The permanent representative and ambassador of this Caribbean island to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Matthew Wilson, signed the instrument before the general director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang.

The document alleviates the production and international transfer of books, specially adapted for blind people, visual impairment or other disabilities, while establishing a series of limitations and exceptions to traditional copyright legislations.

Following the presentation, the Caribbean diplomat highlighted WIPO’s interest in collaborating to make the treaty operational and ensure that, especially children, can have access to the more than 600,000 titles available through the ‘ABC book service’.

Wilson suggested that, in addition, policy texts could be translated into accessible formats, including the Bridgetown Initiative (to finance climate adaptation for vulnerable nations), which is currently being championed globally.

In accepting the instrument, Tang praised Barbados’ efforts to prioritize intellectual property as an important element of its growth story.

The Marrakesh Treaty, adopted on June 27, 2013, which entered into force on September 30, 2016, helps to expand opportunities for learning, education and leisure.

Bot only the Treaty makes it possible for people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise disabled to access printed text in libraries, but also enables training projects for local trainers in the development of accessible works.

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