Convention on Knowledge Commons

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The Contracting Parties¹,

Conscious of the intrinsic value of knowledge commons² and of the social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values of externalised knowledge,

Conscious also of the importance of knowledge conversion for economic and sustainable development,

Affirming that the provision of knowledge commons is a common concern of humankind³,

Reaffirming that States and Private persons may have sovereign rights⁴ over their specific knowledge resources,

Reaffirming also that States are responsible for conserving their knowledge commons and for using these commons in the sustainable creation of wealth and health,

Concerned that the provision of knowledge commons is being significantly reduced by certain human and commercial activities,

Aware of the general lack of information and knowledge regarding knowledge commons and of the urgent need to develop scientific, technical and institutional capacities⁵ to provide the basic understanding upon which to plan and implement appropriate measures,

Noting that it is vital to anticipate, prevent and attack the causes of the reduced provision of knowledge commons,

Noting further that the fundamental requirement for the creation of value from knowledge is its in-situ conversion⁶ as part of human activity, with or without the support of ICT.

Noting further that ex-situ conversion practices, preferably both in international fora and in local languages, also have an important role to play,

Recognizing the desirability of sharing equitably benefits arising from the use of knowledge commons, innovations and practices,

Stressing the importance of, and the need to promote, international, regional and global cooperation among States and intergovernmental organizations and the non-governmental sector for the nurturing of knowledge commons and their broad-based utilization,

Acknowledging that the provision of new and additional financial resources and appropriate access to relevant technologies can be expected to make a substantial difference in the world's ability to ensure the situation-specific translation into actionable knowledge for multiple actors operating in myriad situations,

Acknowledging further that special provision is required to meet the needs of developing countries, including the provision of new and additional financial resources and appropriate access to relevant technologies,

Noting in this regard the special conditions of the least developed countries and populations depending on local languages,

Acknowledging that substantial investments are required to consolidate knowledge commons and that there is the expectation of a broad range of environmental, economic and social benefits from those investments,

Recognizing that economic and social development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of developing countries,

Aware that the broad-based provision is of critical importance for meeting the food, health and other needs of the growing world population, for which purpose access to and sharing of both knowledge commons and technologies are essential,

Noting that, ultimately, the broad-based provision of knowledge commons will strengthen friendly relations among States and contribute to peace for humankind,

Desiring to enhance and complement existing international arrangements for the broad-based provision of knowledge commons, and

Determined to unlock the knowledge commons for the benefit of present and future generations,

Have agreed as follows:

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