Legal and Regulatory Framework - Australia

Australia is partnering with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to help developing countries in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen their intellectual property systems and create an enabling environment for domestic innovation, inward investment and technology transfer. Global IP related health and disability issues are also addressed through the program. The program delivers activities to partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region under four key themes: 1. Development and implementation of National IP Strategies; 2. Training in IP in technology transfer, commercialisation and technology licensing: 3. WIPO Re:Search program addressing neglected tropical diseases, malaria and tuberculosis; and 4. Accessible Books Consortium to increase access to educational materials for the visually impaired.

Australia, through the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, is helping to train government health and legal professionals from developing countries to better understand the impact of international trade laws on the implementation of domestic regulations necessary to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The training program is helping developing countries implement commitments under the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of NCDs, World Health Organization’s Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020, and the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Investment can play an instrumental role in increasing productivity, creating jobs, transfer know-how, as well as achieving environmental goals. Globally, there is high level support to do more on reforms to enable and encourage investments. Australia has partnered with the World Bank Group to help developing countries improve their policies and regulations to attract, retain and extend foreign direct investments. Through the Support Program on Investment Policy and Related Areas (SPIRA), Australia and the Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice of the World Bank Group, help developing countries address legal, regulatory, and administrative impediments to investments. SPIRA also helps to steer global discussions on investment policy through better dialogue with investors and businesses, as well as peer-to-peer learning and preparation of policy tool kits and flagship reports.