Wipo chief to visit Namibia

The director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo), Daren Tang, will visit Namibia on Monday and Tuesday next week.

The main objective of this visit is to strengthen collaboration between Namibia and Wipo, with a specific focus on the role of intellectual property in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and enhancing global competitiveness, the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) said in a statement.

This visit is a result of an invitation extended to Tang by Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the deputy prime minister and minister of international relations and cooperation, during her visit to Geneva, Switzerland in 2021.

"Under the theme 'Unlocking Intellectual Property and Innovation Systems for Economic Transformation and Social Impact', the visit aligns seamlessly with Namibia’s strategic direction, placing emphasis on empowering Namibians within the innovation and creativity ecosystems," said Ainna Kaundu, the executive for intellectual property services at Bipa.

Engagements

The delegation accompanying Tang includes the Namibian Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation, the deputy director-general of Wipo, as well as the director of the Wipo Africa Bureau.

During the visit, Tang will conduct courtesy calls with key dignitaries, including the vice president Nangolo Mbumba, prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Additionally, he will engage with stakeholders in the creative and innovation sectors to gain insights into advancements in the domain of copyright, recognising Namibia’s ongoing copyright law reform.

"Intellectual property remains a critical untapped gem in Namibia’s national development agenda; hence, it is imperative for Namibia to harness the potential of intellectual property to emerge as a global player and an economic powerhouse," Kaundu said.