Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) were due to agree by 17 December whether to extend the agreement on the flexibility of intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines (‘TRIPS waiver’) to treatments and diagnostic tools (see EUROPE 13088/20). In the absence of an agreement, they met at the beginning of March to decide on a new deadline before deciding on the extension. They failed again to find a date at their meeting on 6-7 March in Geneva.
The President of the General Council, Didier Chambovey (Swiss), noted that more time was needed for members to decide. The issue will therefore remain on the agenda of the General Council, but also on the agenda of the TRIPS Council for the coming weeks and months. Members will have to inform the WTO of the internal consultation processes in their country.
The US, for example, noted at the meeting that it expects a report on the issue of intellectual property for Covid-19 vaccines, diagnostics and treatment tools on 17 October.
Some WTO members, who support the extension of the TRIPS waiver, regretted the inability of delegations to take a decision on this issue. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)