In the context of inter-agency cooperation in supporting implementation of the SDGs (in particular SDG 9 and SDG 5) WIPO developed a joint initiative with UNESCO and UN Women to explore strategic policy approaches to issues of gender and science, technology and innovation in the context of achieving progress under the SDGs. The joint initiative uses a series of expert discussions to focus on ways and means to close the gender gap throughout the cycle of science, technology and innovation, with a particular focus on promoting women within these sectors. The initiative builds on previous conversations and processes and includes expert dialogues and public discussions to focus on identifying practical steps that need to be taken now, and progressively over the next 14 years, with a view to improve the position of women and girls in STI, and achieve the relevant goals set by the SDGs by 2030. The main objectives of this initiative are to identify the best way forward, including the key challenges and opportunities to reaching the desired outcomes.

 

 

6. How has your organization engaged with stakeholder groups, both in supporting implementation at the country, regional and global levels, and within your own organization? If yes, please provide main highlights, including any lessons learned:

 

WIPO contributes to the innovation ecosystem through a number of multi-stakeholder partnership programs that are relevant to the SDGs, mainly:

- WIPO Re:Search, a Consortium which catalyzes the development of medical products for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), malaria, and tuberculosis through innovative research partnerships and knowledge sharing among the leading pharmaceutical companies and other private and public sector research institutions.

- WIPO Green, which promotes innovation and diffusion of green technologies by connecting technology and service providers with those seeking innovative solutions, thus helping to accelerate innovation and diffusion of environmentally sustainable technologies and contributing to the efforts in addressing climate change.

- The Accessible Books Consortium (ABC), which is a private/public partnership aiming to increase the number of books worldwide in accessible formats - such as braille, audio, e-text, large print - to people who are blind, have low vision or are otherwise print disabled. It includes organizations that represent people with print disabilities such as the World Blind Union (WBU); libraries for the blind; standards bodies, and organizations representing authors, publishers and collective management organizations.

 

 

7. Has your organization organized any conferences, forums or events designed to facilitate exchange of experience, peer and mutual learning? If yes, please provide a brief summary below and include lessons learned and gaps identified based on the outcomes of these events. Please also include any events you plan to organize in the coming years.

 

Several activities have been Organized by WIPO recently which aim to promote the role and impact of innovation (SDG 9) with regard to various challenges related to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), to health (SDG 3), to education and economic growth (SDGs 4 and 8), to food security and to gender equality (SDG 2 and 5).

In connection with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), a Forum "Innovate for Water" was organized by WIPO in Geneva from June 7 to 9, 2017, The forum aimed to promote the transfer of innovative water technologies and innovative business models in emerging markets and developing countries, and to foster interactions and dialogue between various water stakeholders, build networks, and raise awareness about water issues.

In connection with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), two events organized in 2017 could be mentioned:

- A seminar on innovation and access to vaccines was organized by WIPO in Geneva on November 8, 2017, in collaboration with Access to Medicine Foundation and the World Health Organization (WHO). The seminar considered the challenge of reaching global immunization coverage through increasing access to current and future vaccines. It examined the role of biopharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers, looked at how the vaccine market works, explored the role of product development partnerships in the field, and discussed the Access to Vaccines Index published by the Access to Medicine Foundation;

- WIPO and the research-based pharmaceutical industry launched a new partnership - "Pat-INFORMED" - to promote the accessibility of patent information for health agencies tasked with procurement of medicines. This initiative will link public patent information to registered medicines in a new online global gateway, helping health professionals to navigate the medicine-procurement process for the benefit of their citizens.

With regard to SDG 4 (Quality Education), WIPO organized in November 2017, in Yaoundé, Cameroun, a High-level Regional Conference on publishing Industry in Africa and its role in Education and Development. The objective was to prepare an action plan to promote African publishing industry, with a focus on the education sector. The action plan would focus on the role of copyright in developing a sustainable national publishing industry that provides access to quality educational material in Africa.

In relation with SDGs 1, 2, 5, 8, and 9, WIPO organized in Morocco, in November 2017, a regional Forum on "Innovation and Intellectual Property as Engines for Competitive Agribusiness: Empowering Women Researchers and Entrepreneurs in Africa". The Forum was an opportunity for African women researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs and IP experts to discuss how science, technology and innovation can foster the implementation of the SDGs, particularly those related to hunger, poverty, gender equality, economic growth, and innovation and how they can crucially contribute to food and nutritional security in Africa by increasing agricultural productivity, competitiveness, wealth creation, resilience and sustainability.

 

 

8. Is there any other information you would like to share, including annual reports of your organization and any impact assessment or evaluation reports? If yes, please use the space below and attach the document(s). Please also use this space to provide any other information, comments or remarks you deem necessary:

On February 9, 2017, the Director General held a briefing to the Ambassadors and the Permanent Representatives in Geneva on "WIPO and the SDGs" (attached, for reference).

 

9. In your view, what should a strategic plan for the UN system in support of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs look like? What key elements should it include and major challenges address in such a road map?

WIPO is reviewing the UN Secretary-General's report on the repositioning of the UN Development System to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, and is not yet in a position to provide any comments.

 

10. Please indicate one or two endeavor or initiatives you suggest that the UN system organizations could undertake together to support the implementation of the SDGs between now and 2030:

Relevant UN agencies should collaborate on activities that leverage innovation for the achievement of SDGs. UN agencies should assist member States to effectively use technologies for the implementation of SDGs.