CANADA: COUNTERING ANTI-IP PROPOSALS AT WORLD

UNCLAS OTTAWA 003447 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EB AND IO USTR FOR SULLIVAN AND GARDE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CA ECON ETRD KIPR WTRO SUBJECT: CANADA: COUNTERING ANTI-IP PROPOSALS AT WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION INTER-GOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP MEETING REF: SECSTATE 187542 ¶1. (sbu) Econcouns delivered reftel points on countering World Health Organization (WHO) Secretariat forays into intellectual property issues to Department of Interational Trade Intellectual Property Director Doug George and Senior Trade Policy Advisor Julie Boisvert. George had little immediate comment except to say that Canada shared the USG's view that the WHO Secretariat should stay within its technical competence on trade and intellectual property matters. George added that Canada is cautious about taking actions that might undermine existing IP agreements and would look into what the Secretariat might be doing. That said, he also commented that necessary health research and development does not always happen if left to market forces. ¶2. (sbu) George suggested that the U.S. and Canadian missions in Geneva coordinate their positions ahead of the WHO Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) meeting on December 4-8. To help the Canadian delegation prepare, George requested more details on specific concerns that the USG might have regarding the IGWG. In the meantime, George said he would share the USG points with Canada's Health and Industry Ministries, as well as Canada's mission in Geneva. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS