The sixty-third series of meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will take place from 14 to 22 July at WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang opened this year’s meetings held in a hybrid format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In welcoming the delegates, Mr. Tang outlined the current state of the global intellectual property (IP) sphere, its main challenges, tasks and opportunities. WIPO Director General presented the world key indicators reflecting the development of innovation and creativity and described the WIPO activity and initiatives to support those processes. He also noted that the observed easing of the pandemic restrictions allowed to continue the normal work of WIPO’s bodies and committees, which gives hope for good progress in moving forward the outstanding IP issues.

The honorary first speech was delivered by the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, José Ulisses Coreya e Silva. He noted the importance of the country’s involvement in the international processes of formation and development of the field of IP and thanked for the support from WIPO.

Participants in the opening ceremony of the Assemblies highlighted the impact of the pandemic as a major challenge for healthcare innovation. Due to the current circumstances, the sustainable development agenda, clean energy and the green economy have been declared a priority.

The delegation of the Eurasian Patent Office will take part in the work of the Assemblies. EAPO President Grigory Ivliev will make a general statement and hold a number of bilateral meetings with heads of intellectual property offices. Meetings with WIPO Deputy Director General Lisa Jorgenson and Assistant Director General Marco Aleman will be held on the sidelines of the Assemblies.

At bilateral meetings, the parties will discuss the prospects for the implementation of joint educational projects, issues of improving regional mechanisms for resolving disputes in the field of intellectual property and developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of users of the Eurasian patent system.