Abstract:

The concepts of traditional knowledge, indigenous people and indigenous knowledge have gained broad use in international discussions on sustainable improvement. Nevertheless, their use is usually subjected to confusion. There have been numerous attempts to clarify the notions of traditional knowledge, indigenous knowledge and people. Although there are no globally approved definitions, this paper is devoted to analysing the approaches of international organisations to the protection of traditional knowledge. The study discusses the work of the international organisations: WIPO, UNESCO, WHO, WTO and FAO, as well as international conferences: Conference of the Parties of Convention on Biological Diversity and UNCTAD. The examples of traditional knowledge illustrate the paper: use of turmeric for wound healing in India, use the Hoodia plant to suppress hunger during hunting in South Africa and others.