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Impact-oriented Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: Factors for Success and Lessons Learned

April 26, 2024

What makes technical assistance and capacity building programs successful? What are the takeaways for implementing programs with developmental impact?  Our webinar, held on April 11, 2024, explored the answers from national, regional, and international perspectives.

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A Webinar on “Impact-oriented Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: Factors for Success and Lessons Learned” took place on April 11, 2024, with more than 645 attendees from more than 116 different countries. The session was moderated by Mr. Georges Ghandour, Senior Counsellor of the Development Agenda Coordination Division of WIPO, who emphasized the Organization’s commitment to providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to Member States, in light of WIPO’s vision of making IP a powerful tool for the social, economic, and cultural development of every country.

Ms. Beatriz Amorim-Borher, Director of WIPO’s Division for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), reiterated the continued efforts displayed by the LAC Division and WIPO’s Regional and National Development Sector to promote IP to face global challenges and achieve development in all regions, especially in the least developed countries. In particular, Ms. Amorim-Borher shared factors of success and lessons learned, emphasizing the efforts in piloting and exploring new areas, partners and stakeholders to widen the possibilities in which the Organization can provide technical assistance and capacity-building support.

Afterwards, Her Excellency Patricia Benedetti, Ambassador of El Salvador to the World Trade Organization and WIPO, highlighted how WIPO’s Technical Assistance has had a multiplier effect in El Salvador, as many of the projects focused on training trainers to achieve more self-sustainability. Ambassador Benedetti also focused on the importance of WIPO as a strategic partner for the economic growth in El Salvador.

The Webinar continued with the presentation of Mr. Thang Luong, Head of the Competition, Consumer, Protection and IPR Division of the Market Integration Directorate Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat.  Mr. Luong underlined that WIPO has been actively engaged with ASEAN countries providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to strengthen IP systems and contributing to the social and economic growth of the region.  Mr Luong mentioned that WIPO has provided technical assistance in 37 out of 57 (65%) deliverables from the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2016-2025.

The Webinar concluded with the presentation delivered by Mr. Timothy Moalusi, Companies and Intellectual Property Authority of Botswana, who shared his experience on how WIPO’s technical assistance has contributed to developing and strengthening the IP system in Botswana. Mr. Moalusi emphasized the importance of tailoring technical assistance to the needs of each country or region. He also spoke about the crucial role of the high-level commitment from the governments, and better stakeholder engagement to ensure long-lasting effects after finishing technical assistance projects and offering capacity-building support.

In summary, the experts’ presentations focused on the following:

  • It is fundamental to tailor technical assistance and capacity-building support according to the needs of each country or region.
  • In addition to providing advice, technical assistance should also assist in implementing solutions to ensure sustainability of the results.
  • Technical assistance should be demand-driven and development-oriented.
  • Although technical assistance addresses immediate needs, it also contributes to economic, cultural, and social development by building sustainable systems and capacities.

This Webinar is part of a series of sessions aiming to underline WIPO’s focus on the development and creation of tangible benefits through its technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives, organized following a decision by the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP).

The full session is available in English, French and Spanish via WIPO Webcast.

The series will continue. Stay tuned!