The OEPM at the WIPO General Assemblies

One more year, on October 4-8, 2021, the “WIPO Assemblies” took place in Geneva (Switzerland). The Spanish delegation participated with representatives of the permanent mission of Spain in Geneva and the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM). This year was on a hybrid format, but there was a high degree of presence.

This event is possibly the most important in the field of Intellectual Property (IP) at the international level since it brings together government delegates from the 193 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Daren Tang, WIPO Director General, opened the sessions and highlighted the Organization's new strategic orientation and the strength and professionalism demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The OEPM delegation, led by its Director, José Antonio Gil Celedonio, actively participated in the plenary discussions highlighting the importance of the Spanish language and multilingualism within WIPO. Likewise, it emphasized the importance of policies and good practices that promote the participation and contribution of women to the Industrial Property ecosystem and their coherence with WIPO's commitment to promote gender equality.

In addition, the OEPM held bilateral meetings with representatives of the national IP offices of Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, Tunisia, the Dominican Republic, Russia and Uruguay.

At the multilateral level, the Director of the OEPM participated in the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of the Ibero-American Industrial Property Program (IBEPI). Thus, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the IBEPI member states and the WIPO in order to use IP as a public policy tool for growth, and as an instrument for the competitiveness of the productive sectors, as well as the research and / or academic sectors involved, to promote the development of the Ibero-American member countries.

Lastly, it should be noted that among the decisions adopted in this series of meetings, the WIPO Member States approved the Organization's work program and budget for the 2022-2023 biennium.