CM/Res.306 (XI)
RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Twenty First Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa from 17 – 24 May 1973,
Considering the important part played by intellectual property – the principal elements of which are literary and artistic works, inventions and trademarks – in the cultural and economic development of countries throughout the world,
Taking account of the fact that international co-operation in this field is based essentially on the Conventions administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),
Noting that WIPO, although an inter-governmental organization of universal scope, is not a member of the United Nations system,
Considering further that , by becoming a part of the said system, pursuant to Articles 57 and 63 of the United Nations Charter, WIPO could strengthen considerably its activities on behalf of developing countries, and of African countries in particular,
Noting also that the question of the relations between WIPO and the United Nations is on the agenda of the 55th session of ECOSOC, which will be held in Geneva in July 1973,
INVITES Member States of the OAU within the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations, and those within the Co- ordination Committee and the Geneva Assembly of WIPO, to endorse and approve the conclusion of an agreement between the United Nations and WIPO
making the latter a Specialized Agency under Article 57 and 63 of the United Nations Charter;
EXPRESSES THE WISH that in view of the urgent nature of the matter, negotiations on the terms of the said Agreement may come to fruition in the course of the July 1973 session of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and that the General Assemblies of the United Nations and WIPO may approve the agreement at their 1973 sessions.