Opening Statement by India at the 28th session of the Programme and Budget Committee delivered by Shri Animesh Choudhury (September 10 to 14, 2018), First Secretary at the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Geneva on 10th September 2018.
Thank You Mr Chair,
At the outset, India would like to congratulate you for your election to steer the proceedings of this Committee. India would also like to place on record it’s appreciation of the efforts put in by the Secretariat in putting together the detailed documentation for the session.
Mr. Chair,
2. India aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Asia and Pacific Group.
3. We are satisfied by the sound financial state of the organization. On the Annual Report on Human Resources prepared by the Secretariat, we commend the fact, that the workforce productivity has continued to increase and efforts have been made towards maintaining a gender balance in the overall workforce of the organization. While India appreciates the representation of 118 nationalities in the workforce of WIPO, we still believe that a lot needs to be done to ensure a balanced geographical distribution in terms of ratio and numbers in the overall workforce of the organization.
Mr. Chair,
4. India commends the report of the External Auditor where some valuable recommendations have been made by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, in its capacity as the External Auditor of WIPO. We are positive that the organization will work towards implementation of the recommendations made by the External Auditor, particularly with respect to the Madrid System and in ensuring sound financial management of assets of the organization.
5. India compliments the work of the WIPO Independent Advisory Oversight Committee and the Director of the Internal Oversight Division for their detailed and comprehensive reports. The report of the Director of the Internal Oversight Division makes some valuable recommendations in line with the provisions of the Internal Oversight Charter. We are confident that the organization will work towards closure of the open recommendations.
Mr. Chair,
6. India looks forward to constructive and value-added deliberations in the 28th Session of the Programme and Budget Committee.
Thank You.
