The African Regional Intellectual
Property Organization (ARIPO) and the Government of the Republic of Ghana, in
collaboration with the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties
of Plants (UPOV), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO),
successfully hosted a pivotal workshop focused on “Plant Variety Protection for
Sustainable Agricultural Development and Food Security in the Context of
Climate Change.” The event took place from June 19 to 21, 2024 in Accra,
drawing participants from various sectors including government officials,
agricultural experts, researchers, and stakeholders in intellectual property
rights.
The workshop was officially
inaugurated by Honourable Diana Asonaba Dapaah, Deputy Minister of Justice of
the Republic of Ghana. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the critical role
that plant variety protection plays in enhancing agricultural productivity and
ensuring food security amid the challenges posed by climate change.
Honourable Dapaah highlighted
Ghana’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to agricultural
innovation through effective intellectual property laws. She noted that
protecting plant varieties is essential for encouraging research and development
in agriculture, which can lead to improved crop resilience against
climate-related stresses.
Honourable Dapaah expressed her
appreciation for ARIPO’s significant initiative and its commendable role in
building capacity for Member States in Africa. She acknowledged the
indispensable role of intellectual property rights in all industries and specifically
praised ARIPO as a strong advocate for improving #agriculture in Africa by
utilizing the intellectual property system to motivate breeders to continue
developing new plant varieties.
Speaking during the opening
ceremony, the ARIPO Director General, Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, highlighted the
value of embracing PVP and breeders' rights in the face of climate change,
given the vast arable land on the African continent, amongst other enabling
factors. He summarised the benefits of the same as enshrined in the Arusha
Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, which comes into force
in November 2024.
This workshop presented an
important opportunity for ARIPO Member States to engage in dialogue on PVP’s
role in promoting sustainable agricultural development, food security, and
climate change resilience. By driving innovation in plant breeding for a more
secure and sustainable future, ARIPO is enthusiastic about the future of plant
breeders' IP rights in Africa.
The workshop aimed to provide a
platform for knowledge sharing on best practices related to plant variety
protection (PVP) and its implications for sustainable agricultural development.
Participants engaged in discussions about how PVP can be leveraged as a tool
for enhancing food security while addressing environmental challenges.
Experts from UPOV presented
insights into global trends in plant variety protection and shared experiences
from various countries that have successfully implemented PVP systems. A
significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to discussing how effective
plant variety protection can contribute to climate change adaptation
strategies.
The ARIPO Regional Workshop
concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders involved in agriculture
and intellectual property rights. Participants agreed on the need for continued
dialogue and collaboration among governments, researchers, farmers’ organizations,
and private sector players.
The workshop not only served as a
vital forum for exchanging ideas but also reinforced the collective commitment
towards achieving sustainable agricultural development across Africa amidst
ongoing climate challenges.