KYRGYZ REPUBLIC ACCEDES TO UPOVThe Government of the Kyrgyz Republic deposited today its instrument of accession to the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The purpose of the UPOV Convention is to acknowledge the achievements of breeders of new plant varieties by granting them an exclusive property right on the basis of a set of uniform and clearly defined principles. To be eligible for protection, varieties have to meet certain conditions such as being distinct from existing, commonly known varieties and sufficiently homogeneous and stable. Protection is given to plant breeders both as an incentive to the development of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and to safeguard the interests of plant breeders. Improved varieties are a necessary and cost-effective ingredient for achieving food security in a sustainable way. The Director General of WIPO, Dr. Kamil Idris, who is also Secretary-General of UPOV, welcomed the accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention. The accession of the Kyrgyz Republic, which enters into force on June 26, 2000, brings the total number of member States of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) to 45. They are:
UPOV, an intergovernmental organization based in Geneva, cooperates in administrative matters with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). For further information about UPOV, please contact the UPOV Secretariat:
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