WIPO Director General meets Prime Ministerof Cote d'Ivoire
Geneva, April 12, 2002
Press Updates UPD/2002/162
The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, discussed with the Prime Minister of the Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. N'Guessan Affi, the critical importance of the intellectual property system as a tool for wealth creation, social advancement and cultural development during an official visit to Abidjan on 8 and 9 April, 2002. Dr. Idris pledged WIPO's continued assistance in supporting Cote d'Ivoire's efforts to strengthen its intellectual property system. The Prime Minister also presented Dr. Idris with his country's highest distinction.
In talks with the Prime Minister, Dr. Idris highlighted the strategic importance of the intellectual property system in attracting foreign direct investment, in building business competitiveness, enhancing market access, and in harnessing the benefits of a nation's rich cultural heritage. Mr. Affi expressed his government's commitment to intellectual property, which he said was of direct interest to Cote D'Ivoire in capturing the value of its rich cultural heritage and in meeting its development goals. Dr. Idris assured the Prime Minister of WIPO's support in the areas of intellectual property legislation, institution and capacity building, and human resources development. Discussions covered innovation promotion, the importance of intellectual property to research and development, the relevance of intellectual property to traditional knowledge and folklore, and collective management of copyright. Other issues included the intellectual property implications of electronic commerce and strategic use of intellectual property assets by small and medium-sized enterprises. The question of teaching intellectual property at Abidjan University was also explored.
The Prime Minister presented Dr. Idris with a medal representing his country's highest distinction, Commandeur dans l'Ordre du Merite Nationale, in recognition of the Director General's contribution to promoting development and social progress. Dr. Idris thanked the Prime Minister for this gesture and assured him of WIPO's continued support.
During his visit, Dr. Idris also opened a regional seminar on intellectual property and the protection of expressions of folklore and traditional knowledge. The Director General presented an overview of the relevance of the intellectual property system to traditional knowledge. On the sidelines of the meeting, the Director General was received by the Chairperson of the Seminar and First Lady of Cote d'Ivoire, Mrs. Simone Gbagbo. The First Lady of Rwanda, Mrs. Jeanette Kagame, was also present at the opening of the seminar.
During his visit, the Director General also met with Mr. Abdoudramane Sangaré, Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Alain Cocauthrey, Minister of Industry and Promotion of the Private Sector. These talks focused on ways to further strengthen cooperation between WIPO and Cote d'Ivoire and how best to support national efforts to enhance the intellectual property system.
For further information, please contact the Media Relations & Public Affairs Section at WIPO:
Tel: +4122-3388161/3389547;
Email: publicinf@wipo.int
Fax: +4122-3388810.