Georgia is Hosting the Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications

On June 14-16, the Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications is held in Georgia, organized jointly by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia – “Sakpatenti”. This is a global forum, which provides a platform for discussing challenges in international and national systems of protection of geographical indications, perspectives and sharing experience. Within this large-scale event, Tbilisi is hosting up to 300 representatives from 62 countries: Türkiye, Italy, France, Switzerland, USA, China, India, Cameroon and other countries. Along with this, up to 800 participants from various countries of the world will join the Symposium remotely.

The Symposium is attended by the management of the World Intellectual Property Organization, representatives of the Commission of the European Union and international organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), the global alliance of Geographical Indications Network (oriGIn), as well as the representatives of the Government and the Parliament  of Georgia, the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia,  state agencies and private sector. The Symposium is also attended by the heads of Intellectual Property offices, GI experts and sectoral specialists, scientists from leading universities of various countries. 

The Symposium was opened by Mr. Levan Davitashvili, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, followed by the opening address of Mr. Otar Shamugia, Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) joined the Symposium with a remote video address.  The opening address to the participants was also delivered by Ms. Wang Binying, Deputy Director General of WIPO. The introductory part of the Symposium was summarized by Mr. Soso Giorgadze, Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia – “Sakpatenti”, who highlighted the importance of the Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications, objectives and future prospects.  

At the event, sectoral specialists and other participants of the forum will discuss the role of geographical indications in economic development of countries and improvement of the social condition of the population. In addition, the agenda of the Symposium includes panel discussions, during which the challenges and opportunities that exist in branding of geographical indications in various countries will be addressed, new developments in geographical indications and the effects of the promotion of GIs on the development of the tourism sector will also be discussed. 

In the course of the Symposium, the exhibition of 64 Georgian geographical indications registered at Sakpatenti was opened, where cheese and wine varieties, mineral waters, Tkemali, Churchkhela, Chacha, Ninotsminda Honey, Kutaisi Greens and other special products are presented. The unique characteristics, high quality, specific features and reputation of these geographical indications products are attributable to the place of their origin and are due to the particular environment, climate, soil and the traditional knowledge of production preserved among the local population in different regions of Georgia.

The Symposium is taking place in Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace Hotel. One of the major events in the intellectual property field, held every two years, will facilitate promotion of unique Georgian products, occupying of a proper place on the international market and strengthening of the geographical indications system in Georgia. The Symposium will last two days.