COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic nearly a year ago, and in that time, global leaders have increasingly seen the importance of innovation and collaboration in addressing this major global health challenge. The Republic of Korea – as one of only 34 countries represented on the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board in 2021 – continues to advance efforts that fuel progress and support a strong intellectual property (IP) and innovation ecosystem.

One such opportunity is when the Executive Board continues conversations on the Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (GSPOA). The GSPOA, negotiated and approved 13 years ago, helps countries set policies to support discovery of new treatments and cures for diseases disproportionately affecting developing nations.

Importantly, the GSPOA views IP as “an important incentive in the development of health care products.” However, as nations look to speed COVID-19 therapies and vaccines to people worldwide, some leaders have supported misguided policies, such as compulsory licensing, that could inadvertently delay efforts to contain the pandemic. Proposals to erode or suspend longstanding intellectual property policies threaten much-needed innovation for developing and developed nations alike. Such focus also strays from the WHO’s main mission of leading the global coordination and response to pandemics like the coronavirus and other health emergencies – which should remain the priority, especially now.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll, but it has also spurred unprecedented collaboration and innovation to address it – due, in no small part, to strong IP systems that protect innovators. The Republic of Korea has been hit hard by COVID-19, both socially and economically. By the end of 2020, for example, the Republic of Korea's annual GDP was expected to decline 1.3%.

Embracing innovation and supporting innovative industries could help reverse economic setbacks from the pandemic. The Republic of Korea appears to appreciate this fact, maintaining its high rating from the previous two years and ranking 10th out of the 131 economies featured in the 2020 Global Innovation Index. Indeed Korea is one of the world’s greatest drivers of innovation and research.

The Republic of Korea also continues to show appreciation for the role of IP, innovation and collaboration in addressing our current challenges:

• At the WIPO Assemblies of the Member States meeting in September, the delegation noted “the [COVID-19] epidemic has been making substantial negative impact on the global economy. Despite this situation, more emphasis should be put on R&D and IP to stimulate innovation and creativity essential for economic growth…Also, we should endeavor to remind IP stakeholders of the importance of IP creations and protections as well as R&D for the swift recovery of the global economy.”
• Among other countries, the Republic of Korea signed an open letter in March calling for publishers to make research and data related to the coronavirus available immediately to the public – appreciating the role of collaboration in solving for the pandemic.
• And at the World Health Assembly in May the Republic of Korea further underscored that need for collaboration, noting “we should enhance transparent, and timely sharing of information, data, and knowledge on COVID-19” – and a strong IP system makes this possible.

The Republic of Korea should continue to speak up to defend IP and innovation, which it very much supports for its own prosperity, as well as advocate for continued partnerships, including collaboration with private sector. In doing so, we can end the coronavirus pandemic and improve global health.