GENEVA (Reuters) – The four main parties involved in the intellectual property exemption negotiations for Covid-19 vaccines are preparing a “final document” for approval by other members, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Tuesday. The head of the organization said he expects a final agreement by June.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been working for months to reach a compromise between the United States, the European Union, India and the United States, who has made immunization equality a top priority since taking office in 2021. Breaking an 18-month stalemate.
“The purpose of the discussions was to find something viable,” Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters, adding that he expects 164 WTO members to finalize and approve the proposal at a major conference in June. “This is extremely important for the next pandemic or this epidemic,” he said.
One point still open in the draft is the duration of the patent exemption application, which can be three or five years.
Okonjo-Iweala said recent talks have focused on building broader support for the agreement, including from China.
He said it was “positive” for Beijing to be recognized as a developed country in this agreement, and therefore is subject to stricter rules.
The Chinese WTO mission in Geneva did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reported by Emma Farge)
source: Noticias
