Page 517 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

2/28/25, 8:40 AM Under The Patronage And Presence Of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi The First International Reprographic Rights Conference Kicks Of…
The opening ceremony of the conference was attended by His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq
Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the UAE, and Majd Al Shehhi, Director of the ERRA,
alongside a group of international experts specialising in collective reprographic
management, intellectual property, and the creative industries. The event also witnessed a
gathering of writers, publishers, creative business owners, and academics.

Creativity as a driving force for development:

In her opening remarks, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi emphasised that the UAE,
with its ambitious vision and knowledge-based economy, recognises that reprographic rights
protection is both a legal obligation and a necessity for a flourishing creative economy and
the promotion of innovation. She highlighted that intellectual property rights are the
fundamental pillar that allows creators to transform their ideas into sustainable projects,
enriching both the cultural and economic landscape.
She said:“In a world where ideas and knowledge are a kind of capital, protecting the rights of
creators is not just a legal duty but a strategic imperative. Intellectual property is the
backbone of a thriving creative economy that empowers people, strengthens industries, and
fosters sustainable innovation. Through this conference, we reaffirm our commitment to
building frameworks that balance accessibility with fairness, ensuring that the work of
authors, publishers, and creatives continues to enrich societies worldwide. Working together,
we can shape an ecosystem where creativity is valued and protected as a force for cultural
and economic progress.”
Leading the global dialogue:
His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri delivered a compelling speech in which he
highlighted the significant efforts of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi in advancing the
publishing sector and creative industries in the UAE. He also acknowledged her leadership
in driving international cooperation to protect and empower creators.
He said:“The UAE's hosting of the First International Reprographic Rights Conference
reflects our commitment and active role in fostering discussions and dialogue on both local
and global levels, providing all necessary means to support the protection of intellectual
property rights, particularly reprographic rights.” He also stressed that, under the guidance of
the UAE's visionary leadership, the country has made significant strides in developing an
advanced legislative framework for intellectual property. Based on best international
practices, this framework includes Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Reprographic
Right and Related Rights. Through collaboration with key partners, the Ministry of Economy
has worked tirelessly to create a competitive and robust legislative environment for authors
and creative professionals, positioning the UAE as a leading global hub for creative
industries.

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