Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Michael Freeland, is representing Antigua and Barbuda at the Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 7 to 15.

Ahead of the formal opening of the Assemblies, Minister Freeland will participate in the Informal Ministerial Policy Dialogue on Monday, July 6, under the theme “Bridge Builders: Innovation and Creativity Driving Future Societies.”

The high-level forum will bring together ministers and senior government officials from around the world to explore how innovation, intellectual property and creativity can contribute to sustainable development and future economic growth.

During the week-long meetings, Minister Freeland will join delegates from WIPO’s member states in discussions on a broad range of intellectual property matters, including copyright, trademarks, patents, geographical indications, innovation, and global intellectual property governance.

The Assemblies also provide an opportunity for member states to strengthen international cooperation and advance policies that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness.

As part of Antigua and Barbuda’s official programme, Minister Freeland is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with WIPO Director General Daren Tang, participate in a Ministerial Meeting of Caribbean States, and engage in several technical meetings aimed at strengthening the country’s intellectual property framework.

These discussions will focus on advancing legislation relating to plant varieties, upgrading Antigua and Barbuda’s Industrial Property Automation System (IPAS), introducing online filing systems, modernising trademark procedures through the Madrid System, and promoting new copyright legislation and intellectual property awareness initiatives.

The WIPO Assemblies serve as the organization’s highest decision-making forum, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates from governments, international organizations and intellectual property offices worldwide to shape global intellectual property policy and review the organization’s work programme.