Division for Transition and Developed Countries

The Division for Transition and Developed Countries is responsible for providing support to improve the participation of Central European and Baltic States, Central Asian, Eastern European and Caucasian countries, as well as some Mediterranean countries, in the international intellectual property system. The Division also works to ensure these states share in the economic and social benefits of innovation and creativity. This is achieved in many ways, including by improving opportunities to make the most of creative and innovative potential, and by enhancing foreign investment and technology transfer activities.

In terms of developed countries, the Division is focused on strengthening institutional relations with these countries. It also works on improving the coordination, promotion and delivery of WIPO services and programs in developed countries.

In bringing WIPO services and initiatives closer to the stakeholders the Division collaborates closely with IP Offices, SMEs and other enterprises, Universities and research institutions as well as individual creators and innovators.

Our activities include:

• Providing support to countries in transition in order to assist them in creating and adjusting national intellectual property (IP) strategies, and providing advice on how to tailor such strategies to each government's economic and cultural strategy with respect to creativity and innovation;
• Developing and implementing capacity building and technical assistance cooperation plans with, and for, countries in transition;
• Developing WIPO studies and research in close coordination with other WIPO Units.
• Organizing roving seminars and webinars in developed countries that give a quick and comprehensive overview of WIPO services and initiatives; and
• Organizing and coordinating projects in transition and developed countries.