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6/3/24, 9:35 AM Latest News
Abu Dhabi, 30 May 2024:

The UAE participated in the Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated

Traditional Knowledge, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in
Geneva. The Conference marks the final stage of negotiations prior to the adoption of an

international legal instrument on enhancing the effectiveness, 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 resources. Genetic

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