Joint Statement under Agenda Item 6: Draft Terms of Reference of the 2021 Evaluation of WIPO External Offices delivered by Mr. Gaurav Kumar Thakur, Counsellor [WO/PBC/38/5]

          India is making this joint statement on behalf of [Colombia, Iran, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, UAE and India], who have expressed interest in opening of external offices of WIPO in their countries.

2. The question of establishing additional WIPO External Offices has remained under active consideration since the 51^st session of the WIPO General Assembly in 2019, when member states agreed to defer a decision on opening new External Offices, pending a comprehensive evaluation of the existing Offices by 2021. The Terms of Reference for this evaluation, however, remain unresolved as on today, despite extensive deliberations.

3. WIPO External Offices have demonstrated their value as vital conduits between WIPO’s expertise and the unique needs and priorities of Member States. By operating in close proximity to the relevant stakeholders, these Offices have the ability to cultivate a nuanced understanding of local contexts, cultures, and languages and interweave them in the development of IP in those countries. The proximity to local innovation ecosystem also enables them to foster robust partnerships with both public and private actors, thereby enhancing WIPO’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging policy developments, and to capitalize on opportunities for development of IP.

4. External Offices deliver essential, cost-effective support services in relation to the PCT, Madrid, and Hague systems, as well as in the areas of arbitration and mediation. In this capacity, they serve as catalysts for the implementation of WIPO’s mandate, including the Development Agenda, and for the enhancement of intellectual property knowledge and capacity in the host country.

5. It is imperative to recognize External Offices not just as expenditures, but as strategic investments in the future of IP and revenue from IP filings.

6. As is the practice in other Geneva-based IOs, it is both timely and appropriate for WIPO to be empowered by its Member States to establish as many External Offices as necessary, to fulfil its mandate.

7. While the evaluation of existing External Offices remains an important undertaking, it should not serve as a precondition that impedes timely decision-making regarding the establishment of new Offices.

8. We therefore call upon all Member States to de-link the issue of finalization of the Terms of Reference for the evaluation of existing External Offices with the proposal to open new EOs, thereby enabling WIPO to respond to longstanding requests from countries on the establishment of new External Offices, without further delay.

Thank you,