The delegation of the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO) headed by President Saule Tlevlessova participated in the 2018 High Level Conference on Intellectual Property for Countries along the Belt and Road, held in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China, on 28-29 August, 2018.

The Conference was organized by China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the successor in title of the State Intellectual Property Office of PRC (SIPO) jointly with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), with the participation of the PRC state organizations like the Ministry of Commerce, the National Copyright Administration and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality.

High level representatives of intellectual property offices from 52 states took part in the Conference, among others, the Eurasian Patent Convention (EAPC) Member States, as well as five international organizations, among them – the Eurasian and European Patent Offices.

PRC State Council Premier Wang Yong opened the Conference, where delivered China President Xi Jinping’s welcoming address to the participants. WIPO Director General Francis Gurry made a welcoming speech.

PRC State Council Premier Wang Yong

After the opening of the event, EAPO President S. Tlevlessova, as part of the delegation of high-ranking guests of the Conference, took part in a meeting with Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang. An exchange of views took place on the importance of intellectual property for enhancing the technology transfer and stimulating the economic development of the countries participating in the One Belt, One Road initiative.

Conference participants at the residence of the Premier of the State Council of China

Within the framework of the conference program, EAPO President delivered a speech in the Plenary Session. Ms. Tlevlessova noted the continuity of the heritage of the Great Silk Road connecting ancient civilizations in the One Belt, One Road initiative and the leading role of China in the region not only in the development of economic partnership, but also in the use of intellectual property. At the same time, EAPO President reminded the participants of the Conference about China’s successful experience in state support of the national intellectual property system and introduction of economic strategies on innovation.

Speaking about the state of affairs in the field of intellectual property in the countries of the Eurasian region, EAPO President noted the efforts of the EAPC Member States to transfer economies to the innovative path, to develop the national intellectual property systems and to preserve the scientific and technical school that these countries have inherited from their common historical past.

President Tlevlessova shortly characterized the specifications of the Eurasian patent system and the advantages of the Eurasian patent. Ms. Tlevlessova referred to the statistical data showing the use of the Eurasian patent system by applicants from countries, main trading partners of the region, for the protection of their investments.

A presentation film about the Eurasian Patent Organization was demonstrated in the course of the EAPO President’s speech, making the participants of the conference acquainted with the Member States of the Organization and the activities of the Eurasian Patent Office.