Indonesia pushes faster global rules to protect traditional knowledge

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is pushing for faster negotiations on an effective and balanced international legal instrument to protect traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, the Law Ministry said.

Representing Indonesia and the Like-Minded Countries (LMCs) group, ministry official Yasmon said the LMCs remained committed to constructive engagement to achieve a balanced international framework.

"This is intended to protect shared cultural heritage from misappropriation and misuse," Yasmon, director of Cooperation, Empowerment and Education at the Directorate General of Intellectual Property of Indonesia's Law Ministry, said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Monday.

He said LMC members welcomed the adoption in 2024 of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.

The LMCs, comprising developing countries that are WIPO members, support accelerated implementation of the treaty through international cooperation, technical assistance and capacity building for developing countries, he added.

The LMCs also support a consensus-based negotiating approach to expedite an agreement on protecting traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, he said.

Indonesia has demonstrated its active role in international intellectual property diplomacy through two statements at the 53rd session of WIPO's Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore in Geneva on Sept. 16.

Indonesia's participation in the WIPO IGC forum reflects the government's commitment to promoting the protection of communal intellectual property globally.

These efforts are important because traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions have both cultural and economic value that can support community welfare when properly managed and protected.

The government urged the public, Indigenous communities, cultural practitioners and other stakeholders to continue documenting and protecting their communal intellectual property.

Strong protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions is essential to prevent misuse, ensure recognition for the communities that own them, and preserve Indonesia's cultural heritage for future generations.

Further information on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions is available through Indonesia's Communal Intellectual Property database: https://kikomunal-indonesia.dgip.go.id.

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Translator: Agatha Olivia Victoria, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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