WIPO Director General Pledges WIPO’s Support in Efforts to Strengthen Innovation Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia
October 3, 2023
WIPO Director General Daren Tang, wrapping up a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on October 3, 2023, pledged WIPO’s support to the Government’s cross-sectoral efforts to use innovation, creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship to develop and grow.
This supports Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious project launched by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country. At midpoint in this initiative, Saudi Arabia’s economy is already showing signs of transformation - reforms have already been implemented to reduce oil dependence, diversify income sources and enhance competitiveness.
Bilateral Meetings
During his visit, Mr. Tang held a series of meetings with top Government officials and other stakeholders and saw firsthand how Saudi Arabia is translating its Vision 2030 into concrete results.
The reliance on innovation as a driver of future growth was a key theme in his meetings, including with Mr. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Mr. Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, Mr. Mohammed bin Abdulmalek Al-Sheikh, Minister of State, Chairman of the Saudi Authority for IP (SAIP) Board of Directors and Mr. Sami Ibrahim Alhussaini, Governor of the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at).
SAIP has played a key role in the Vision 2023 initiative. In the five years since its establishment, and under the leadership of CEO Abdulaziz AlSwailem, SAIP has transformed from an IP registry to an innovation agency.
At a meeting at SAIP headquarters, Mr. Tang met with SAIP officials who presented the various strands of their work and demonstrated how SAIP’s strategy is central in the realization of Vision 2030. The launch of the country’s first national IP strategy last year was also an important milestone towards the realization of the vision.
In all discussions, the Director General said that IP will acquire increasing importance with time as a result of the diversification and digitization of the economy. He pledged that WIPO will continue to support Saudi Arabia in its ambitions to diversify its economy and build an innovation ecosystem that will support future generations in realizing their full potential.
WIPO Support Cemented in Agreements
Mr. Tang signed an agreement with Mr. AlSwailem of SAIP and Mr. Farid bin Ali Alghamedi, President of Umm al-Qura University, to establish WIPO’s first Joint Master’s Program in the Arab region. This landmark degree will strengthen the links between innovation and entrepreneurship through the delivery of high-quality IP education.
“By launching a new Joint Master’s Degree in IP, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, WIPO will help build the skills and expertise needed to navigate the fast-changing tech and innovation landscape around us, ” Mr. Tang said, noting “As our first Joint Master’s in the Arab region, it is also an important milestone in WIPO’s efforts to bring IP to all parts of the world, and we hope that this will be the first step in a long and fruitful collaboration with Umm Al-Qura.”
The importance of integrating IP education in school curricula in general was one of the key themes raised in meetings with Government officials during the visit.
The Director General also signed an agreement with SAIP on alternative dispute resolution (ADR). As IP continues to move from the periphery to the center of more and more economies, it is inevitable that IP disputes will become a feature of the commercial landscape. He said the agreement will not only strengthen the Kingdom's ADR system, but enhance and raise IP awareness more broadly.
“These two agreements underscore WIPO’s close and constructive relationship with Saudi Arabia, as well as our shared commitment to leveraging innovation, creativity, and IP for the good of all,” Mr. Tang said at the signing ceremony.
Moreover, the Director General signed an agreement with Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr CEO of NEOM and the CEO of SAIP on establishing trilateral cooperation between WIPO, SAIP and NEOM on innovation and IP. NEOM is a green megacity that promises to redefine the concept of urban development. WIPO will help embed innovation and creativity as part of the core ethos of NEOM.
WIPO Sub-Regional Workshop on the Enforcement
During his visit to Riyadh, Mr. Tang opened the WIPO Sub-Regional Workshop on the Enforcement of Intellectual Property for Law Enforcement Officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) organized in cooperation with SAIP and the Japan Patent Office.
The Director General noted that GCC countries were among the standout performers in this year’s WIPO’s Global Innovation Index (GII). On average, GCC economies have climbed 13 spots in just the past four years, demonstrating how diversification is paying dividends. Enforcement is key to ensuring that innovation driven development is not derailed.
“Just as IP rights promote investment in research and innovation, IP infringement undermines innovation and devalues creativity. The cost is not just economic. IP infringement weakens societies as well, threatens wellbeing, and undermines sustainable development. We know, for instance, that IP crime is closely linked to other illegal activities, and that counterfeit goods pose a serious risk to public health,” Mr. Tang said.
The Director General underlined that tackling an issue as complex as IP infringement requires a collaborative and comprehensive approach. That’s why WIPO pursues a multi-pronged approach, which involves raising public awareness of IP protection and its enforcement, providing legislative assistance to Member States, and capacity-building activities.