PRESS RELEASE – Samoa Attends the WIPO 65th Assemblies in Geneva, Switzerland

The 65th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO commenced on the 9th of July 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. Samoa’s delegation to the WIPO Assemblies, led by Honourable Leota Laki Lamositele Sio, the Minister for Commerce Industry and Labour, includes the Registrar, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling and Fiu Semaia Faaola, Policy Advisor for the Minister; accompanied by Afioga Toleafoa Nella Pepe Tavita Levy, the Permanent Representative and Ambassador for Samoa to the United Nations in Geneva, and Ms Lonnie Tuatagaloa of Samoa’s Permanent Mission in Geneva.

In his Statement, the Honourable Minister congratulated WIPO and its Members on the successful conclusion and adoption of the historic Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources, which has taken 25 years of hard work and negotiations. The Minister also acknowledged WIPO’s ongoing technical support received by Samoa for enhancing IP awareness and protection. The Registry of Companies and Intellectual Property Division has benefited tremendously from such support and has transmitted such success to the private sector through its branding work under the National Branding Bureau. The Registry has also contributed financially to the national economy to date since establishing its international registries in December 2018. WIPO has 193 member countries with Samoa joining as a member on the 11th of July 1997.

The Minister and delegation, while in Geneva also took advantage of the opportunity to meet with the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala; the WIPO Director General, Mr Daren Tang: and the Secretary General of UNCTAD, Mrs Rebeca Gynspan, to discuss matters of interest for Samoa’s benefit and to strengthen collaboration.

An important ‘briefing’ meeting on the Pacific work on IP was organised by the Permanent Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIFS) for the Pacific Ambassadors and Minister Leota. One of the outcomes of this briefing was the finalisation of an official intervention from the Pacific Group to be presented by Honourable Leota at the WIPO Plenary.

The WIPO GA meeting will continue until the 17th of July 2024.

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SOURCE – Ministry of Commerce Industry & Labour