Balancing the Global Copyright System in the Public Interest: An Analysis of the African Group’s Proposed Instrument on Limitations and Exceptions
South Centre and Centre on Knowledge Governance Working Paper, 1 December 2025
By Faith O. Majekolagbe
The establishment of an international instrument on copyright limitations and exceptions (L&Es) is essential to achieve an appropriate balance between exclusive rights and the overarching public interest in access to copyrighted works and related subject matter. Current international copyright instruments, including the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, fail to adequately address L&Es for education, research, equitable access for persons with disabilities, and the operations of educational, research, and cultural heritage institutions such as libraries, archives, and museums. The proposed instrument on L&Es by the African Group seeks to establish mandatory minimum L&Es to support education, research, and access to information within the international copyright system, thereby promoting global harmonization and ensuring that copyright law supports, not impedes, development objectives and compliance with human rights obligations. This working paper offers a thorough analysis of the proposed instrument, examining its substantive provisions and potential benefits.
South Centre Statement submitted to Session Three: A Fair and a Just Future for All:Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Carlos Correa, South Centre Executive Director, highlighted at the G20 Leaders’ Summit that while the world is transitioning to a critical mineral-intensive future, resource-rich poor countries are stuck at the bottom of the value chain. On AI, he stressed that the United Nations should continue to play an important role in shaping the international AI governance.
From Fragmentation to Impact: Strengthening Southern Agency in Global AI Governance
By Vahini Naidu and Danish
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming production, trade and governance systems, yet global regulatory efforts remain fragmented and uneven. The multiplicity of forums, frameworks and initiatives, from UN processes to plurilateral and trade-centred mechanisms, has produced overlapping agendas and resulted in diminished participation from global South stakeholders. For developing countries, the challenge is to engage meaningfully in global AI governance while preserving national policy space and advancing sustainable development priorities.
This policy brief examines the evolving landscape of AI governance, focusing on its institutional fragmentation and the competing conceptions of regulation advanced through the UN, G20, BRICS, and other fora. It argues that coherent, development-oriented AI governance requires strengthening UN-anchored processes and linking AI regulation to industrial policy, innovation systems and data sovereignty. The brief concludes that inclusive, sustainable and responsible AI governance should support governments in enhancing their capacities to harness AI and emerging technologies to shape their digital transformation.
South Centre in collaboration with IT for Change and Center of Policy Research and Governance, with the support of the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva
Monday, 17 November 2025, 13:15 – 14:15, Palais des Nations, Room VIII, Geneva
Held in preparation for the AI Impact Summit 2026, this event will discuss how countries can work together to ensure Artificial Intelligence supports inclusive and sustainable development, strengthens national and regional capacities, and promotes equitable participation in global AI governance.
Report on Compulsory Licensing Provisions in the National Patent Legislation of 15 Middle-Income Countries:
A Content Analysis and Recommendations
A Report of the Global Economic Governance Initiative of the Boston University Global Development Policy Center
Published by the South Centre and the Global Economic Governance Initiative of Boston University Global Development Policy Center
This study examines compulsory licensing laws in 15 middle-income countries often excluded from voluntary licenses & finds significant untapped policy space to advance access to affordable medicines. It highlights best practices & makes key recommendations to improve patent laws for the use of this important TRIPS flexibility.
Are countries maximizing the policy space they have to grant compulsory licenses to improve access to medicines?
Webinar
Date & Time: Thursday, 13 November 2025, 13h-14h30 (Geneva) / 7h-8h30 (Boston) / 23h-00h30 (Melbourne)
Join the Launch of a Report onCompulsory Licensing Provisions in the National Patent Legislation of 15 Middle-Income Countries, published by the South Centre and the Global Economic Governance Initiative of Boston University Global Development Policy Center.
South Centre Statement to the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement
3 November 2025
This statement was delivered at the opening of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, third session, on 3 November 2025. The South Centre underscored that the first draft Bureau text helps to kick off text-based negotiations, but it does not meet the requirements for implementation of Article 12 of the Pandemic Agreement.
The WIPO Patent Agenda: The Risks for Developing Countries
by Carlos M. Correa and Sisule F. Musungu
This paper is aimed at assessing some of the implications of the WIPO Patent Agenda, in the context of the ongoing debates on the benefits and costs of intellectual property protection for developing and least developed countries. The main aim of the paper is to provide an overview of the processes under the Patent Agenda, to identify and examine the main issues that are under discussion and to underscore the importance of these issues for developing and least-developed countries.
Building Up a Balanced Global Intellectual Property System: Report of the WIPO Assemblies’ Sixty-sixth Series of Meetings
Health, Intellectual Property and Biodiversity Programme, South Centre
This report reviews the key discussions and outcomes of the 66th Series of Meetings of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Assemblies held in July 2025. The Assemblies addressed important governance, oversight, and norm-setting issues. Key developments included the launch of the process to appoint a new Director General, decisions on committee compositions and approval of the 2026/27 Program and Budget. Developing countries advocated for more inclusive participation in governance, balanced priority setting on norm-setting work, and stronger implementation of the Development Agenda.
Co-organized by the National Commission on International Trade & Health Studies (NCITHS), Thailand together with the International Trade & Health Programme (ITH), South Centre & other partners
The BBNJ Will Enter into Force in January 2026: Summary of PrepCom II Outcome
By Ningxiner Li
The BBNJ Agreement enters into force on January 2026. Read the PrepCom II outcomes on developing country priorities: equitable governance, a demand-driven Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM), and accessible funding. There is critical work ahead before PrepCom III (March 23-April 2, 2026) and COP1.
WIPO’s new Treaty on genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge – a long-awaited and groundbreaking step towards combatting biopiracy
By Wend Wendland
WIPO’s new Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge responds to an over 25 years’ demand by developing countries to combat biopiracy. The Treaty is the first intellectual property treaty for which those countries were the proponents. While the Treaty’s adoption on May 24, 2024 was a momentous milestone in the evolution of the patent system, it is critical that the Treaty’s paradigm-shifting political and symbolic importance be matched by its practical effectiveness.
