The World Intellectual Property Organization's 65th Assembly of Member States has commenced

10.07.2024 | 13:15

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opened its 65th Assembly in Geneva on July 6. Estonia is represented by attache Jaana Piilpärk, Director General of the Estonian Patent Office Margus Viher, Head of the Intellectual Property Law Department Cady Kaisa Rivera, Head of the Intellectual Property and Competition Law Division at the Ministry of Justice Kärt Nemvalts, and ambassador Riia Salsa-Audiffren from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to Geneva.

Director General of WIPO Daren Tang opened the Assembly. Important problems will be debated in accordance with the agenda, decisions will be made, and representatives will be chosen throughout the two intense working weeks.

On July 10, the Director General of the Estonian Patent Office, Margus Viher, gave a speech, he expressed Estonia's strong support for WIPO's work to bring intellectual property closer to people, despite the difficult times, and special attention to supporting Ukraine.

Key points of the speech

  • Continuous support for rebuilding Ukraine's intellectual property and innovation system, which have been damaged due to the ongoing war, is necessary, and WIPO's role in providing this support is crucial.
  • The terrible military strikes on Ukrainian cities and their civilian infrastructure, including Monday's attack on a children's hospital, are a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. Estonia firmly condemns the unjustified and unprovoked war by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and will support Ukraine for as long as necessary.
  • Estonia expresses strong support for WIPO's activities that promote the smart use of intellectual property rights from the grassroots level and help bring intellectual property closer to the people.
  • Focusing these activities on SMEs and startups is crucial to ensure a strong, sustainable, and balanced intellectual property ecosystem where innovation can thrive.
  • Each year, the global innovation index compiled by WIPO is closely monitored at the highest level in Estonia.

The full version of the speech is available in the WIPO protocol.