WIPO reaches agreement on the Marrakesh Treaty.

247 The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) reached an agreement on Thursday regarding the Marrakesh Treaty. Brazil, Ecuador, and Paraguay proposed signing this treaty to make it easier for visually impaired people to access published works, creating limitations on copyright. After much negotiation with the 185 WIPO member countries, it was decided that the treaty will be signed this Friday.

To enter into force, the treaty needs to be ratified by 20 member states of the UN agency. "We urge all WIPO Member States to ratify the new Treaty as quickly as possible," said Brazil's Minister of Culture, Marta Suplicy. "I remind you that we need twenty ratifications for it to enter into force. We trust that this will not be a long waiting period. For our part, we will make every possible effort so that, very soon, we have the treaty in force and fully operational," she added.

The words were spoken in the plenary session of the Diplomatic Conference in the early afternoon of this Thursday in Marrakech, Morocco. The Vatican's Diplomatic Representative, Apostolic Nuncio Silvano Tomasi, confirmed to the minister that he will strive to ensure that the countries ratify the treaty as soon as possible. He also commented that he will suggest that the achievement be highlighted during Pope Francis' visit to Brazil at the end of July.

To celebrate the victory, singer Stevie Wonder will fulfill a promise. As previously stated, if the Treaty were approved, the singer would perform in Morocco. The concert will take place this Friday at nine o'clock in the evening at the Conference theater in Marrakech and will be especially dedicated to the members of the delegations.