(VOVWORLD) - World Trade Organization countries failed to reach consensus for a temporary waiver of intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines in order to boost production.
 Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell told reporters after the WTO’s meeting on Tuesday that although all 164 member countries agreed on the need to boost the production of vaccines, they have divergent views on how this can be achieved.
The discussion focused on some key issues, particularly the duration of the waiver, the scope in terms of products covered, and the WTO’s Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of IP Rights (TRIPS) provisions.
Rockwell said they all focused on a pragmatic outcome, whatever that may be.
WTO members are scheduled to hold an informal meeting in early September to discuss IP Rights, followed by a formal meeting October 13-14.