CIAT together with several key regional partners, conducted a workshop on “Intellectual Property, and Agricultural Research and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Towards a Platform for Exchange and Learning”. It was held at the Center’s headquarters in Palmira, Colombia, from 2 to 4 November 2010.

 The goals of this initiative were to encourage the region’s agricultural research and development (R&D) organizations to improve their coordination and knowledge of intellectual property, and increase the diffusion of positive experiences, based on a common approach and shared models.

 The workshop was developed as four modules, using a case study approach in which needs and opportunities were evaluated for future action in the region. The modules were as follows:

1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (ITPGR) and the use of the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA).
2. Open access.
3. Public-private alliances and technology transfer.
4. Systems for the protection of plant varieties.

The invitation was directed at professionals who coordinate the theme of intellectual property in public agricultural research institutes and the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event’s co-organizers were: University of Costa Rica, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), its Spanish acronym), Specialized Network Corporation of Centers for the Technological Research and Development of the Colombian Agricultural Sector (CENIRED, its Spanish acronym), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT, its Spanish acronym), The Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture (PIPRA), and the Public Interest Intellectual Property Advisors,Inc. (PIIPA).

 Download the Workshop Brochure (in Spanish)

Detailed Workshop Agenda

Contact:
Partha Mudgil, Intellectual Property Officer: p.s.mudgil@cgiar.org
Katherine Tehelen, Event Coordinator: k.tehelen@cgiar.org