January 2024
Contracting Parties shall cooperate to develop and strengthen a global information system to facilitate the exchange of information, based on existing information systems , on scientific, technical and environmental matters related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Article 17, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
February 2024
Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, are disrupting intellectual property rights systems at national, regional, and international levels. For example, AI challenges traditional notions of authorship and inventorship, raising questions about whether creations generated by machines can or should be eligible for copyright protection. Meanwhile, blockchain technology is transforming the way intellectual property is managed, enabling secure and transparent tracking of ownership, licensing, and usage rights across borders. These technologies not only demand a rethinking of existing legal frameworks but also present opportunities to make intellectual property systems more inclusive, and adaptive to the realities of the digital age. As innovation accelerates, policymakers must navigate these changes to ensure that IP systems remain relevant and equitable.
Flora IP.
March 2024
Inspire Inclusion and help drive progress for women’s equality. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
International Women’s Day.
April 2024
Intellectual Property and the Sustainable Development Goals: Building our common future with innovation and creativity
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): World IP Day 2024.
May 2024
The Multilateral System is the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture’s (ITPGRFA) truly innovative solution to access and benefit-sharing. It includes 64 of the world’s most important crops. These are crops that together account for 80 percent of all human consumption derived from plants. On joining the ITPGRFA, countries agree to make their genetic diversity and related information about the crops stored in their public gene banks available to all through the Multilateral System. The Multilateral System provides opportunities for both developing and developed countries that share technical know-how to use their materials and laboratories to build on what farmers have accomplished in their fields.
Articles 10 – 13, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
June 2024
Balancing intellectual property protection with public access to knowledge and essential goods, such as medicines, is a complex global issue. While robust IP rights incentivise innovation by rewarding creators and investors, they can also create barriers to affordability and accessibility, particularly in low-income regions. Achieving this balance requires a multifaceted approach—leveraging legal mechanisms like compulsory licensing, promoting global cooperation through frameworks like the Doha Declaration, and fostering innovative models such as public-private partnerships and open science.
Flora IP.
July 2024
My vision for the future of the Treaty (International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture) is to have it as a universal instrument, which means that all countries in the world would have joined the Treaty, given the fact that it deals with an issue of concern to all of humanity. I also hope that we are able to mobilise enough resources to fulfill all the objectives of the Treaty. I envision the future of the Treaty as a pivotal instrument in global food security, driving innovation in sustainable agriculture through enhanced conservation and equitable use of plant genetic resources, while fostering stronger international cooperation and resilience to climate change.
Kent Nnadozie, Secretary, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
August 2024
Agriculture in the 21st century faces multiple challenges: it has to produce more food and fibre to feed a growing population with a smaller rural labour force, more feedstocks for a potentially huge bioenergy market, contribute to overall development in the many agriculture-dependent developing countries, adopt more efficient and sustainable production methods and adapt to climate change.
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
October 2024
Our food systems cannot be resilient if they are not sustainable, hence the need to focus on the adoption of integrated approaches designed to reduce food loss and waste. Actions are required globally and locally to maximise the use of the food we produce. The introduction of technologies, innovative solutions (including e-commerce platforms for marketing, retractable mobile food processing systems), new ways of working and good practices to manage food quality and reduce food loss and waste are key to implementing this transformative change.
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
November 2024
The world’s farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population yet, hunger persists. Around 733 million people are facing hunger in the world due to repeated weather shocks, conflicts, economic downturns, inequality, and the pandemic. This impacts the poor and vulnerable most severely, many of whom are agricultural households, reflecting widening inequalities across and within countries.
Food is the third most basic human need after air and water – everyone should have the right to adequate food. Human rights such as the right to food, life and liberty, work and education are recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and two legally binding international covenants.
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
December 2024
While the digital age has revolutionised creativity and innovation, it has also made it significantly easier to infringe intellectual property rights on a global scale. The rapid dissemination of digital content, coupled with advancements in technology, has outpaced many existing legal frameworks, leaving gaps in protection and enforcement. In many countries, limited resources, weak institutional capacity, and a lack of public awareness about intellectual property exacerbate the challenge. Counterfeit goods, digital piracy, and unauthorised use of protected works thrive in such environments, undermining the incentives for innovation and creativity. Addressing these issues requires not only effective laws and enforcement mechanisms but also comprehensive education and international collaboration to create a culture of respect for intellectual property rights in the digital era.
Flora IP.
