WIPO Director General Highlights IP’s Role in Economic Growth at 2023 Assemblies

The Sixty-Fourth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Member States convened with unprecedented attendance, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s history. In his opening address, WIPO Director General Daren Tang reflected on the progress made since his administration took office nearly three years ago, focusing on a renewed vision for IP as a driver of economic growth and development.

Tang recounted the collaborative effort with Member States to establish the Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP), which serves as a blueprint to reposition IP from a specialized technical subject to a practical tool empowering innovators and creators globally. This strategic shift aims to integrate IP into everyday enterprise activities, fostering entrepreneurship and market expansion.

Illustrating this vision in action, Tang shared the story of Ikhlas, a local artisan and entrepreneur from Jordan’s Petra region. Ikhlas is among 35 women participating in a WIPO-led intensive training and mentoring program designed to embed IP knowledge into their business practices. The group is preparing to launch a collective trademark, “Rose Hands,” inspired by the Petra morning sky, to protect their unique handicrafts from imitation and to open new market opportunities.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Ikhlas volunteers at the Al-Rajef Association for Special Education, where she applies her craft skills to support children with learning disabilities. Leveraging her newly acquired IP expertise, she is exploring ways to help the Association develop its own logo, demonstrating how IP education can extend benefits beyond commercial enterprises.

Tang emphasized that Ikhlas’s journey exemplifies WIPO’s commitment to bringing IP to the grassroots level, supporting innovators in diverse communities worldwide.

Addressing the broader global context, Tang noted that contrary to expectations, IP filings and activities demonstrated resilience and growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend reflects the increasing reliance of businesses and economies on innovation, technology, and digitalization—areas closely linked to IP.

Statistical highlights over the past three years include a 5 percent increase in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent filings, reaching over 278,000; an 8 percent rise in Madrid System trademark filings, totaling 69,000; and a 15 percent growth in Hague System design filings, surpassing 25,000. Much of this growth is driven by the dynamic China-Japan-Republic of Korea region, though increased IP activity is evident across multiple global regions.

Usage of both the PCT and Hague Systems hit record levels last year, while the caseload at WIPO’s Arbitration and Mediation Center more than doubled, fueled in part by a surge in domain name disputes.

Tang also pointed out shifting innovation trends: after a spike in health-related technologies in 2021, fields such as digital communication, computer technologies, and semiconductors regained their status as the fastest-growing areas in PCT filings. Similarly, trademark filings in pandemic-related categories like medical instruments declined, whereas those associated with the digital economy and retail sectors increased.

The Director General’s address underscored WIPO’s strategic focus on harnessing IP as a catalyst for sustainable economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship worldwide, reaffirming the organization’s role in shaping the future of global intellectual property policy and practice.