Riyadh, October 03, 2023, "In a series of high-profile meetings, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang, concluded his visit to the Kingdom with a strong focus on advancing collaboration and forging future partnerships between WIPO and Saudi Arabia.
During his visit, Tang engaged in discussions with key Saudi officials, including Mr. Mohammed bin Abdul Malik Al Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), Mr. Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mr. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, and General Sami bin Ibrahim Al-Husseini, Governor of Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, Monsha'at. These meetings underscored the commitment to strengthening ties and fostering synergy between WIPO and the Kingdom.
One significant development during the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Swailem, CEO of SAIP, and Prof. Farid Al-Ghamdi, President of Umm Al-Qura University, with Director Tang. This agreement aims to facilitate the development of human resources through collaborative master's programs focusing on intellectual property and entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, SAIP and NEOM, the futuristic city project in Saudi Arabia, announced a letter of intent with WIPO, outlining their joint efforts to enhance the intellectual property system. This initiative seeks to nurture innovation and creativity for the benefit of future generations.
Another noteworthy agreement emerged from the visit: SAIP and WIPO formalized a memorandum of understanding to empower and support alternative mechanisms for resolving intellectual property disputes. This approach aims to streamline rights enforcement procedures, thereby alleviating the burden on judicial authorities, and fostering a more efficient intellectual property ecosystem.
In conclusion, Director General Daren Tang's visit to Saudi Arabia marked a pivotal moment in strengthening the partnership between WIPO and the Kingdom. The commitment to cooperation and innovation in the field of intellectual property promises a brighter future for both parties and the global intellectual property landscape."
