WIPO China: WIPO Assistant Director General's Visit to China Focus on Intellectual Property, Traditional Cultural Expressions Protection, and Green Sustainable Development

On November 8, 2024, Mr. Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) wrapped up his 6-day visit to China, during which he attended several events in Shanghai and Wenzhou of Zhejiang Province.

2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE)

In Shanghai, Mr. Kwakwa attended the opening ceremony of the 2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5. Chinese Premier Mr. Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech, joined by the premiers of Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Serbia. WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and UNCTAD Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan addressed via video. About 1,500 leaders from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations, as well as representatives from the political, business, academic, and other sectors, attended the opening ceremony.

He participated in and delivered an opening speech at the Parallel Session of International Cooperation in Protecting IPR and Fighting Against IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting of the 7th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) on November 6.

In his speech, Mr. Kwakwa pointed out that under the challenges posed by new technologies and the digital environment, IPR infringements have become increasingly complex, and counterfeiting and piracy are causing severe harm to businesses and consumers. Therefore, a comprehensive and coordinated response is essential. WIPO aims to establish an effective and balanced IP enforcement ecosystem by assisting member states in developing awareness-raising activities, providing technical assistance, developing training materials, and undertaking impact-driven capacity-building activities.

He emphasized that fighting against counterfeiting and piracy presents both tremendous challenges and significant opportunities. Only through dialogue, sharing experiences, and taking concerted action can we better address the challenges, seize the opportunities, and protect the interests of entrepreneurs, creators, innovators, consumers, and countries around the world.

The Forum was jointly hosted by WIPO, Ministry of Commerce, State Administration for Market Regulation and the Global Alliance for Trade in Services, attracting over 280 Chinese and foreign participants.

Launching Ceremony of WIPO GREEN City Acceleration Project in Shanghai

Mr. Kwakwa attended the Launching Ceremony of WIPO GREEN City Acceleration Project in Shanghai on the afternoon of November 5 and delivered a speech. He highlighted that WIPO GREEN, a global green technology exchange platform launched by WIPO in 2013, has grown into the largest such platform within the UN system, featuring over 130,000 technologies from 140 countries. China's support for WIPO GREEN has been pivotal, contributing over 9,000 sustainable technologies (approximately 7% of the total).

Shanghai, a pioneer in green industry development, has made notable advancements in green technology innovation and environmental protection, emerging as a hub for green technology patents with several thousand applications in new energy, energy conservation, environmental protection, and green buildings. Shanghai's participation in the WIPO GREEN City Acceleration Project is crucial, as it will further expand its reach in green technology innovation and implementation, attracting international resources and collaborators.

Mr. Kwakwa emphasized that WIPO is willing to continue deepening its cooperation with China and invites enterprises, institutions, and other stakeholders to join WIPO GREEN, whether as providers, seekers, or advocates of green technologies and low-carbon initiatives, to harness human ingenuity and innovation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr. Kwakwa, Mr. Xie Wenlan, Deputy Director General of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and Mr. Yu Chen, Deputy Director General of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration, jointly unveiled the WIPO GREEN City Acceleration Project implemented in Shanghai. During the launch ceremony, representatives and experts from Shanghai Huayi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Fudan University, and East China Normal University also presented their green technology needs and achievements, and engaged in matchmaking sessions with green technology professionals.

International Symposium on Intellectual Property and Traditional Cultural Expressions

In Wenzhou, Mr. Kwakwa attended and addressed the International Symposium on Intellectual Property and Traditional Cultural Expressions hosted by WIPO and National Copyright Administration of China. He pointed out that traditional cultural expressions are integral to the cultural and social identities of indigenous peoples, local communities, ethnic groups and even the entire nations. Their protection and transmission are crucial for fostering creativity, preserving cultural diversity, and safeguarding cultural heritage. Many countries, such as China, possess rich traditional cultural expressions. The Chinese government is fully committed to advancing the intellectual property protection of these traditional cultural expressions, aiming to establish a balanced and efficient intellectual property ecosystem that stimulates innovation and creativity, particularly by empowering enterprises and ethnic groups to leverage intellectual property as a powerful tool for economic growth and sustainable development.

He also noted that in May of this year, after 25 years of negotiations, WIPO member states concluded the historic 27th treaty, known as the "Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge." Additionally, member states decided to reopen negotiations on an international legal instrument concerning traditional cultural expressions. This international seminar facilitated the exchange of information, the sharing of experiences, and in-depth discussions on key policy issues related to intellectual property and traditional cultural expressions. It deepened understanding of how to properly manage the intersection of intellectual property and traditional cultural expressions at the policy, legal, and practical levels in different regions, countries, and communities, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation and developmen.

Mr. Kwakwa also visited the Zhitong Art Museum, which is dedicated to the preservation, inheritance, and promotion of Ouplastic, a folk art form in Wenzhou. He also visited the Nan Huaijin Academy, established in honor of the renowned local scholar Nan Huaijin, and the Wenzhou Aopu Furniture Co., Ltd., which draws inspiration from and focuses on the local culture of Wenzhou.