The 61st Series of meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is taking place in the hybrid mode this year. The delegation of Georgia, headed by Mr. Mindia Davitadze, Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Centre of Georgia Sakpatenti, is participating in the event remotely. Mr. Mindia Davitadze delivered a statement addressing Mr. Daren Tang, Director General-Elect of WIPO, Mr. Francis Gurry, Director General of WIPO, and delegations of the 193 member states of WIPO.

“Honorable Chair, Excellences and Distinguished Delegates, as the Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Georgian Delegation.

Mr. Chairman, the Delegation of Georgia wishes to express its gratitude to you for your vigorous efforts in organizing WIPO General Assembly and in carrying out all the activities throughout the year. The Delegation of Georgia would also like to thank the Director General, as well as the Secretariat, for the work in preparing the documentation and for making all the necessary safety arrangements that made it possible to hold WIPO General Assembly despite current circumstances.

The Delegation of Georgia would like to congratulate, once again, Mr. Daren Tang on his election as the Director General and to wish him all the success in leading this organization. We are honored to state Georgia’s support and confidence in entrusting the Director General-elect with this immense responsibility in leading WIPO in these unprecedented times. 

The Delegation of Georgia thanks Director General Francis Gurry for supporting Georgia by his contribution to developing and strengthening the intellectual property system. We acknowledge the extraordinary accomplishments of WIPO over the last twelve years that has brought international cooperation under his guidance of this organization to a new level.

The Delegation of Georgia would like to use this opportunity to highlight and express gratitude for the ongoing efficient work by the Department for Transition and Developed Countries. Georgia highly benefits from cooperative activities carried out by the Department and we are looking forward to continuing fruitful collaboration.

On behalf of the delegation of Georgia, I would like to express sincere gratitude to the WIPO Academy for the excellent cooperation over the years. Moreover, we anticipate further continuous support for IP educational activities.

Finally, the Delegation of Georgia is looking forward to constructive session of the General Assemblies and to working with you Mr. Chairman, other delegations and regional groups.”

The main objective of the WIPO General Assembly is to define basic directions and priorities of the organization, international intellectual property policy and  to summarize the progress of the current year as well as to outline the future action plan. Fifty-Third (29th Extraordinary) Session of the WIPO General Assembly has been held on September 21 to September 25, 2020. During the 61st Series of Meetings, discussions concerned administrative issues, financial and institutional challenges. The delegates of the Member States were familiarized with the WIPO Program and Budget Report. The Agenda items also includes revision of the WIPO Treaties, the Madrid and Hague Systems, the Paris Union and Marrakesh Treaty.

Within the Assembly, discussion of the ongoing and future plans is scheduled. The Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Centre of Georgia Sakpatenti intends hold meetings with Mr. Daren Tang, Director General-Elect of WIPO, Mr. Sherif Saadallah, Executive Director of WIPO Academy, as well as with the Head of Department for Transition and Developed Countries. In addition, negotiations to the cooperation and implementation of joint projects are scheduled with the heads of the intellectual property offices of Turkey, Singapore and Moldova related.

WIPO is the United Nations agency that specializes in promoting innovation and creativity in various countries. It unites 193 member states. Georgia has been a member of WIPO since 1991. WIPO provides for its member states a forum to elaborate the global intellectual property policy and ensures the effective and balanced development of the international IP system. It supports the innovative and creative development of countries. Georgia is represented at WIPO by the National Intellectual Property Centre of Georgia Sakpatenti.