Cape Verde Signs Treaty on Intellectual Property Relating to Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge
Cape Verde signed a historic WIPO treaty that requires disclosure of the origin of genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in inventions. The signing marks the end of 25 years of intensive negotiations.
On July 8, Cape Verde took a significant step by signing the Treaty on Intellectual Property relating to Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge associated with Genetic Resources. The signing was carried out by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador and Representative of Cape Verde to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Clara Delgado Jesus.
The event took place at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in the presence of the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Energy, Alexandre Dias Monteiro, and the Director General of WIPO, Daren Tang.
This treaty, which was adopted at the end of the Diplomatic Conference held in Geneva, from May 13 to 24, 2024, marks a new era of recognition and protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
For the first time, WIPO member countries have agreed that patent applicants whose inventions are based on genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge must disclose the country of origin, the original source of these resources and which indigenous peoples or local communities provided the traditional knowledge used. in research.
It is important to highlight that negotiations for the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge lasted 25 years, reflecting the complexity and importance of this historic agreement.
This signature represents a milestone for Cape Verde and for the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge globally.
