Geographic Indications for Sustainable Development | 2022 CIFTIS Series Report III

September 7, 2022

On September 3, Ms. Liu Hua, Director of WIPO Office in China (WOC), attended the International Conference on Geographic Indication and Brand Distribution Service, which was held under the China International Fair for Trade In Services (CIFTIS), at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, and delivered an opening speech. Mr. Matteo Gragnani, Legal Officer at the Lisbon Registry of WIPO, made a video presentation.

Ms. Liu Hua pointed out that geographical indications(GIs) are one of the oldest forms of intangible property and an important form of intellectual property. As the UN specialized agency for intellectual property and innovation, WIPO is committed to the protection of appellations of origin and GIs via the followings: First, providing international registration and protection for GIs through the Madrid and Lisbon Systems it administers in an economic, convenient and efficient manner; Second, as a policy forum, facilitating dailogue between stakeholders to promote the accession of more member countries to the Lisbon System; Third, providing a free database of registered appellations of origin and GIs to the public through Lisbon Express; and Fourth, organizing global symposiums on GIs and a series of webinars on the Lisbon System on a regular basis, to promote and introduce the importance of GIs and the protection offered by the Lisbon System.

Ms. Liu said that protection of GIs has become an effective path for China to promote rural revitalisation and take the road to common development. GI products such as "Sangzhi Zongzi Leaves" and "Shangdu Celery" have become an effective means to eliminate poverty, increase income and achieve green development in local areas. China, being abundant in land, resources and history, have produced a large number of GI products with strong regional characteristics, which have the potential to enter the international market for the benefit of global consumers. WIPO wishes to collaborate with China on GI protection, promoting Chinese GI products to the world market through WIPO's global registration systems. As an extension of WIPO in China, the WOC will continue to provide more effective, timely and targeted services to Chinese users, helping China to use IP to further promote sustainable economic and social development.

Mr. Matteo Gragnani mentioned that the most significant advantage of the Lisbon System lies in its accessibility, easiness, convenience, efficiency and globalness. China, possessing plentiful GI products that are visible and reputable worldwide, has unreleased potential in GI development. WIPO looks forward to cooperating with China in the protection of GIs and promoting Chinese GI products to the world through the Lisbon system.

As an important component of the CIFTIS 2022, the Conference, themed Collaborative development leads to a win-win situation, was jointly organized by the World Trade Point Federation, the WOC, the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Intellectual Property Office (BMIPO) and the Beijing Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperation. Mr. Zhang Zhicheng, Director General of IP Protection Department of China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), and Mr. Yang Dongqi, Director General of the BMIPO, attended and addressed the event. Mr. Bruno Masier, President of the World Trade Point Federation, delivered a video speech.

Mr. Zhang Zhicheng said that the CNIPA will endeavour to further enhance the legal protection for GIs, improve the GI management system, amplify the cultural connotation and strengthen international collaboration so as to leverage GIs as a tool to achieve qualify life for the citizens and quality development for the country.

Mr. Yang Dongqi said that Beijing is making endeavors to reform the GI management system, providing institutional basis for GI protection and management, enabling the codependency between GI protection and local industries and backing the construction of a new economic ecosystem of the capital city.

Mr. Bruno Masier said that the protection of GIs and the active promotion of local brands can not only promote the transformation and upgrading of the agricultural structure, but also promote employment and local economic development, help eradicate poverty and achieve rural revitalization, and implement the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

After the Conference, Ms. Liu, Director of the WOC, Mr. Zhang, Director General of IP Protection Department of CNIPA and Mr. Yang, Director General of BMIPO, jointly visited the IP Protection Office of the CIFTIS 2022.

About the CIFTIS

China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) is an event co-sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Beijing Municipal People's Government. CIFTIS has been successfully held for eight sessions and was upgraded to a national level exhibition in 2020. It has become the global largest comprehensive fair for trade in services and the leading fair for trade in services in China.