Thread by @CoppetainPU

A formal meeting of the WTO intellectual property (TRIPS) council this afternoon heard reports from an attempt by four members (EU, India, SAfrica, US) to break the deadlock over waiving the obligation to protect some intellectual property for COVID-19 (the #TRIPSwaiver)

1/10

WTO deputy head @_AnabelG who is coordinating (with DG @NOIweala) with the group of 4 said the talks have been difficult but she hoped a compromise could be possible.

One approach explored is to separate vaccines from diagnostics and therapeutics. (Why? Explained in 9/10)

2/10

The EU—said it was looking for a bridge between waiver-advocates and its own position to make flexibilities in WTO rules as easy to use.

The US—repeated its broad support for the waiver (but so far with no specifics), and that it is working with members to find a solution

3/10

SAfrica—agreed that small group consultations have been useful, and said delay in approving the waiver is hampering efforts to diversify production. Refers to mRNA hub (more below)

India—said it has engaged constructively and remains committed to finding a solution.

4/10

Others—generally appreciated the efforts and asked to be kept informed

Switzerland—criticised the talks among the 4, for failing to be inclusive, transparent with regular reporting to members

(Note this is similar to India and SAfrica objections to plurilaterals!)

5/10

UK—similar to Switzerland: any outcome has to be agreed by consensus among the full membership.

Council chair Ambassador Dagfinn Sørli of Norway also reported on his consultations on Feb 9.

6/10

The main business today was to agree a report to the General Council (meeting tomorrow and Thursday), accompanying a request to extend the discussion another 90 days.

This is needed under WTO rules on waivers, Article 9.3 of the WTO Agreement

7/10 wto.org/english/docs_e…

The next full-agenda intellectual property council meeting is Mar 9–10

See also this thread

8/10

https://twitter.com/FilesGeneva/status/1496180718774505474?s=20&t=UJxaw8lL9oHrmFKSFY9zeg

NEW: Why are WTO members deadlocked over the proposed waiver? What are they saying?

It's not just whether to accept or reject the waiver. If only it were that simple.

Compiled from minutes and accounts from officials.

9/10 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2022/02/22/8-r…

ALSO NEW: WHO’s African ‘hub-and-spokes’ vaccine technology set-up, from news that broke late last week.

Added to the mRNA research and development hub in Cape Town are production spokes in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia

10/10 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/who-african-hu…