The works of the 63rd Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will be held from 14 to 22 July 2022, in Geneva, being chaired for the first time by the Republic of Moldova, in the person of Tatiana Molcean, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the UN Office in Geneva and other International Organizations based in Geneva. The current edition is attended both in person and online by delegates from over 190 WIPO member states, international and regional organizations including directors of intellectual property offices, ambassadors, ministers, representatives of international intergovernmental organizations and international associations of patent holder rights.

The delegation of the Republic of Moldova is led by Eugeniu Rusu, Director General of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI).

In the opening session, the President of the General Assembly - the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in Geneva, Tatiana Molcean, thanked all those involved in organizing the current series of WIPO Assemblies in these not easy times affected by the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The Madam President called the delegations to constructivism and expressed her commitment to contribute to the successful organization of the meeting.

In his inaugural speech, WIPO Director General Daren Tang, who presented to Member States the most important achievements and key indicators recorded by WIPO in the period since the previous General Assembly, and also the challenges facing the organization and its member states at current stage. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has deeply affected the economic and social situation globally, the Director General of WIPO wanted to mention the military invasion of Ukraine and the repercussions it brings to the security of the region, and also to the ecosystems at the global level, putting energy supply, disruption to supply chains and food security at risk.

At the initiative of a group of 52 states, including the Republic of Moldova, the member states are to discuss in the current series of Assemblies the provision of assistance and support for the innovation and creativity sector and for the intellectual property system in Ukraine. The inclusion of the subject on the consolidated agenda of the assemblies was challenged by the Russian Federation and 11 other member states, however, with the support of the majority, the Agenda was approved.

The Director General of AGEPI, Eugeniu Rusu, in the statement made at the beginning of the Assemblies, informed the member states about the latest achievements of the Republic of Moldova in the field of IP, including the country’s European integration agenda. The Director General reiterated the concern of the Republic of Moldova for the situation in Ukraine and the region. “We are deeply concerned about yesterday’s bomb attack and we mourn the innocent people killed by the Russian Federation in Vinita, a small Ukrainian town near the border of the Republic of Moldova,” said Mr. Rusu, noting at the same time that “Despite all the difficulties generated by the COVID19 pandemic and the war on our border, we continue to provide quality services and ensure a high level of intellectual property protection in accordance with international standards and European best practices.”

In the current series of meetings, the representatives of the WIPO Member States will address and make decisions regarding the solution of the problems faced by the intellectual property system at the current stage, such as the implementation of the development programs of the organization, ensuring compliance with the treaties and conventions administered by WIPO, the development priorities of international law, etc.

Note: The candidacy of the Republic of Moldova, in the person of Ambassador Tatiana Molcean, as Chair of the WIPO General Assembly was approved during the 62nd Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), held in from October 4 to 8, 2021, in Geneva. The mandate is exercised over two years, being a first for the diplomacy of the Republic of Moldova when a representative of the country assumes a position of such level within the respective organization.