Abu Dhabi: The UAE actively participated in the 64th series of meetings held by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 6th to 14th.
Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Maeena, Secretary General of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, expressed gratitude to the UAE’s wise leadership for guiding the development of an inspiring intellectual property (IP) ecosystem. The UAE’s commitment to innovation and patenting activities aligns with international best practices. The country provides necessary support and facilities for the growth, innovation, and research and development of knowledge-based enterprises.
Dr. Al Maeena highlighted the UAE’s comprehensive legislative system that ensures robust protection of intellectual property rights for creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. The country has enacted new laws and implemented economic policies and legislation, including Industrial Property, Trademark, Copyright, and Neighboring Rights, to enhance the IP ecosystem. This thriving ecosystem plays a vital role in the UAE’s transition to a flexible and sustainable economic model.
Furthermore, the UAE has fostered regional and international partnerships to safeguard intellectual property and promote the creative and cultural sector. By becoming party to the Budapest Treaty, the Strasbourg Agreement, and the Madrid International Trademark System, the UAE remains updated with global developments in IP protection.
The UAE’s efforts to strengthen intellectual property legislation and participate in international treaties have yielded significant progress. As evidence, the country secured the top rank globally in the Talent Attractiveness index of the Global Prosperity Report 2023. The UAE also stands as a regional and Arab leader in innovation and IP performance, scoring high in indices like the Global Prosperity Report Innovation Index. These advancements spur inventions, innovations, scientific research, and technology, making the UAE more attractive for foreign investments and talent while enhancing its economic competitiveness.
Dr. Al Maeena expressed gratitude to the WIPO General Secretariat for organizing the 64th meeting series, which provided an invaluable platform for exchanging regional and global experiences in IP protection. He commended WIPO’s continuous efforts in promoting information and knowledge exchange among member states to strengthen IP protection. The UAE values WIPO’s leadership in driving dialogues on intellectual property rights in technology, AI, and IoT. Additionally, the organization’s robust financial performance was acknowledged, underscoring the strength of its global services.
Furthermore, Dr. Al Maeena discussed several national strategies and initiatives that support the UAE’s IP environment and innovation. Notably, the “We UAE 2031” vision recognizes IP and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth, aiming to position the country among the top 10 nations for attracting and retaining global talent in the next decade. Other significant strategies include the National Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy, which seeks to enhance the growth and contribution of cultural and creative industries to GDP by 5% by 2031, and the National Advanced Innovation Strategy, aimed at elevating the UAE’s standing among global innovation pioneers.