Director General Visits Monaco, Discusses IP and “Blue Economy”, Entrepreneurship
November 4, 2022
WIPO Director General Daren Tang met with top officials and a range of other stakeholders to discuss how intellectual property (IP) can support the further development of Monaco’s “blue economy” and entrepreneurship during a two day visit to the Principality on November 2-3, 2022.
Mr. Tang and H. S.H Prince Albert II discussed how IP can support marine research, ocean conservation and the development of the "blue economy." Monaco’s expertise in this area was further reinforced with a visit to the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM) which specializes in research connected to marine, medical and polar biology and has deep expertise in R&D related to corals.
Other themes covered in the meeting with the Prince related to the role of IP in supporting post-pandemic recovery, the importance of IP-backed finance for a balanced IP ecosystem and the need to focus on innovation education for youth.
To advance this, Mr. Tang signed a memorandum of understanding with the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Jean Castellani, to develop impactful projects in areas such as IP training and capacity building, legislative advice and IP financing.
The Director General underlined that the development of joint initiatives in the framework of this new agreement will lead to meaningful projects that can result in concrete results for Monegasque stakeholders. Minister Castellini said it was indispensable for the Principality to position itself in the international arena as a State focused on innovation. The Director General congratulated the Minister for Monaco’s initiatives to build back better in the post pandemic era through its efforts in developing the green economy and digitalization.
The Director General Tang also met with Minister of State (Prime Minister) Pierre Dartout, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Director of the Business Development Agency Stéphan Bruno. In the course of these meetings, the Monegasque authorities reiterated that the Principality of Monaco is committed to place IP at the heart of its development strategy.
At the “Pôle de Propriété Intellectuelle” (Monaco’s IP Office), Mr. Tang met the Director Jean Pierre Santos and his team. The DG emphasized that IP plays a fundamental role in the journey from ideas to the market, and IP Offices are essential to accompany innovators and creators in this journey and to bring innovation to the heart of every business initiative.
Harnessing entrepreneurship was another key theme of the Director General’s visit. At the startup incubator MonacoTech, Mr. Tang stressed the importance of IP in supporting ideas to move to the market. He met with Director Lionel Galfré and Deputy Director Sandrine Sauval and two innovative local firms: Novetech Surgery, which offers novel solutions for veterinarians, and Coraliotech, which develops coral products for human health.
Given the importance Monaco has placed on developing the digital economy, the Director General met with the Interministerial Delegate in charge of Digital Transition, Mr. Frédéric Genta to discuss the role that IP and WIPO can play in this crucial transition to a digital future. With Mr. Christophe Pierre, Director of Platforms and Digital Resources, and Mr. Julien Dejanovic, Director of Digital Service at the Inter-ministerial Delegation for Digital Transition (DITN), Mr. Tang explored how IP can become an enabler for a adding value and enhancing digital transformation of different economic sectors.
Mr. Tang also had the opportunity to tour the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and met with eminent scientists as Prs. Allemand, Tambuté and Picco, specialized in research connected to marine and medical biology with ongoing cutting-edge R&D interfacing strongly with IP.
In his meeting with the Director of Cultural Affairs, Ms. Francoise Gamerdinger and Secretary-General of the Ministry of the Interior, Ms. Florence Ferrari, Mr. Tang discussed Monaco’s upcoming legislative agenda, the possible role of WIPO in providing legislative assistance, the importance of demystifying copyright and WIPO tools in supporting performers, such as WIPO for Creators.
In closing his visit, Director General Tang had the chance to tour the remarkable Oceanographic Museum, part of the Oceanographic Institute, where he paid homage to the scientific legacy of H.S.H Prince Albert the I, founder of this institution, which offers a thriving testimonial to the long-standing engagement of Monaco with biodiversity conservation.
Ambassador Carole Lanteri, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, accompanied the Director General on the visit.