The Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe become party to the Arusha Protocol

The Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe deposited its Instrument of Ratification of the Arusha Protocol on the Protection of New Varieties of Plants of July 6, 2015, with the Director General of ARIPO on September 29, 2020.

The Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is the second ARIPO Member State to become party to the Protocol, after Rwanda taking the lead in June last year.

The Arusha Protocol, which main purpose is to grant and protect breeders rights, was adopted by a Diplomatic Conference of ARIPO Member States in Arusha, Tanzania, on July 6, 2015. Under Article 40 (Chapter XVI), the Protocol shall come into force twelve months after four States have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession.

Any State, member of ARIPO or to which membership of ARIPO is open, may become party to this Protocol by following one of these steps:

(a) by signature followed by the deposit of an instrument of ratification; or

(b) by deposit of an instrument of accession.

For further questions, please contact: africa@inventa.com