UAE Delegation Participates In 58th WIPO Meetings In Geneva

A high-level delegation, led by the UAE Ministry of Economy, MOE, is currently taking part in the 58th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, WIPO, which opened today, and will run until 2nd October at the WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

GENEVA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 24th Sep, 2018) A high-level delegation, led by the UAE Ministry of Economy, MOE, is currently taking part in the 58th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, WIPO, which opened today, and will run until 2nd October at the WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The delegation is headed by Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Under-Secretary for Economic Affairs at the MOE. He is joined by Ali Ibrahim Al Hosani, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Intellectual Property Sector; Abdul Salam Al Ali, Director of the UAE Office at the World Trade Organisation; Khalfan Al Suwaidi, Director of the International Centre for Patent Registration; Abdullah Al Hammadi, Director of the National Tourism Programme; Fatima Khalaf Al Hosani, Director of the Trademarks Department; Fawzi Al Jabri, Director for Copyright and Intellectual Property Department and Shaima Al Akel, International Organisations Executive, Office of the UAE to the WTO.

Also, being held on the sidelines of the meetings is ‘UAE Week'. Organised by the MOE in coordination and cooperation with WIPO, UAE Week will showcase the creativity of Emirati products and the innovative ideas inspired by the cultural heritage of the country.

In a speech, Al Shehhi expressed his confidence that the current session will result in the successful discussion of the meeting's agenda, including the organisation's continuing efforts to protect intellectual property rights and the creation of an integrated global system that supports innovation and creativity.

He highlighted the UAE's continuing efforts to develop and adopt an integrated system that looks towards protecting and reinforcing intellectual property rights, which in turn, reinforces the country’s move to create an innovative and creative environment. Al Shehhi explained that the UAE has since then adopted a highly advanced development vision that is based on the country's openness, diverse culture and freedom of creativity, taking note that the move to protect intellectual property rights has been present in the UAE constitution since its establishment.

Al Shehhi revealed that the UAE has been reaping positive results in its move to develop policies and legislation covering intellectual property rights. He explained that the last phase of development saw key achievements on both national and regional levels, including the establishment of the potential of intellectual property as a key engine for innovation across education, the role of schools and teachers in stimulating the role of intellectual property rights as a major aspect for the knowledge-based growth; the role of universities in developing policies that encourage the innovation and creativity and developing the strategic plans to develop strategic plans to make the Patent Office receiver of the future office for international applications under the PCT.

He recalled that the UAE was the first to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. He also stressed the importance of devoting the development to all activities and programmes supervised by the WIPO and to support the efforts of Member States in achieving the goals of sustainable development.

In his concluding remarks, Al Shehhi affirmed the UAE's bid to host a WIPO regional office, in line with the country’s objectives in playing a positive role in spreading a culture of intellectual property. He expressed his hope that the UAE will enjoy the support of the WIPO member states, further explaining that the UAE offers an ideal environment and has met the WIPO requirements needed in hosting a regional office.