Antigua and Barbuda's commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property took centre stage this week as 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 Observer, Freeland delivered the country's official statement, highlighting recent national achievements in intellectual property, digital transformation and business development, while reaffirming the government's dedication to innovation as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Freeland opened by congratulating WIPO Director General Daren Tang on his reappointment, commending his leadership and the organization'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.
The Minister 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 led to the registration of the country's first three collective trademarks in 2024 and helped bring premium honey products from the Antigua and Barbuda Beekeepers' Co-operative to market — including Antigua and Barbuda Wildflower Honey and Barbuda Logwood Honey.
"This initiative has contributed to increased consumer interest in the Cooperative and its honey products, while significantly expanding the digital reach of the ABBC," Freeland stated. He added that the project's completion demonstrated the value of intellectual property in generating economic opportunities for small producers and strengthening local brands internationally.
Freeland also highlighted efforts to equip entrepreneurs with tools to protect and commercialise their ideas, pointing 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.
The Minister outlined ongoing work to modernise the country's intellectual property infrastructure through the introduction of WIPO's electronic filing platform. "We are grateful for these valuable developments as we aim to optimize user engagement," he noted.
Freeland 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, explored the relationship between intellectual property and sporting achievement.
He further announced that Antigua and Barbuda is advancing plans to establish a state-of-the-art Cricket West Indies campus and cricket museum, while expanding intellectual property awareness through a national art competition for primary and secondary school students.
Freeland closed by thanking 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," he said.
