Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO - Sixtieth Series of Meetings
This UK statement was delivered at the Sixtieth Series of Meetings in Geneva
The Assembly takes place in Geneva.
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The United Kingdom aligns itself with the Group B statement. We commend H.E. Ambassador Zniber, the Chairman of the WIPO General Assemblies, H.E. Ambassador Rivasseau, the Chair of the Coordination Committee, Dr Francis Gurry, WIPO Director General, and all other colleagues who have made it possible for this important session of the WIPO Assemblies to proceed in these unique and unprecedented times.
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We would like to take this opportunity to thank DG Gurry for his long lasting dedication to intellectual property in general and to the World Intellectual Property Organization in particular. We look forward to reflecting fully upon the twelve years of his leadership and accomplishments during the sixty-first series of meetings of WIPO Assemblies scheduled for September 2020.
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This delegation would like to congratulate Mr Daren Tang on his election and appointment as the next Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization. This is an important moment, commencing a transition period from one leadership of this organisation to another. In this regard, the UK wishes to thank the chairs and vice-chairs of the General Assembly and the Coordination Committee, Director General Gurry, as well as the WIPO Legal Counsel and his team for guiding us through the electoral process.
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The decisions made during this transition period will inevitably affect the functioning of the organisation under the new leadership. Therefore, we anticipate that the DG Elect will participate in discussions to enable a smooth transition on 1 October and ensure that this important organisation functions well in the years to come.
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The UK delegation sees numerous challenges and opportunities going forward. The fundamental elements underlying the success of the WIPO are keeping the organisation, the international IP system and the IP narrative fit for purpose.
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Fit for purpose for businesses to secure international protection effectively. We wish to engage in a discussion on a vision of the international IP system in 10 years and beyond. This includes clear pathways that enable services to be provided digitally from end-to end, as well as enhancing document-sharing services like the DAS. The current COVID-19 crisis poses both challenges as well as opportunities in this sense.
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Fit for purpose for a robust IP narrative that informs complex discourse on global innovation and creativity. We call for a strong WIPO engagement strategy encompassing the use of its convening power as well as its knowledge base and resources. In our view, this will help deliver on the organisation’s core mandate “to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world” for both IP stakeholders and global decision makers.
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Fit for purpose for practitioners and policy makers around the globe to develop sound policies and advice. The UK welcomes the efforts so far on understanding the impact of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies relating to intellectual property. This delegation wishes to continue and strengthen this work stream going forward.
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Fit for purpose for Member States and the organisational structure to govern the WIPO well. We will continue to stress the importance of the principles of accountability, transparency, ethics, independence, as well as efforts to minimise the organisation’s environmental footprint. Likewise, we wish to discuss the current structure of WIPO committees and potential improvements.
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The UK wishes Mr. Tang great success in his new role as Director General and looks forward to cooperating closely with him and his team in the coming six years.