The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Amin Modad, has pleaded with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for support to conduct a study quantifying the economic contribution of intellectual property to the economy and broader society.

In remarks at the WIPO 65th General Assemblies, which is taking place from July 9-17 in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister Modad noted that the administration of President Boakai sees intellectual property as a critical driver of economic growth and socioeconomic development.

“Looking ahead, Liberia seeks WIPO’s collaboration and support in digitizing and developing our intellectual property structure, prioritizing technology, and harnessing our rich culture—beginning with comprehensive studies to quantify their impact on our economy and the broader society,” Min. Modad said in his remarks at the opening of the WIPO Assemblies on July 9.

“Despite being a relatively new administration, we place a high priority on intellectual property as a catalyst for socioeconomic development,” Min. Modad argued. “With a growing youth population and a dynamic women population, Liberia is cognizant of the opportunities intellectual property and technology provide in changing lives and fostering a sustainable development agenda vested in our people, culture, and traditions.”

According to Min. Modad, the Government of Liberia’s “trade priorities” rest on adding value to its comparative advantages; as such, the government has been diligently raising intellectual property awareness across the creative industries and the government.

He added that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will ensure concrete actions across agencies regarding intellectual property and its mainstreaming in “our national development agenda.”

The minister’s remarks at WIPO, which is the world’s largest gathering on intellectual property matters, come as the government of Liberia, through the Liberia Intellectual Property Office, has made strides in strengthening the Liberia intellectual property ecosystem amidst substantial challenges, which it has been working to address.

The government, among other priorities, has made the digitization of the intellectual property registration process and the conduct of a study quantifying the economic contribution of intellectual property to the economy and broader society key policy areas.

This has led to jubilation among the country’s intellectual property stakeholders, who have persistently found the costly and time-consuming paper-based registration frustrating.

The digitization of the registration process, according to stakeholders, will lead to the simplification and expedition of the application process, reducing filing costs as well as enabling them to track their applications conveniently from anywhere.

Additionally, the proposed study, according to stakeholders, would address the age-old problem of the lack of data on the impact of intellectual property on Liberia’s GDP and employment generation, as well as painting a clear picture of the economic impact of infringements and the long-term value of the creative industry or the intellectual property ecosystem as a whole.

While intellectual property has been impacting the country positively, stakeholders believe that the lack of data makes it quite difficult for policymakers and the general public to clearly understand the socioeconomic impact of intellectual property on Liberia.

The study, when conducted, stakeholders argued, will play a crucial role in guiding the drafting of the country’s next National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, which will be anchored on data—that would easily lead to the harnessing of the country’s intellectual property potential.

Min. Modad at the ongoing WIPO Assemblies informed the body of the Government of Liberia’s commitments to submit all outstanding WIPO and ARIPO protocols for ratification in the months ahead.

Min. Modad noted further that while Liberia acknowledged its limitations, “it is also eager and committed to cooperate with WIPO and member states” to collectively transition towards a knowledge-based global economy driven by intellectual property.

“Honorable Chair, Liberia aligns itself with the African position and expresses gratitude to WIPO for its unwavering support to our SMEs in the area of intellectual property management,” Min. Modad said. “For example, 30 SMEs in fields such as food processing & packaging and fashion design recently received training in IP management and business development.”

The Minister added that the government was proud to announce that some of the SMEs have successfully protected their trademarks, leading the government to establish a manufacturing association to further facilitate interactions between the government and SMEs on intellectual property rights.

Meanwhile, the ongoing WIPO Assemblies, which are being attended by some 1,400 delegates, including close to 20 Ministers, will, among other things, review the WIPO Secretariat’s work over the past year and determine future activities according to a strategic direction for WIPO approved by member states in 2022.

They will also convene to examine WIPO treaties, which form the backbone of the global IP ecosystem that supports innovators and creators around the world.

The Assemblies follow on a May 2024 Diplomatic Conference, where member states approved by consensus a new Treaty related to IP and Indigenous Peoples, marking a multilateral advancement ahead of a second late-stage treaty negotiation scheduled for November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“The work of transforming the global IP ecosystem is beginning to show results, not just shaping global IP standards and gaining the attention of leaders, but also reaching deeper to the ground, and touching the lives of more people than ever,” said WIPO Director General Daren Tang.

