Antigua and Barbuda's growing reputation as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property took centre stage this week when Minister of State Michael Freeland addressed delegates from across the globe at the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.
According to Antigua.news, Freeland delivered the country's official statement, highlighting recent national achievements in intellectual property, digital transformation and business development, while reaffirming the government's commitment to innovation as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
The Minister opened by congratulating WIPO Director General Daren Tang on his reappointment, praising his leadership and the organisation's ongoing support for member states.
"Your inclusive and forward-looking leadership has made significant contributions to the advancement of WIPO's mandate and to the engagement of its Member States," Freeland said.
Freeland also acknowledged the support Antigua and Barbuda has received through WIPO's Build Back Fund, describing it as a transformative initiative for local producers. He noted that the programme resulted in the registration of the country's first three collective trademarks in 2024 and helped bring the Antigua and Barbuda Beekeepers' Co-operative's premium honey products — including Antigua and Barbuda Wildflower Honey and Barbuda Logwood Honey — to market.
"This initiative has contributed to increased consumer interest in the Cooperative and its honey products, while significantly expanding the digital reach of the ABBC," the Minister said.
Freeland described the project's completion as proof of intellectual property's power to create economic opportunities for small producers and strengthen local brands on the international stage.
The Minister also highlighted the country's efforts to equip entrepreneurs with the tools needed to protect and commercialise their ideas. He pointed to the 2025 Women Entrepreneurs in the Caribbean Mentorship Programme, which provided intellectual property training to 19 Antiguan and Barbudan women entrepreneurs.
"This initiative as a result has empowered our business community in the development of their products and services," he said.
On digital transformation, Freeland outlined ongoing efforts to modernise the country's intellectual property system through the introduction of WIPO's electronic filing platform, expressing gratitude for what he described as valuable developments aimed at optimising user engagement.
The Minister also highlighted Antigua and Barbuda's observance of World Intellectual Property Day 2026, held under the theme "IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate." A national symposium, hosted in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus and Cricket West Indies, examined the relationship between intellectual property and sporting achievement while showcasing the country's growing investment in sports development.
Freeland told delegates that Antigua and Barbuda is moving forward with plans to establish a state-of-the-art Cricket West Indies campus and cricket museum. He also highlighted the expansion of intellectual property awareness through a national art competition involving primary and secondary school students.
Concluding his address, the Minister thanked WIPO and its Latin America and Caribbean Bureau for their continued partnership.
"We remain committed to leveraging intellectual property as a catalyst for sustainable development for present and future generations," Freeland said.
Freeland's address formed part of Antigua and Barbuda's participation in the annual WIPO General Assemblies, where member states are engaged in discussions on the future of global intellectual property policy, innovation, technology and economic development.
