WIPO Director General Addresses St. Petersburg International Legal Forum

April 17, 2020

In a video message to the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum 9 ½: The Rule of Corona which focused on the legal aspects of social life during the COVID-19 pandemic, WIPO Director General Francis Gurry highlighted the importance of innovation in tackling crises such as the ones posed by the pandemic, all while prioritizing health and safety.

Speaking at the opening of the three-day event on April 10-12, Mr. Gurry noted the unprecedented growth in the use of intellectual property which has been driven largely by innovation, as well as the emphasis placed on innovation by governments and the commercial sector around the world.

I think we will see a greater emphasis rather than a reduced emphasis on innovation and on intellectual property as a consequence” of the current Covid-19 crisis

WIPO Director General Francis Gurry

Watch the Director General’s full video address on Youtube.

Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and other senior Russian and international officials also addressed the Forum which was held online this year.