The Philippines and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the use of intellectual property in the country to support its national development agenda.

The MOU Towards Creating an Enabling Innovation Environment to Increase the Capacity for Intellectual Property and Technology Support was signed by Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director-General Josephine Santiago and WIPO Director-General Francis Gurry on October 7 at the margins of the WIPO General Assemblies in Geneva from September 30 to October 9.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the document will support universities and research institutions in strengthening their competencies on intellectual property, and university-industry collaboration, establish a network of technology professionals, and develop related support structures, among other objectives.

Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’Affaires Maria Teresa Almojuela, who witnessed the signing ceremony, expressed appreciation to WIPO, which had been a longstanding partner of the Philippines in pursuing its development plans, including through the development of a National Intellectual Property Strategy for which WIPO itself provided technical support.

Meanwhile, the Philippines continued its active participation in the WIPO General Assemblies, successfully hosting an exhibit on pineapple silk fibers with weaving and embroidery workshops, and conducting a panel discussion about the protection offered by the Philippine government on traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.

It also gained a seat in the WIPO Coordination Committee, which would nominate the next Director-General in 2020. (PR)