Los Angeles, California. August 27: The Head of Secretariat for the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), Nancy T. Oraka, addressed the Pacific Colloquium on Consumer Protection, Border Security, and Enforcement Against Trade in Counterfeit Goods today, highlighting the challenges and progress of intellectual property rights (IPR) in the Pacific region.
“The trade in counterfeit and illicit goods poses a grave threat to our economies, our societies, and the health and safety of our citizens in the Pacific. It undermines legitimate businesses, stifles innovation, and fuels organised crime,” Ms Oraka said. “We are increasingly recognising the importance of IPR in promoting economic development, innovation, and cultural preservation. This is especially true with the growth of international trade and the digital economy.”
The Head of Secretariat outlined the unique challenges faced by the Pacific in implementing and enforcing IPR laws, including limited resources, geographical dispersion, diverse legal systems, and the need to balance IPR protection with traditional knowledge and cultural expressions.
Despite these challenges, Ms. Oraka highlighted the progress made in recent years, with many Pacific Island countries modernising IPR laws, joining international treaties, and focusing on capacity building and awareness.
“There is growing interest in using geographical indications (GIs) to protect and promote unique Pacific products, such as kava and vanilla. While the number of patent applications remains relatively low in the Pacific, there have been successful examples of local innovation and patenting, particularly in the areas of agriculture and traditional medicine,” Ms Oraka said.
She also acknowledged the ongoing debate on balancing IPR protection with access to knowledge and technology, particularly in public health and education, and stressed the need for further research and data collection on IPR in the Pacific.
Ms. Oraka expressed gratitude for the partnership between OCO and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, highlighting their joint efforts in legislative reform, regional collaboration, and public awareness.
In closing, Ms. Oraka called for collective action to build a more resilient, prosperous, and secure Pacific, where intellectual property rights are respected, innovation flourishes, and the well-being of the people is safeguarded.
ENDS