VZCZCXRO3631
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHGV #0973 3231307
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181307Z NOV 08
FM USMISSION GENEVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7473
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS GENEVA 000973
SIPDIS
STATE PASS PTO-Paul Salmon
DEPT PASS TO USDOC-HILLEARY SMITH
DEPT PASS TO IO; EB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON KIPR
SUBJECT: WIPO DG GURRY OUTLINES REFORM PLANS
1. SUMMARY: The new WIPO DG is addressing the challenges facing
WIPO and trying to improve the functioning of the organization, in
particular by trying to break the deadlock on substantive issues
before WIPO Committees and using the budget process to realign
WIPO's organizational structure. END SUMMARY.
2. We met with Director General to the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) Francis Gurry and WIPO Legal Advisor Edward
Kwakwa on November 17, 2008. DG Gurry assumed his new post at WIPO
on October 1, 2008, marking a new direction for the organization on
good governance and respect for intellectual property. DG Gurry
commented that several of the committees in WIPO have not moved
forward on a work plan for many years because of political impasses
on various issues, such as in the Standing Committee on Patents, the
Intergovernmental Committee on traditional knowledge and cultural
expressions and genetic resources, and the Standing Committee on
Copyright and Related Rights.
3. In order to find a way forward, DG Gurry is suggesting that
Member States consider reaching an agreement on a package of
outstanding issues before these committees. He reiterated that this
would be a Member State-driven process, fully scoped by Members, and
if consensus is not reached on the package, an agreement would not
be made. DG Gurry plans to hold an Ambassador-level meeting with
regional coordinators and the General Assembly chair (Nigeria) to
discuss this issue on November 25.
4. DG Gurry also discussed the need to realign the organization so
that it can effectively fulfill its mandate. A process has been
underway to redefine strategic goals and redistribution of
personnel. DG Gurry has requested a revised program and budget
structure for WIPO in several business units, especially in the area
of the Development Agenda, which has been an important aspect of
work in WIPO on the interface of IP and developing and
least-developed country priorities. DG Gurry stated that adoption
of the revised budget by Member States will be essential for him to
have successful implementation of the Development Agenda, as the
proposal will eliminate duplication on WIPO's development-related
activities, which currently exists, and enable efficient deployment
of available resources. DG Gurry will present his revised program
and budget report for 2008/2009 before the WIPO Membership on
December 10-11, 2008.
TICHENOR