The EUIPO promotes GIs for sustainable development at the UN’s COP16
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) made a significant contribution to the United Nations (UN) 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia from 22 to 31 October. The EUIPO organised several side events at the EU pavilion with the implementing partners of the EU-funded programme AL-INVEST Verde (AIV).
The EUIPO led key discussions during side-events focused on leveraging geographical indications (GIs) to promote sustainable value chains, with particular emphasis on coffee and cocoa. These events were organised in the context of the IP cooperation project AL-INVEST Verde IPR or Component 3 of the AIV programme, in collaboration with the implementing partners of other components: the development organisation sequa, the International Italo-Latin American Organisation (IIlLA), and the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Public Administration and Policy (FIAPP). The AIV programme promotes sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by facilitating the transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy.
The events at the EU Pavilion brought together policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders from Latin America to share knowledge on how GIs can drive sustainability while enhancing local economies. They focused on sustainable supply chains for coffee in forested areas and for cocoa in the Amazon region, highlighting agro-forestry practices, innovative production techniques, and policies to enhance product value while conserving forests and biodiversity.
A highlight was the session on sustainable coffee production, where industry experts discussed how IP rights can improve the value of coffee while preserving ecosystems. The cocoa value chain session focused on sustainability and forest protection, with insights shared by representatives from Ecuador and Colombia. The role of intellectual property in supporting sustainable and deforestation-free coffee and cocoa production took centre stage, along with discussions on innovative certification methods.
These events showcased not only the EUIPO’s role as international GI registration authority and leader of EU international cooperation efforts concerning GIs, but also underlined the EUIPO’s strategic objective to promote innovation by enhancing IP as a tool for growth and sustainable development.
The EUIPO actively contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring that the EU IP system supports innovation related to the green transition, by fostering green best practices, and by identifying and spearheading IP related aspects of green initiatives to tackle climate change and sustainability.
For more information about the EU’s stance in biodiversity preservation, see: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/biodiversity/
Watch the recordings of the three side-events in the EU pavillion below: