IP for the Good of Everyone

2020 was a year like no other, as the world grappled with an unforeseen and devastating global crisis.
Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a terrible toll on lives and livelihoods. At the same time, it has transformed ways of working and living – accelerating and amplifying already existing trends towards digitalization, technology and the use of innovation and creativity as engines of growth.

Over the last year, we have begun an important shift in our communications approach, broadening out from a narrow direct dialogue with IP specialists to a wider conversation with the general public that raises awareness of IP’s potential to improve the lives of everyone, everywhere.

WIPO’s role as a convener of the global IP community has evolved rapidly in the face of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We adapted to provide new platforms for Member States to come together to shape the global IP ecosystem through the setting of norms and standards and the exchange of ideas and best practices. We also continued to strengthen our partnerships, to ensure that IP plays a part in helping us address complex global challenges.

When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in early 2020, the key priorities for WIPO were to ensure that the Global IP Services continued to function and to support users in the challenges they were facing. Despite the considerable challenges in pivoting to remote working for the first time in WIPO’s history, our personnel worked hard and creatively to adapt to this new way of working whilst ensuring that outputs and targets were maintained.
The digitalization of processes and communications was accelerated, and we also took steps to offer extensive legal relief to users struggling with deadlines. As a result of these measures, we were able to continue providing our users with our Global IP Services throughout the crisis.

IP is a powerful tool for growth and sustainable development, and acts as a catalyst for job creation, economic development and social vibrancy. By shifting the focus from the legal aspects of IP to its economic potential, WIPO is supporting national innovation and creative ecosystems that in turn drive growth and sustainable development.

Faced with the unanticipated and unprecedented situation of the current global health crisis, the past year has been challenging for the Organization and its staff as a whole. Throughout this period, WIPO has led its staff through crisis management, remote working, risk handling, redeployment of the workforce, safety and wellbeing – putting the “human” back into human resources (HR). While the impact on our way of working was dramatic, the measurable impact on financial performance was more limited and the financial situation of the Organization continues to be sound and stable.