The Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Daren Tang, will pay a courtesy visit to Namibia, the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) has confirmed.
The visit is a response to an invitation extended to Tang by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, during her 2021 visit to Geneva, Switzerland.
According to BIPA’s Executive for Marketing, Corporate Communications and Client Management Services Ockert Jansen, the visit marks a step in fortifying ties between Namibia and WIPO, with a special emphasis on the pivotal role of intellectual property in driving economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
“The primary objective is to enhance collaboration and synergy between Namibia and WIPO, aligning with the nation’s strategic direction and focusing on empowering Namibians within the innovation and creativity ecosystems,” he said.
The delegation accompanying Tang comprises distinguished members, including the Ambassador of Namibia to the Swiss Confederation, the Deputy Director-General of WIPO, and the Director of the WIPO Africa Bureau.
Ainna Kaundu, Executive for Intellectual Property Services at BIPA, explained that the visit is being held under the theme ‘Unlocking Intellectual Property and Innovation Systems for Economic Transformation and Social Impact.’
Kaundu said the visit aligns seamlessly with Namibia’s strategic direction, focusing on empowering Namibians within the innovation and creativity ecosystems.
During the visit, Tang is scheduled to extend courtesy calls to key dignitaries, including the Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, along with other esteemed portfolio ministers.
“Additionally, he will engage with stakeholders in the creative and innovation sectors to gain insights into the advancements made in the domain of copyright, acknowledging Namibia’s ongoing copyright law reform,” Kaundu said.
Kaundu further emphasised that intellectual property remains an untapped gem in Namibia’s national development agenda therefore it is imperative for the country to harness its potential.
The delegation is poised to arrive in Namibia on 19 November and depart on 22 November 2023.
