Iran and Kazakhstan Forge Joint Working Group to Boost Intellectual Property Cooperation

Iran’s State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Property head Hassan Babaei and Kazakhstan’s Minister of Justice Sarsembayev Yerlan have agreed to form a joint working group to advance bilateral cooperation on intellectual property (IP). This agreement was reached on the sidelines of the Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), held from July 7 to 15 at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The joint working group is tasked with following up on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Iran and Kazakhstan. It will coordinate joint programs and expand specialized cooperation in IP matters, aiming to translate bilateral agreements into operational plans and tangible outcomes.

Both officials discussed strategies to enhance technical and international interactions between their countries. They reviewed recent achievements in IP registration, legal protection, and development, emphasizing the importance of exchanging expertise and knowledge.

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Justice, Yerlan, praised Iran’s extensive history and valuable experience in drafting IP laws and implementing protection systems. He highlighted the importance of leveraging Iran’s legal expertise and operational accomplishments to bolster Kazakhstan’s IP framework.

Yerlan also underscored the historical, cultural, and civilizational ties between the two nations, expressing optimism that the MOU would facilitate the growth of specialized relations, joint research projects, and increased experience sharing.

From Iran’s perspective, Hassan Babaei emphasized that the working group would help convert agreements into actionable plans. He confirmed Iran’s readiness to utilize the full spectrum of its Intellectual Property Center’s specialized, educational, and operational resources to fulfill the MOU’s objectives.

Babaei detailed that the MOU covers multiple areas, including the exchange of legal and legislative expertise, sharing specialized IP knowledge, conducting educational courses, empowering businesses through geographical indications, developing expert-level cooperation, and enhancing institutional capacities in both countries.

He further noted the potential benefits of collaboration within international committees such as the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP), the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT), the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP), and the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC). Such cooperation is expected to advance the shared interests of Iran and Kazakhstan on the global stage.

Babaei also highlighted Iran’s digital transformation initiatives, including the adoption of modern technologies, digitization and automation of registration processes, expansion of electronic services, and enhancement of digital infrastructure. He suggested that these areas offer promising opportunities for expertise exchange and joint projects between the two countries.

In a related development during the WIPO meetings, Babaei held discussions with WIPO Director General Daren Tang. They reviewed recent progress in Iran’s IP system and explored avenues to strengthen cooperation.

Babaei outlined Iran’s plans for 2025, including signing the WIPO treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources, and associated traditional knowledge, as well as acceding to the Vienna and Strasbourg Agreements. These steps demonstrate Iran’s commitment to deeper integration within the international IP framework.

He also pointed to the implementation of Iran’s new Industrial Property Law as a significant advancement. The law aligns with international standards and obligations, modernizing the registration and protection of industrial property rights.

Supporting the IP and innovation ecosystem remains a key priority for Iran. Babaei stressed the importance of developing specialist capacities, expanding IP services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and fostering stronger links among registration authorities, academia, businesses, and innovation stakeholders.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang acknowledged Iran’s rich cultural heritage and scientific capabilities. He emphasized the value of harnessing these strengths to develop Iran’s IP system and enhance collaboration between WIPO and Iran. Tang also expressed WIPO’s readiness to deepen technical cooperation with the country.

The agreement to establish the joint working group follows high-level talks in Astana in December 2025, during which Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian witnessed the signing of several key intergovernmental documents, further solidifying bilateral relations in the IP domain.