Hold talks to extend TRIPS waiver to Covid diagnostics: Piyush Goyal to G20

Goyal said if multilateralism was imperilled, the world will not be left with many fora to promote dialogue and diplomacy

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday urged G20 member nations to commit to “timely” discussions on “important” decisions mandated at the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) 12th ministerial conference on issues.

These included matters related to WTO reforms, including strengthening of the dispute settlement mechanism, as well extension of TRIPS waiver to cover the production and supply of Covid-19 diagnostics and therapeutics within the agreed timeframe of six months.

At the 12th ministerial meeting in June, WTO member nations agreed upon the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement that gives greater scope to diversify production of Covid-19 vaccines and