Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Michael Freeland, is representing Antigua and Barbuda at the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland, running from July 7 to 15.
Ahead of the formal opening, Minister Freeland participated in the Informal Ministerial Policy Dialogue on Monday, July 6, under the theme "Bridge Builders: Innovation and Creativity Driving Future Societies." The high-level forum brought together ministers and senior government officials from across the globe to explore how innovation, intellectual property and creativity can drive sustainable development and future economic growth.
Throughout the week-long assemblies, Minister Freeland joins delegates from WIPO's member states in discussions covering a broad range of intellectual property matters, including copyright, trademarks, patents, geographical indications, innovation, and global intellectual property governance. The assemblies also provide a platform for member states to strengthen international cooperation and advance policies that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness.
As part of Antigua and Barbuda's official programme, Minister Freeland is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with WIPO Director General Daren Tang, participate in a Ministerial Meeting of Caribbean States, and attend several technical meetings aimed at strengthening the country's intellectual property framework.
Those technical discussions will focus on advancing legislation relating to plant varieties, upgrading Antigua and Barbuda's Industrial Property Automation System (IPAS), introducing online filing systems, modernising trademark procedures through the Madrid System, and promoting new copyright legislation and intellectual property awareness initiatives.
The WIPO Assemblies serve as the organisation's highest decision-making forum, drawing more than 1,000 delegates from governments, international organisations and intellectual property offices worldwide to shape global intellectual property policy and review the organisation's work programme.
