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This report examines the potential for integrating disclosure requirements into the global intellectual property (IP) system to ensure mutual supportiveness between the WTO TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It focuses on requiring patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, as well as providing evidence of prior informed consent (PIC) and benefit-sharing, to prevent 'biopiracy' and ensure equitable returns to provider countries and indigenous communities.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes draft provisions for the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions/folklore against misappropriation, specifically within the context of the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Intergovernmental Committee (IGC). The document argues that current draft provisions lack sufficient focus on the intellectual property (IP) system, which is where misappropriation primarily occurs. It advocates for a legally binding international instrument and specific IP-related measures—such as disclosure requirements and stricter patentability criteria—to prevent the illegitimate granting of IP rights over TK.

This briefing from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) proposes alternative methods for calculating member country contributions to its Core Budget, comparing the current Organization of the American States (OAS) scale against United Nations (UN) and International Council for Science (ICSU) scales.

This policy brief analyzes the principle of Prior Informed Consent (PIC) within the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the TRIPS Agreement. It argues that mandatory international disclosure requirements for PIC in patent applications are necessary to prevent the misappropriation of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, ensuring a more equitable intellectual property system.

The Executive Directorate report of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), covering July 2004 to May 2005, details the transition between Directors Gustavo V. Necco and John W. B. Stewart. The report emphasizes a strategic shift toward increasing regional relevance by bridging the gap between scientific excellence and practical policy application, while outlining administrative updates, the status of research networks (CRN-I and CRN-II), and the execution of capacity-building institutes in Mexico and Costa Rica.

The Report of the CRN-I Program details the outcomes of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research's (IAI) Collaborative Research Network (CRN) program, which operated from 1999 to 2003. The program invested approximately US$10 million across 14 grants to foster multidisciplinary, international research networks focused on global change phenomena in the Americas, with a strong emphasis on scientific capacity building and policy relevance.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) presents its Core Budget Request for the 2005-2006 fiscal year, proposing a total budget of $1,012,405. This represents a net increase of $74,086 over the previous year's expenses, driven primarily by rising personnel costs and inflation in Brazil.

Minutes from the 19th Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 29-30, 2004. The meeting covered scientific program updates, financial reports, administrative challenges regarding local staff in Brazil, and the announcement of the Executive Director's resignation.

The report analyzes the impact of bilateral trade agreements on copyright and access to knowledge, noting that agreements involving the U.S. often impose protections (such as 70-year terms and anti-circumvention of TPMs) that exceed multilateral standards. It also summarizes IP disputes in the WTO regarding pharmaceutical compulsory licensing and genetic resource disclosure, as well as tensions at WIPO over the Substantive Patent Law Treaty.

This briefing paper by Friends of the Earth International argues that the US government is implementing a policy to make the contamination of the food supply with experimental genetically modified (GM) crops 'acceptable.' The document details the risks of such contamination, the lack of rigorous regulation for field trials, and the potential for these traits to spread globally through US food exports.

This 2004 report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) argues that environmental rights are fundamental human rights, essential for survival, health, and dignity. It documents numerous global case studies where neoliberal economic globalization and corporate activities have led to the violation of these rights, including the displacement of indigenous peoples, toxic pollution, and the privatization of water. The document advocates for a framework of environmental justice, the recognition of new rights for climate refugees, and the enforcement of corporate accountability through legal mechanisms and international norms.

The action list from the first day of the Eleventh Meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP) on June 30, 2004, details the election of the Bureau, agenda modifications, and the accreditation of 16 member delegations.

The Action List from the Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 30 and July 2, 2004, records the administrative and governance decisions made by the member countries. Key outcomes include the election of the Bureau and Executive Committee, approval of the 2004/2005 Annual Program and budget, and the establishment of a recruitment process for the IAI Director.

This document is a list of actions and decisions recorded during the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 30 and July 2, 2004.

This briefing outlines the actions taken during the first day (June 30, 2004) of the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI).

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research report for the 2003/04 fiscal year shows a positive balance of $48,494, with 94% of expected country contributions collected. The Institute achieved approximately $100,000 in savings against its approved budget, primarily through reduced salary and benefit costs. The report also details the winding down of the Collaborative Research Network and Small Grants Program I, and the launch of Small Grants Program II.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details activities from July 2003 to June 2004. It focuses on implementing six strategic goals related to research network growth, scientific agenda definition, capacity building in scientifically weaker countries, knowledge synthesis, dissemination of results, and increasing the institute's institutional profile.

The report details the activities of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate from July 2003 to June 2004. It focuses on improving institutional visibility, managing member state contributions, expanding international partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding, and implementing capacity-building training institutes across the Americas.

This report provides a chronological summary of the first decade of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), from its establishment in 1992 to 2002. It details the institute's institutional structure, the evolution of its Science Agenda, and the various funding programs—including Start-up Grants, Initial Science Programs, and Collaborative Research Networks—designed to build scientific capacity and promote multinational research on global environmental changes across the Americas.

This report documents the first decade of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), covering its institutional development, scientific agenda, and research programs from 1992 to 2002. It details the transition from a conceptual phase to an operational entity, the establishment of its headquarters in Brazil, and the implementation of various grant programs and cooperative research networks aimed at understanding environmental changes across the Americas.