In a statement, adopted after the three day conference on "Policy Issues in the Next Milleniumon" here on Friday, the forum recognised the need for developing a common platform to echo mutual concerns in various intellectual property fora.

The forum, organised by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), in cooperation with the department of industrial development and Ficci, was attended by senior officials responsible for intellectual property rights policies and administration from 22 countries of Asia and Pacific. It examined various issues concerning policy development in the field of intellectual property.

The forum dwelt on the imperatives of balancing exclusive rights of individuals with the public interest,and benefits to the civil society. It emphasised on the need to assist developing countries in modernising their intellectual property systems, including their legislative and administrative infrastructures to enable them to meet requirements under the TRIPs agreement within the transition period available.

Recognition of developing information technology systems relevant to intellectual property administration as a priority policy consideration for the developing countries including wide dissemination of intellectual property information through internet was one of the major outcome of the three day seminar. The forum suggested the developing countries to harness opportunities offered by advancements in digital technology and to study and examine intellectual property implications related to E-commerce.

The Forum asked the members to rationalize, simplify and develop cost-effective and transparent systems for the enforcement of intellectual property rights. It also envisaged a multi-disciplinary approachfor the co-ordination of intellectual property enforcement, in particular, involving government agencies, judiciary, customs and police, private sector, rights holders and non-governmental organizations.

The forum acknowledged the need for participating countries to take part in the international harmonisation of industrial property laws and procedures, including the study of intellectual property issues associated with new and emerging technologies, the digital environment, global issues and the TRIPs agreement. More importantly, it stressed on the need to protect and preserve traditional knowledge, innovation and creativity and to promote the sharing of benefits through the effective use of appropriate intellectual property systems. It also recognised the need to enhance the level of understanding and to consider appropriate means to address global intellectual property issues.