Monrovia – The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will host a high-level national policy conference on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as part of activities leading up to the global celebration of World Intellectual Property Day on April 26.
By Francis G. Boayue
The conference, themed “The Role of Intellectual Property and the Creative Sector in Achieving the ARREST Agenda Under Program Seven,” is expected to bring together senior government officials, development partners, policymakers, and stakeholders in the creative industry to discuss the strategic role of intellectual property in national development.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, April 21, LIPO Director General Garmai Koboi emphasized that the event forms part of a wider government campaign to elevate intellectual property rights as a cornerstone of economic growth, innovation, and cultural preservation.
The ARREST Agenda—Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism—relies heavily on the protection and promotion of intellectual property,” said Koboi. “IP is the engine that fuels innovation and transforms ideas into economic opportunities across these sectors.”
The conference will feature a keynote IP Policy Address by Hon. Cornelia Kruah, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. A panel discussion will follow, exploring how IP supports national priorities under the ARREST framework and how it can be better integrated into policy and practice.
Koboi noted that intellectual property plays a key role in multiple areas of national development, from using geographical indications in agriculture to strengthen local brands, to protecting creative content in education, music, tourism, and cultural industries.
In education, IP rights protect authors while promoting access to knowledge. In the creative and tourism sectors, it converts talent and tradition into livelihoods and sustainable businesses,” she added.
The celebration will culminate in an IP Awareness Festival and Musical Jamboree on April 26, 2025, at Invisible Park in Monrovia. The public event will feature cultural performances, musical acts, and informational sessions to engage communities and raise awareness about intellectual property rights.
This is more than a celebration,” Koboi stated. “It’s an investment in the future—one that recognizes and uplifts the power of creativity, invention, and intellectual capital in driving national development.”
World Intellectual Property Day, observed annually on April 26, is a global initiative led by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to highlight the importance of innovation, creativity, and IP rights in building economies and improving lives.
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