Claudio Chiarolla is legal officer at the World Intellectual Property Organisation in Geneva (Swizerland). From 2010 to 2015, he was Research Fellow on International Governance of Biodiversity at IDDRI. His research interests include: international environmental law, comparative law, international regulation of biotechnology, international intellectual property law, open source systems of technology development and transfer, humanitarian licensing and genetic resources policy issues. Before joining IDDRI, Claudio has worked, published, and undertaken academic research on biodiversity governance issues, innovation policies, technological change and their respective role in sustainable development.
Claudio is trained as a lawyer and holds a Degree in Law from the University of Milan and a Master’s Degree in Advanced International Legal Studies from the Universities of Verona, Catania and Geneva. In January 2010, he was awarded the Ph.D. in law from Queen Mary, Centre for Commercial Law Studies, University of London. His thesis focuses on "Intellectual Property and Environmental Protection of Crop Biodiversity under International Law".
Since October 2007, he has worked for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) as an editor and writer of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, a publication that covers developments on multilateral environmental processes and conventions. Previously, he was Ph.D. Fellow at the United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) in Yokohama, Japan, contributing to the Biodiplomacy Programme. Claudio has also collaborated in different capacities with non-governmental, governmental and intergovernmental organisations, including inter alia: the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development; the UK Intellectual Property Office; the European patent Office; the Legal Office of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization; the Global Crop Diversity Trust; and the UN Environmental Programme.
Claudio has also taught (« maître de conférences ») Public International Law at the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), Sciences Po, in 2011-2012.
Claudio Chiarolla
Legal Officer, World Intellectual Property Organisation
