Developing countries push WIPO 20‑year agenda review, US opposes

Developing countries pushed for a sweeping assessment of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Development Agenda as the 36th session of the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) concluded in Geneva. The proceedings, which took place from 4 to 8 May 2026, saw a coalition of nations advocate for a structural review of the agenda’s impact over the last two decades. This effort met with firm opposition from the United States, which argued that such an assessment would duplicate existing work.

The Case for a Retrospective Review

The African Group, represented by South Africa, initiated the call for a report ahead of the 2027 anniversary of the Development Agenda. The group requested that the Secretariat prepare an exceptional Director General's report that would highlight the history and the evolution of the DA over the years, detail major shortcomings and implementation difficulties, and identify potential gaps and propose meaningful solutions. Nigeria emphasized that the twenty-year mark represents a significant moment rather than a routine milestone, arguing that standard annual reports are insufficient. In response to U.S. Concerns regarding duplication, the Nigerian delegation stated:

"Madam Chair, you cannot duplicate a document that has never been written."

Support for the proposal spanned several regions, including the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries (GRULAC), the Asia-Pacific Group, and the Central Asian, Caucasus and Eastern European Countries (CACEEC). Individual nations such as China, Iran, Indonesia, and Brazil also backed the request. The Russian Federation, representing CACEEC, noted that the anniversary is an important milestone which they would do well to use as an analytic tool.

Clashing Views on WIPO’s Mandate

The debate over the report prompted a wider disagreement regarding the core institutional purpose of WIPO. The United States escalated its opposition, asserting that WIPO had egregiously overstepped its mandate by incorporating SDG implementation into its workstreams. The U.S. Delegation indicated that it would no longer reaffirm the Sustainable Development Goals as a matter of course and warned it would scrutinize the financial resources devoted to these development-oriented workstreams. The U.S. Delegation asserted:

"The United States objects to the characterization of WIPO as a Development Agency... development is not WIPO’s core focus or mandate."

Developing nations countered by highlighting the institutional obligations of WIPO. Brazil reminded the committee that the international intellectual property system should not be limited to minimum standards of protection and enforcement of IP rights but also contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer of technology in a manner conducive to social and economic and also environmental development. Iran said that the Development Agenda was conceived not as a standard exercise but as a framework to ensure that the international Intellectual Property system contributes meaningfully to inclusive and balanced development, while Indonesia demanded that WIPO’s technical assistance be demand driven, strategically coherent, need-based and oriented toward measurable developmental impact. Dominica pointed to the vulnerabilities of nations facing climate-related disasters, stressing that a balanced approach to IP is essential for equitable participation.

Critiques from External Observers

The South Centre reported that a small number of member states continue to block progress on IP and development, prioritising commercial IP interests over balanced policymaking. It reported that WIPO’s technical assistance remains supply-driven and noted that not a single Development Agenda project has been approved to facilitate use of TRIPS flexibilities for health, education, or food security. The organization called for the CDIP to establish time-bound milestones for implementing the recommendations of independent reviews.

Procedural Outcome and Next Steps

Following intense informal consultations to break the deadlock on the future work program, the committee agreed to a procedural compromise. Under the final summary by the Chair, it was decided that the African Group will formally submit a written proposal for the 20th anniversary Director General's report in advance of the 37th session, guaranteeing that this critical battle over WIPO's development mandate will resume at the next Committee meeting.