In the period 15-16 November, the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) organizes the International Innovation Conference: “Intellectual Property - Innovations - Quality of Life”.

The event is attended by representatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization, the European Patent Office (EPO) and representatives of the Intellectual Property Offices in Romania, Georgia and Montenegro who will share their own experiences in the field of protection and promotion of innovations as a driving force for development of a knowledge-based economy.

The Innovation Conference is also attended by representatives of institutions and organizations active in the field of research, innovation and higher education, residents of scientific-technological parks and innovative incubators, experts in intellectual property, as well as representatives of the business environment.

At the opening of the conference, AGEPI Director General Lilia Bolocan welcomed the participants and mentioned that the purpose of this event is to support and promote the role of innovations in society, to develop regional and international technical and scientific cooperation and to encourage business-science partnerships. “The Conference Program is as complex as it is so diverse and interesting, so I wish all the speakers success and encourage the participants in the conference to be active in the discussions and debates on the themes included in the program,” added Lilia Bolocan.

At the same time, François-Régis Hannart, Principal Director for European and International Cooperation of the European Patent Office (EPO), said that the Conference will highlight strategies for exploiting innovation policies that ultimately aim at improving the quality of life. “AGEPI and OEB have a very nice collaboration relationship. Two years have passed, in October this year, since the entry into force of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Patent Organization on Validation of European Patents. The effects are visible, but they will only be viable in 2018. I am sure that the relations between our offices will continue to be equally productive”, added the EPO representative.

In turn, Ryszard Frelek, Program Officer, Division for Central European and Baltic States and Mediterranean Countries, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), said that this event will answer a number of questions about how innovation can contribute to the improvement of the quality of life, creation of new jobs and economic growth.

Vasile Vulpe, Head of the Legal Department, Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova, specified that the institution he represents has for an object to support innovative projects, including those related to intellectual property, which ultimately stimulate economic growth. “Progress and prosperity depend on the newly appeared creations and technologies,” Vasile Vulpe emphasized.

In the course of two days, the participants in the Innovation Conference will address issues related to the economic, social and cultural potential of intellectual property and innovations, as well as their economic benefits; the importance of innovation policies in the development of a competitive knowledge-based economy and in raising the quality of life.

Theoretical and practical aspects regarding the role of innovations for enhancing the competitiveness of some areas of the national economy will also be addressed: in the eco-energy and information technology sector, banking sector, health care, agro-industrial sector, etc., which result in the promotion of competitive products and services on the market, which positively influence the quality of life of citizens, case studies in the given field, etc.

The International Innovation Conference takes place in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and with the support of the EuropeAid/137467/DH/SER/MD Technical Assistance Project “Support to Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in the Republic of Moldova”.

The event is part of the program of events organized during the Week of the International Specialized Exhibition “INFOINVENT”, 15th edition, which takes place from 15 to 18 November, at Moldexpo.