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6/3/24, 9:35 AM UAE participates in international diplomatic conference on genetic resources in Geneva to promote cooperation in IP & patent granti…
transparency, and quality of the patent system. This will prevent the wrongful granting of
patents to protect inventions that are not new or innovative with respect to genetic

resources and traditional knowledge associated with them.

The UAE delegation to the Conference was led by H.E. Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Muaini,

Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry of Economy,

and a number of officials from various entities concerned with IP protection in the country.
The Conference was attended by nearly 1,200 participants from WIPO member states

and marked a paradigm shift in legalizing reliance on genetic resources for innovation and
supporting IP’s role in the sustainability and growth of economies.

In his speech at the Conference, H.E. Dr. Al Muaini emphasized that the UAE, under the

guidance of its wise leadership, attaches great importance to protecting IP rights and
enhancing its standing in the country. To this end, the UAE has established a robust

legislative and technical environment to attract and promote talent, inventors, innovators,
and entrepreneurs, and safeguard their creations and innovations in accordance with

global best practices, in cooperation with partners at local, regional and international

levels. These efforts stem from the country’s belief in the key role of intellectual property in
building the knowledge economy.

He said: "We appreciate the efforts of WIPO and participating countries in reaching the

final phase of the Treaty and establishing a clear legal framework that ensures the
protection of genetic resources from possession and illicit use, and the organization and

improvement of patent mechanisms. We, at the UAE Ministry of Economy, look forward to
move towards their final signature to emerge with the desired positive outcomes, working

together in expanding intellectual property applications and enhancing their role in global
economic development and sustainability."

Treaty ensures improved patenting system for innovations with genetic resources

The treaty finalized by participants of the Conference ensures enhanced intellectual

property protection with regard to innovations or knowledge derived from genetic

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