Regional workshop on the Arusha protocol

Plant variety protection (or plant breeders’ rights (PBRs)) is an IPR granted to farmers or breeders of new plant varieties. The adoption of the Arusha protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (Arusha protocol) in 2015 created a harmonised regional legal mechanism for the protection of plant breeders’ rights (PBRs) in the ARIPO member states. This protocol has been aligned with the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants of 1991 (UPOV 1991). Nevertheless, only a limited number of countries have ratified the Arusha protocol so far. Therefore, a regional conference will be organised for participating countries to share their experience, best practices and lessons learnt as regards the utilisation of the Arusha protocol and UPOV 1991. They will explain the advantages of the protection systems to non-member states, also from an economic growth point of view.