IFPMA Statement at the closing of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi
At the end of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, Thomas Cueni, IFPMA Director-General said:
“After much prolonged discussion, WTO Members at the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Conference did not agree to extend the TRIPS waiver for COVID-19 vaccines to cover therapeutics and diagnostics.
“Intellectual Property is a critical enabler for the development of medicines and vaccines. It has also given companies the confidence to engage and has enabled more than 177 voluntary collaborations, including technology transfer initiatives on COVID-19 therapeutics alone.
“We encourage WTO Members to now focus on a comprehensive trade and health agenda, such as removing export restrictions, promoting trade facilitation and regulatory convergence. We look forward to continued engagement on these important issues.”
About IFPMA
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) represents over 90 innovative pharmaceutical companies and associations around the world. Our industry’s almost three million employees discover, develop, and deliver medicines and vaccines that advance global health. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community improve the lives of people everywhere. For more information, visit ifpma.org.
Learn more
Related news and resources
February 2024: Impact of a waiver of intellectual property rights for COVID-19 therapeutics
As discussions on an extension of a waiver of intellectual property (IP) rights on COVID-19 therapeutics continue, latest evidence and data published today explains what the adverse impact of a waiver may be on the entire innovation ecosystem and the consequences it may have on industry’s ability to fight future pandemics.
Read more
WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi is an opportunity to strengthen trade and health agenda
On 23 February, ahead of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, IFPMA and member associations from 10 countries issued a joint statement calling on trade ministers to commit to a comprehensive trade and health agenda that will strengthen the innovation ecosystem, remove trade barriers, promote trade facilitation, strengthen regulatory systems, and address under-resourced healthcare infrastructure.
Read more6th Meeting of the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005)
On 7 December, IFPMA submitted a statement to the 6th Meeting of the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), happening in Geneva, Switzerland.
Read more