Stevie Wonder To Play Concert In Honor Of Marrakesh Treaty

Stevie Wonder will be playing a special concert this summer in Marrakesh, Morocco in honor of a new treaty that will make books more accessible to blind people.

Wonder made a promise earlier this year that he would place a concert if the World Intellectual Property Organization passed the “Marrakesh Treaty.” The pact was recently approved by more than 600 negotiators from 186 states.

Wonder previously said: “This is a legacy, a gift to future generations. So let’s finalize a new agreement that opens doors to the world’s written treasures and moves towards a future where there are no barriers to the expansion of knowledge and enjoyment of culture … Let’s get this signed, sealed, delivered, and I’m yours … Do this and I will come to Marrakesh and we will celebrate together.”

According to the AG-IP, the treaty will help publishers overcome copyright issues in order to create books in accessible formats for blind and visually impaired people.

WIPO Director General Francis Gurry said: “This treaty is a victory for the blind, visually impaired and print disabled, but also for the multilateral system. With this treaty, the international community has demonstrated the capacity to tackle specific problems, and to agree a consensus solution. This is a balanced treaty, and represents a very good arbitration of the diverse interests of the various stakeholders. It is a historic treaty that will lead to real benefits for the visually impaired.”

Stevie Wonder will play at the Palais des Congres to celebrate the new treaty this Friday.

Steve Wonder, who has been blind since birth, lobbied for the Marrakesh Treaty and is now ready to celebrate his hard fought victory.

[Image Via spirit of america / Shutterstock.com]