WTO's "Very Constructive" Evaluation of Discussions on COVID-19 Vaccine Intellectual Property Waiver

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Amid growing attention surrounding the waiver of intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, the World Trade Organization (WTO), which continued discussions on the waiver on the 5th (local time), evaluated the talks as very constructive.

According to AFP, Keith Rockwell, WTO spokesperson, said at a press briefing held after the general assembly, "All parties share the same goal of increasing vaccine production and improving equity in distribution," adding that the atmosphere at the general assembly was much more constructive than in previous discussions. The general assembly will continue for two days until the 6th.

Discussions on the waiver of intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines had made little progress due to opposition from the United States and the European Union (EU), but gained momentum after the Biden administration expressed support for the waiver.

The WTO also added that India and South Africa, which proposed the COVID-19 intellectual property waiver, are expected to submit a new proposal next week. It further stated that a meeting to discuss the new proposal, originally scheduled for early next month, may be held around the end of this month.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also welcomed the news of the planned submission of a new proposal regarding the vaccine intellectual property waiver. She said, "If we can sit down with the actual document in front of us, I am confident we can find a practical solution acceptable to all."

She went on to emphasize the importance of equitable access to vaccines, calling it "a moral and economic issue of our time," and stressed, "As the world is watching, there is a need for urgency in responding to COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.