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Press Release

UAE participates in international diplomatic conference on genetic

resources in Geneva to promote cooperation in IP & patent granting
systems

Delegation sheds light on UAE’s efforts to develop a leading intellectual property
system in accordance with global best practices

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

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