15 June 2012: (This communiqué is released jointly with the Australian Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization)
Australia and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) today signed an agreement detailing how an AUD$2 million Australian contribution would assist least-developed and developing countries improve their intellectual property systems.
Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization, Tim Yeend, said Australia’s contribution built upon existing cooperation between WIPO and IP Australia in relation to the provision of IP-related technical assistance and capacity building in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Australia’s contribution demonstrates its commitment to assisting least-developed and developing countries to promote and protect their creativity and innovation through the intellectual property system,” he said.
The memorandum of understanding identifies four areas for funding: developing intellectual property systems; promoting technology transfer; addressing neglected tropical diseases and ensuring persons with print disabilities have equal access to published works as persons without print disabilities.
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