Mr. President,

Allow me, first of all, to congratulate you upon your election as President of this Diplomatic Conference. My congratulations also go to the Vice-Presidents and all the elected officers of this Conference.

I should like to express my appreciation to the Director General and the International Bureau for the excellent preparation of this Conference, and take this opportunity to thank WIPO for the generous assistance and contribution it has provided to enhance the national intellectual property rights ("IPR") system in Indonesia.

Mr. President,

It is indeed an inevitable reality that the advancement of technology demands a credible system of protection - efficient, effective and accessible - for the ever-growing number of innovations and their pace. At the same time, the acceleration of globalization in international trade requires stronger protection at the international level. In this context, the harmonization of patent formalities is indeed a very important step which merits careful and thorough consideration by this Diplomatic Conference.

The two Basic Proposals submitted by the Director General are the result of a long history of discussion, negotiation, and hardwork by the various parties involved. The draft Patent Law Treaty and attendant Regulations reflect the state of the art in the development of international legal instruments, particularly in the field of intellectual property. In the mean time, the relevance of the patent system as we know it today has grown rapidly.

My Delegation has studied all the material prepared for the review of the draft Patent Law Treaty and Regulations. After review, we find that the draft Treaty quite comprehensive and moderate in its attempt to harmonize the various patent systems in the world. Indonesia would indeed greatly benefit from the adoption of the Treaty. However, before its adoption, certain adjustments and improvements will need to be undertaken by the Indonesian Patent Office.

In addition to the question of genetic resources that has been discussed intensively since yesterday, Indonesia would like to make a special note on electronic filing which looks inherent or even compulsory in this modern era. These are at least two issues relating to electronic filing. First is on the physical aspect in the manner of the readiness of the patent administration with such modernized equipment. Second is relating to the preparation of local laws concerning the protection of electronic filing. In this respect, the Indonesian Patent Office will also need to hold discussions with the other related institutions with a view to coordinating their action.

Apart from the position of the Patent Law Treaty, Indonesia, as a developing country, the target is clearly to administer the contemporary IPR system in such a way as to achieve maximum results. Therefore, our priority is to concentrate on our internal matters relating to IPR. This internal matters include the accomodation of all the elements contained in the TRIPS Agreement and in those other Conventions ratified by Indonesia, namely the Paris Convention, the WIPO Convention, the PCT, the TLT, the Bern Convention, the WCT, as well as the enhancement of private initiative among our own citizens to apply for patent registration. To date, only 4,5 % of total applications have been filed. Eventhough this percentage does not compare unfavourably with the number of patent applications in other countries, Indonesia is nevertheless determined to improve this ratio.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, Indonesia acknowledges the importance and benefits of harmonized patent formalities. Although Indonesia needs more time to make the necessary preparations prior to adopting them, the existing Indonesian Patent Law and its proposed revisions are, to some extent, in line with the dispositions of the draft Patent Law Treaty.

I thank you Mr. President.