No: 052/PR/VI/2012/53
The International Symposium on “Ensuring Protection for GRTKF through the Creation of Database” (the Symposium), organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, will be held in Bali, Indonesia on 26 June 2012. The Symposium is designed as a Preparatory Meeting of the 3rd Session of Like Minded Countries Meeting (The 3rd LMCM) on the Protection of Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions/Folklore (GRTKTCE/F). The 3rd LMCM is a continuation of the Indonesian hosted 1st LMCM in 2009 and 2nd LMCM in 2011.
As highlighted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa, in his annual press statement on 4 January 2012, the protection of GRTKTCE/F is assigned as one of Indonesian key diplomacy targets. In line with the Minister’s statement, the protection of GRTKTCE/F is highlighted as the main theme of the Symposium in order to elevate Indonesian domestic efforts and strategies in formulating defensive protection regime. One of which is through the establishment of national database. A national database, which is expected to incorporate each type/form of GRTKTCE/F within the Indonesia’s jurisdiction, is directed to be a complementary measure to the positive protection regime on GRTKTCE/F both in national and international stage.
At the international level, the Government of Indonesia has been playing a central role in creating international legal instruments to protect GRTKTCE/F through its active participation in a number of United Nations agencies and international organizations, namely World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Trade Organization (WTO), and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The appointment of Indonesia as the Co-Vice Chair of Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) in WIPO for biennium 2011-2013 has portrayed the country’s active role within the IGC WIPO, particularly to bridge differing interests between developing countries and their developed partners on establishing international legal instruments on GRTKTCE/F. The holding of the 1st and 2nd LMCM in Indonesia, which led to the creation of “The Bali Recommendations” in 2011, have also supported Indonesia’s imminent role in the global stage as an emerging economy that upholds the legal protection on GRTKTCE/F.
At the domestic level, the Indonesian Government consistently puts forward the urgent need to formulate laws or regulations that could give utmost and effective protection of GRTKTCE/F, particularly by the database creation.
The first ever Indonesian held International Symposium on GRTKTCE/F, which showcases the Indonesian Government’s commitment to comprehensively address GRTKTCE/F, aims to be an eye opening experience forum to multi stakeholders.
The Symposium aims to reach common understanding among related stakeholders on the importance of GRTKTCE/F defensive protection. Exchange of lessons learned and best practices on defensive protection by database experts will enrich the discussion in the forthcoming Symposium.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Wardana, will inaugurate the Symposium’s opening session. The Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, H.E. Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu, will deliver her special presentation in the aforementioned session.
Prominent speakers from WIPO, South Centre, and the Indian Traditional Knowledge Digital Library as well as national eminent speakers are scheduled to participate in the Symposium. Key persons representing Government, industry, IPRs experts and academics will participate in the Symposium. Whereas, Jakarta based foreign diplomats and officers from related United Nations agencies as well as other international organizations are invited to participate in the Symposium.
(source: Directorate for Economic and Socio-Cultural Treaties)