Members review WTO-wide discussions on technology transfer to developing economies

Chairs of the Council for Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), the Committee on Trade and Environment and the Committee on Agriculture briefed members on relevant discussions in their respective bodies. Members said the updates helped provide an overview of how technology-transfer issues are evolving across the organization and supported efforts to ensure coherence in this area.

The Chair reported on informal consultations held earlier in the year to gather members' views on structuring the Group's future work. Delegations underlined the importance of technology transfer for development, including in areas such as productive capacity, climate resilience and digital inclusion. While views varied on possible outcomes for MC14, members expressed interest in continuing structured exchanges, including beyond the Ministerial Conference.

The WTO Secretariat is preparing a mapping of discussions related to technology transfer across WTO bodies. The Chair has requested the Secretariat to present this work at the Group's next formal meeting in 2026.

Background

The Working Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology was established at the Doha Ministerial Conference in 2001. Its mandate is to examine the relationship between trade and technology transfer and consider steps within the WTO mandate to increase technology flows to developing economies.