Click here for the archives of the online discussion of the Access to Knowledge (A2K) proposal

On October 4, 2004, the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization agreed to adopt a proposal offered by Argentina and Brazil, the "Proposal for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for WIPO" (sometimes referred to as "Item 12" because of its placement listing on the meeting's agenda). This proposal was strongly supported by developing countries, as well as by a large contingent of civil society. Prior to the General Assembly meeting, hundreds of nonprofits, scientists, academics and other individuals had signed the "Geneva Declaration on the Future of WIPO," which calls on WIPO to focus more on the needs of developing countries, and to view IP as one of many tools for development - not as an end in itself.

The Geneva Declaration on the Future of WIPO is posted below in six languages. Signatures are still being accepted. If you are willing to sign this document, send an email to: geneva_declaration@cptech.org Please indicate how you would like your signature to be listed.

• ENGLISH, in PDF, html and MS Word formats.
• FRENCH, in PDF, html, and MS Word formats.
• SPANISH, in PDF and rtf formats. Thanks to Sofía Beltrán and Phol Páucar from Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility - Peru for the translation.
• GREEK, in MS Word and PDF formats. Thanks to Claudine Xenidou-Dervou and Anna Fragkau from the Hellenic Academic Libraries Link for the translation.
• ITALIAN, in html format. Thanks to Andrea Glorioso (from Media Innovation Unit - Firenze Tecnologia) and Nicola Larosa for the translation.
• ARABIC, in PDF and MS Word formats. Thanks to Marlyn Tadros from Virtual Activism for the translation.

• List of initial signatures

• Civil Society Documents
  • October 6, 2004. Consumers International. World Consumer Bodies Welcome WIPO Initiatives. (MS Word format)
  • October 4, 2004. Civil Society Coalition. Statement on WIPO Decision to Advance a Development Agenda
  • September, 2004. Martin Khor for the Third World Network. NGOs, Scientists and Academics Call for Major Reform of Intellectual Property System.
  • September 30, 2004. Ellen t' Hoen for Medecins Sans Frontieres. Statement by MSF at WIPO General Assembly.
  • September 29, 2004. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. The IFLA position on the Geneva Declaration on the Future of WIPO.

• WIPO Documents
  • General Assembly Decision on a Development Agenda.
  • Proposal by Argentina and Brazil for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for WIPO:
    • English version
    • French version
    • Spanish version

  • October 4, 2004. WIPO Press release. Member States Agree to Further Examine Proposal on Development.
  • October 1, 2004. Intervention by India on the discussion of the WIPO development agenda. Statement by Debabrata Saha, Deputy Permanent Representative of India.
  • September 30, 2004. Statement by the Delegation of Brazil on Item 12: Proposal for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for WIPO.
  • WIPO Convention (see Articles 3 and 4 in particular)
  • Agreement between the United Nations and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
  • Additional information in French.