WIPO Academy and Dominican Republic Strengthen Cooperation on IP Education and Skills-building
April 3, 2024
WIPO Academy Executive Director, Mr. Sherif Saadallah, met with officials in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic from March 12 to 14, 2024 to build on the Academy’s commitment to support national intellectual property (IP) education and skills-building through the established Intellectual Property Training Institutions (IPTIs) in the country. Two IPTIs have been successfully established in the Dominican Republic with the National Industrial Property Office (ONAPI) and National Copyright Office (ONDA).
Past, present and future cooperation
The IPTIs in the Dominican Republic have been key players in the customized projects for priority audiences, and instrumental in the Academy’s partnerships with institutions across the country. The most recent cooperation projects focus on audiences such as women and youth.
The WIPO Academy will also support IPTI of ONAPI with the organization of a future regional workshop on the role of IP offices and other IPTIs in building the IP capacities of key economic sectors across Latin America.
Mr. Saadallah met with Ms. Alejandra Liriano, Ambassador and Academic Vice-Chancellor of the Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training of the Dominican Republic, to discuss the details of the IP for Diplomats Program to be implemented in collaboration with the IPTIs in the country. Mr. Saadallah also met with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Constitutional Court, including His Excellency Mr. Hugo Francisco Rivera, Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Rafael Nuñez, Department of Multilateral Negotiations, and Ms. Army Ferreira, Judge of the Constitutional Court, to address potential cooperation programs for higher institutions in the country.
Projects for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in priority domestic sectors were mentioned during a meeting with Her Excellency Ms. Vilma Arbaje de Contreras, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Coordinator of the Inter-ministerial Council of Intellectual Property at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs.
Lastly, WIPO Academy representatives participated in a meeting for the ongoing project on IP and Gastronomic Tourism implemented in Latin America and the Dominican Republic. The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Tourism; ONAPI; ONDA; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMSs among others.