About the Dialogue — Bali Global Dialogue 2026

Background & Global Context

Over the past two decades, the exploitation and monetization of copyrighted works have shifted decisively toward digital, platform-mediated, and cross-border channels. Streaming services, user-generated content platforms, and artificial intelligence systems now constitute the principal environment in which musical works, phonograms, audiovisual content, and journalistic works reach the public.

This transformation has generated substantial new economic value and unprecedented access for users worldwide, benefiting creators, right holders, platforms, and the public alike.

At the same time, the operational dimensions of contemporary digital exploitation—documentation, metadata management, usage-data processing, valuation, allocation, and remuneration management—have evolved into a complex cross-border ecosystem that was not envisaged when the existing international treaty framework was developed.

Copyright and related rights remain territorial in nature, whereas royalty flows, data generation, and algorithmic decision-making increasingly transcend national jurisdictions. Operational challenges highlighted in the WIPO SCCR and industry fora include fragmented metadata, limited transparency in allocation methodologies, persistent volumes of unallocated royalties, divergent reporting formats, and uneven institutional capacity among collective management organizations (CMOs), particularly in developing and least developed countries (LDCs).

These are governance and coordination challenges rather than gaps in substantive rights. National frameworks remain essential, but face inherent limitations in addressing phenomena that are borderless by design. The Bali Global Dialogue provides a dedicated, structured platform to address these challenges cooperatively.

Organizational Arrangements

Host & Organizer: Government of the Republic of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Law — Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) and Legal Policy Strategy Agency (BSKH), in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and PTRI Geneva.
Venue & Dates: Bali, Indonesia — October 7–9, 2026. Exact conference venue details to be communicated in the formal diplomatic invitation.
Format & Modality: In-person forum, with remote observation arrangements for plenary sessions explored subject to technical feasibility.
Working Language: English. The feasibility of interpretation for plenary sessions will be examined.

Download Concept Paper (PDF)

Objectives of the Dialogue

The Dialogue pursues four distinct objectives, each linked to a concrete result:

1

Exchange Experiences and Practices

Provide a structured setting in which Member States, CMOs, digital service providers, creators, and experts can share concrete national and operational experiences in royalty governance on a voluntary basis.

2

Map Emerging Challenges

Develop, through the Background Mapping Report and Dialogue discussions, a shared factual picture of the principal challenges in cross-border royalty governance, including those arising from artificial intelligence.

3

Identify Promising and Effective Practices

Identify practices and approaches—legislative, regulatory, institutional, contractual, and technical—that participants consider effective in improving transparency, accountability, or interoperability.

4

Explore Opportunities for International Cooperation

Examine, without prejudice to any outcome, where voluntary international cooperation—including information exchange, capacity building, and technical assistance—could add value, particularly for developing countries and LDCs.

Guiding Principles

The design and conduct of the Dialogue are governed by seven foundational principles:

Principle 1

Voluntary & Non-Normative

Participation, contributions, and outputs are entirely voluntary. The Dialogue is not a negotiating body and will not adopt legally binding commitments or treaties.

Principle 2

Without Prejudice

Nothing said, submitted, or produced at the Dialogue shall be construed as the formal position of any Member State, or as support for or opposition to any policy outcome in the SCCR or elsewhere.

Principle 3

Complementary to Existing Treaties

Discussions proceed on the understanding that existing international treaties (Berne, Rome, WCT, WPPT, Beijing, TRIPS) are not being reopened or modified. Focus is solely on governance and coordination.

Principle 4

Evidence-Based

Discussions are firmly anchored in verifiable data, documented national experiences, and existing independent studies, including WIPO studies submitted to the SCCR.

Principle 5

Inclusive and Balanced

Brings together creators, CMOs, digital platforms, industry associations, academics, and governments from all regional groups, ensuring regional, gender, and value-chain diversity.

Principle 6

Respect for National Systems & Contractual Freedom

Recognizes the legitimate diversity of national legal frameworks, business models, contractual freedom, and technological approaches.

Principle 7

Development Orientation

Consistent with the WIPO Development Agenda, dedicated attention is given to the participation, voice, and institutional capacity building of developing countries and LDCs.

Expected Outputs & Their Status

Output Document	Content & Substance	Status & Legal Nature
Background Mapping Report	A factual synthesis of voluntary member state submissions, relevant WIPO studies, and operational data, circulated prior to the plenary.	Input Document Prepared before the Dialogue by host; circulated to participants and made publicly available.
Bali Chair’s Summary	A comprehensive, non-binding synthesis of discussions, areas of convergence, and technical matters requiring further examination.	Principal Outcome Issued under sole authority of the Chair; non-negotiated text; does not bind any participant.
Possible Pathways for Future Cooperation	A non-exhaustive compilation of practical avenues for capacity building, technical assistance, and research—especially for developing countries.	Voluntary Action Guide Voluntary & non-binding compilation; presented as an annex to Chair's Summary without prejudice.