Page 85 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025

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.

“Enhancing international cooperation in reprographic protection and collaborating with
relevant global institutions is essential for exchanging the latest expertise, best practices,
and trends in this field. Therefore, the UAE has proactively joined international treaties and
established fruitful partnerships to protect intellectual property rights and support the growth
of businesses and activities within creative sectors such as culture, arts, music, and
literature,” His Excellency concluded.
Furthermore, he shared impressive statistics achieved by the intellectual property sector in
the UAE by the end of 2024. Among the key figures, over 370,000 national and international
trademarks are registered in the UAE markets, and over 21,000 intellectual works have been
registered. Additionally, nearly 24,500 applications for intellectual work registration were
received, and the total number of patents registered in the country exceeded 6,100.