WTO : Attenuating enforcement function, "confounding" talks on DS reform (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The facilitator overseeing the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement (DS) system reform process plans to conve ne a meeting on 9 September to discuss several elements of the proposed Appeal/Review mechanism that is likely to replace the binding Appellate Bod y, in a move that could attenuate the WTO's enforcement function, say people fami liar with the development.

CBD : Difficult discussions continue on digital sequence information (PRIV)
(Nithin Ramakrishnan, Montreal)
Discussions at the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit- sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources continue to be contentious.

CBD : North's effort to avoid benefit-sharing obligation weakens DSI non-pap er (PRIV)
(Nithin Ramakrishnan, Montreal)
Developed country Parties have ma de it clear on the second day of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on Genet ic Resources (Working Group) meeting that they would not want any obligations to share the benefits arising from the use of DSI. Neither do they want measur es to establish accountability in the sharing of DSI.

CBD : South calls for CBD database for DSI & improved data governance (PRIV)
(Nithin Ramakrishnan, Montreal)
Developing countries have called for a new sequence database to be established within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as a part of its multilateral mechanism.