“So let us continue as one WIPO community to put in place the right practices, norms, standards, policies, and projects so that we can make IP part of the journey of every innovator and creator, and make IP a catalyst for growth and development for every country in the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, accompanying Minister Modad on this trip are Honorables Garmai Koboi and Clarence Cole, Director General and Deputy Director General for Copyright, respectively, at the Liberia Intellectual Property Office; and Mr. F. Alphonso Y. Belleh II, Chief of Staff to the Minister.

Hon. Garmai Koboi, the Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), has urged delegates at the ongoing World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge to engage constructively and cooperatively towards adopting a final legal instrument, which is critical to the conference’s objectives.

The conference, which runs from May 13-24, brings together WIPO member state delegates, observers – including Indigenous Peoples – and other stakeholders from across the globe to negotiate a proposed treaty relating to intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.

In an address to the conference, Hon. Koboi called on all delegates to negotiate with openness and cooperation so that “the outcome of the conference” meets the diverse needs and aspirations of all nations.

According to her, the gathering, as convened by WIPO, represents a critical moment in global efforts to forge a consensus on the protection and utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, which are issues of profound importance to the sustainable development and cultural heritage of all nations.

“The outcomes of this conference hold significant implications for the future of global intellectual property governance,” Hon. Koboi said in brief remarks at the conference opening on May 13.

“As we deliberate on the draft text of the legal instrument under consideration, Liberia urges all parties to engage constructively and with a spirit of cooperation. The resulting framework must be comprehensive, clear, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of all nations, particularly those with rich biodiversity and cultural heritage,” she added.

According to Hon. Koboi, Liberia is steadfast in its commitment to fostering a balanced and inclusive approach to intellectual property rights, one that recognizes and respects the rights of all stakeholders, especially indigenous and local communities who are the custodians of traditional knowledge.

She added that once delegates at the conference adopt the text of the final treaty relating to intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, Liberia would begin its domestication to drive socio-economic development.

 “We will push measures that empower these communities to actively participate in decision-making processes and benefit equally from the commercialization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge,” Hon. Koboi said.

The ongoing WIPO conference comes after its member states nearly three years ago reached a breakthrough consensus to move their negotiations to the next level, determining that a Diplomatic Conference should be held before the end of 2024 and that a “Basic Proposal” would serve as the basis for negotiations.

A breakthrough this time around, according to experts, would mean a better representation of the pivotal role genetic resources play in innovation, while underscoring how a strong IP system is a powerful catalyst for inclusive growth.

What are Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge?

Genetic resources are contained in, for example, medicinal plants, agricultural crops, and animal breeds. While genetic resources themselves cannot be directly protected as intellectual property, inventions developed using them can, most often through a patent. Some genetic resources are also associated with traditional knowledge through their use and conservation by Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities, often over generations.

This knowledge is sometimes used in scientific research and, as such, may contribute to the development of a protected invention.

WIPO member state delegates officially launched historic final-stage negotiations on a proposed treaty relating to intellectual property, genetic resources, and associated traditional knowledge.

In a speech opening the conference on May 13, Daren Tang, WIPO Director General, called on negotiators to marry passion with pragmatism in advancing their work.

 Mr. Tang underlined the historic nature of the negotiations and said: “Let me be candid – negotiations will not be easy. Negotiations dealing with significant and important topics rarely are. But I call on all of you to marry passion with pragmatism, and channel the same spirit of flexibility, accommodation, and consensus that has brought us now to the cusp of a truly landmark agreement.

“At this Diplomatic Conference, we can show that there is no contradiction between a robust and predictable IP regime – one that incentivizes innovation, attracts investments and drives game-changing research – and one that responds to the needs of all countries and their communities everywhere, including those from Indigenous Peoples as well as from Local Communities.

A more inclusive and diverse IP system is not just a more dynamic IP system, it is a stronger IP system,” Mr. Tang said. A successful result would also deliver a much-needed boost to multilateralism, noted Mr. Tang, as he added that “Over the next two weeks, our responsibility is therefore not just to WIPO and the IP community, but also to a world whose eyes are upon us.”

About Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO):

The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) is responsible for the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights in Liberia. LIPO supports national development by fostering innovation, creativity, and the equitable exploitation of intellectual assets. For more information, visit LIPO’s website.