The works of the 68th series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) were inaugurated, held from July 7 to 15, 2026, in Geneva, the Swiss Confederation. The meeting represents the main decision-making forum of the Organization and brings together delegates from the 194 member states of WIPO, as well as representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academia and the private sector.

The Republic of Moldova is represented at the Assemblies by a delegation led by Mr. Dumitru Vleju, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, which includes Mr. Vladimir Cuc, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Mr. Iulian E. Iorga, Director of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), as well as other representatives of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova in Geneva and AGEPI.

In his opening speech, WIPO Director General Daren Tang highlighted that, in a context marked by accelerated geopolitical, economic and technological transformations, intellectual property must remain an essential factor of innovation, creativity and economic development. He stressed that “together we will continue to build a world where intellectual property is for everyone, everywhere”, while presenting his vision for the new mandate, focused on four strategic directions: integrating intellectual property into economic development and innovation policies, strengthening an inclusive global movement in the field of intellectual property, preparing the international intellectual property system for the challenges of the future – including by using the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence – and strengthening WIPO as a modern, efficient and results-oriented organization.

During the general debates, the Republic of Moldova presented its country statement, reaffirming its support for WIPO’s work and for the development of an efficient, balanced and inclusive international intellectual property system. In his intervention, the Head of the Delegation of the Republic of Moldova, Dumitru Vleju, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, congratulated WIPO for its efforts in addressing the legal, technological and policy challenges arising from rapid innovation and digital transformation. “At the national level, the Republic of Moldova continues to modernize its intellectual property system in accordance with the highest international and European standards,” the Secretary of State noted.

The national declaration highlighted the progress made in modernizing the regulatory and institutional framework in the field of intellectual property, including the accession of the Republic of Moldova, in June 2026, to the European Patent Convention, becoming the 40th member state of the European Patent Organization, the continued harmonization of national legislation with the European Union acquis, the strengthening of institutional capacities by transferring AGEPI under the Ministry of Justice, as well as the expansion of cooperation with WIPO in the field of developing creative industries, strengthening the enforcement of intellectual property rights and education in the field of intellectual property.

The agenda of the current session includes topics of strategic importance for the future of the international intellectual property system, including the implementation of the WIPO Work Program and Budget for the 2026–2027 biennium, the work of WIPO bodies and committees, the development of international systems for the protection of intellectual property, as well as the continuation of the Organization’s normative activities. At the same time, the member states are examining issues related to the Organization’s governance and the election of new chairmen of WIPO’s governing bodies.

On the sidelines of the WIPO meetings, the delegation of the Republic of Moldova held a series of bilateral meetings with WIPO officials and representatives of national intellectual property offices, with a view to strengthening international cooperation and promoting the interests of the Republic of Moldova in the field of intellectual property.

Participation in the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO reconfirms the commitment of the Republic of Moldova to actively contribute to the development of the international intellectual property system and to continue the modernization of the national intellectual property system, in accordance with European and international standards and the objectives of the European integration process.

The works of the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO can be followed live on the WIPO platform: https://webcast.wipo.int/.