Qatar Hosts Pioneering International Conference on IP Rights and FDI Enhancement Through Mediation and Arbitration

Doha, June 3 – The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) of Qatar, in partnership with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), organized the International Mediation and Arbitration Conference. The event was held under the theme "Examining the correlation between strong Intellectual Property rights protection and increased FDI inflows."

HE Mohammed bin Hassan Al Malki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the conference’s significance as the first of its kind in the region. He highlighted the successful cooperation between Qatar and WIPO as a driving force behind the event.

Al Malki described the conference as a strategic milestone in Qatar’s efforts to cultivate a culture and system of intellectual property rights protection. He noted that IP rights constitute a cornerstone of economic activity and represent critical intangible assets for both national and foreign companies operating within Qatar.

The conference also serves as a platform to enhance collaboration with international economic organizations, particularly WIPO, which actively participated to advance shared objectives.

Addressing the importance of intellectual property rights protection for economic initiatives, Al Malki underscored Qatar’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to foreign investment. This includes the development of skilled enforcement personnel and the establishment of legal frameworks supporting alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Qatar’s Law No. 2 of 2017, governing arbitration, was cited as a key legislative measure designed to provide a secure environment for resolving commercial disputes, especially those involving foreign investors.

With growing interest in IP rights, Qatar has intensified efforts to implement effective ADR mechanisms tailored specifically for intellectual property disputes. This initiative led to a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MOCI and WIPO focused on resolving IP disputes through mediation and arbitration.

The MoU also includes provisions for training arbitrators and mediators within Qatar, with aspirations to broaden the partnership and explore further cooperation avenues with WIPO.

The conference attracted a diverse group of participants, including experts and specialists in intellectual property rights, arbitration, and mediation, alongside government officials from the Middle East, policymakers, legal professionals, academics, industry leaders, representatives from international organizations, and investor communities.

On the sidelines of the conference, HE Al Malki met with Marco Aleman, Assistant Director-General of WIPO, to review ongoing cooperation and discuss strengthening the partnership between Qatar and WIPO.

Al Malki expressed Qatar’s appreciation for WIPO’s support in developing national intellectual property policies and systems, particularly in advancing the national IP strategy and implementing signed MoUs.

He reaffirmed Qatar’s ongoing commitment to supporting WIPO’s efforts to develop a balanced and effective international intellectual property system that fosters innovation and creativity for global benefit.

The International Mediation and Arbitration Conference aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise, knowledge, and cooperation among specialists in intellectual property rights, mediation, arbitration, and foreign direct investment within the Middle East.

Sessions at the conference focused on how governments can enhance investment attractiveness, stimulate economic growth, and promote technology transfer through robust intellectual property frameworks and effective dispute resolution mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on the Middle Eastern context.