Pacific Islands Forum Countries Unite Ahead of WIPO General Assemblies; Samoa's Minister Fata Ryan Schuster Delivers Pacific Statement

Geneva, Switzerland, 8 July 2026 — Pacific Island Forum Countries convened a high-level coordination briefing at 1:00pm on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, in Geneva to prepare for the Sixty-Eighth Session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assemblies, held from 7 to 15 July 2026. The briefing brought together senior officials, technical experts, and representatives from regional organisations to consolidate Pacific priorities on intellectual property, Traditional Knowledge (TK), Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs), genetic resources, treaty ratification, and capacity building.

Delegates reaffirmed that the protection of TK and TCEs remains a long-standing regional priority, noting that "the work of the IGC is a longstanding regional priority, focusing on protecting traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions" and stressing the need to revive and implement Pacific model laws to avoid negotiating "in a vacuum."

The briefing also reviewed progress in WIPO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC), including the 2024 Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, and upcoming negotiations on TK/TCEs. Members highlighted the importance of coordinated regional engagement, strengthened national implementation, and sustained capacity building for Small Island Developing States.

A clear consensus emerged among all Pacific representatives for the Honourable Fata Ryan Al James Schuster, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour of Samoa, to deliver the Pacific Joint Statement at the plenary. Delegates recognised Samoa's leadership in regional IP reforms and the Minister's active role in advancing TK/TCE protection and treaty implementation.

On Wednesday, 8 July 2026, during the morning plenary session, Minister Schuster delivered the Pacific Statement as the first speaker, reaffirming the region's commitment to an inclusive and development-oriented multilateral IP system. The statement welcomed progress on the new WIPO Treaty on IP, GRs and ATK, underscored the Pacific's long-standing priority to secure international protection for TK and TCEs, and highlighted the upcoming Pacific regional implementation workshop in Fiji scheduled for October 2026.

The Pacific also called for strengthened participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, expanded technical assistance, and sustained support for Pacific engagement in the IGC process.

This coordinated regional approach demonstrated strong Pacific solidarity and ensured that the collective voice of the Blue Pacific was clearly heard at WIPO GA 68.