A/HRC/12/WG.2/TF/2 page 9 30. UNCTAD introduced its role in access to medicines and the right to development. It is a stakeholder in the Working Group’s Plan of Action and plays a key role in the transfer of technology and the development dimensions of intellectual property. It referred to an initiative by Germany that it supported, to encourage local production of generics in or by developing countries. Such initiatives were highlighted in the Plan of Action and fit the right to development concept. UNCTAD provided assistance on regulatory aspects and technology transfer issues. 31. The Executive Secretary of the Working Group clarified that the Global Strategy and Plan of Action had been adopted by a resolution of the World Health Assembly and as such was not legally binding, but as a collective decision of WHO Member States reflected their commitment to act accordingly. While not tasked to coordinate stakeholder engagement, the secretariat of the Working Group actively interacted with non governmental organizations and the private sector. The Global Strategy and Plan of Action had been negotiated by Member States, and, in specific aspects, they regarded health-related industries as stakeholders. 32. The task force was also informed about the work of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in the field of public health, which focuses on how the intellectual property system can contribute to innovation and access to medicines. Noting the importance of the Global Strategy and Plan of Action, observers expressed concern at the disproportionate positions of developing and developed countries in negotiating trade agreements, continued obstacles to access to medicines and the use of TRIPS flexibilities, such as in the recent seizure by the authorities of the Netherlands of generic drugs being trans-shipped from India to Brazil. In this context, it was suggested that the task force consider adding criteria on implementing the right to health through access to essential medicines and a rights-sensitive pricing policy. 2. Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis 33. The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases was represented by the Head of the Drug Discovery and Product Innovation Unit, who explained that the Programme rested on three strategic functions: stewardship, empowerment and research on neglected diseases. Its main focus was on the first three principles of the Global Strategy and Plan of Action: setting priorities for research and development; promoting research and development; and building and improving innovative capacity. He described the extensive collaboration between the Programme and the pharmaceutical industry in developing drugs to treat diseases affecting people in the world’s poorest regions. A key strategy of the Programme relates to empowerment by extending capacity for product innovation in developing countries. He highlighted a series of global networks to enhance capacity, and regional networks to promote greater innovation. Another strategy related to empowerment through research, with a focus on access to health care for poor communities. Community directed interventions had been a particularly effective participatory research approach, which began by addressing river blindness, and had proven effective in approaching a variety of health concerns affecting lowincome areas. 34. James Love presented the outcomes of his research on the Programme and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (A/HRC/12/WG.2/TF/CRP.4). The Programme