ASEAN Celebrates Historic First ASEAN Day at WIPO to Promote Innovation 

The Permanent Representatives of the ASEAN Committee in Geneva (ACG), composed of the Permanent Missions of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, together with ASEAN countries; Intellectual Property agencies’ heads of delegations to the WIPO General Assembly lead the celebration of the ASEAN day at WIPO on 02 October 2017 in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

05 October 2017 GENEVA – ASEAN celebrated the first ever ASEAN Day at WIPO at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on October 02.

The first day of the WIPO General Assembly has been declared as ASEAN Day, under the theme “Intellectual Property, Innovation, and Development”, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the ASEAN.

The ASEAN Committee in Geneva (ACG), composed of the Permanent Missions of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam, together with ASEAN countries' Intellectual Property agencies, led the celebration in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

“The ASEAN Committee in Geneva sincerely appreciates WIPO's support for this first ever ASEAN Day at WIPO. This is only one of many successful collaborations between ASEAN and WIPO which we believe will continue in the future,” said Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva and chair of the ASEAN Committee in Geneva.

“The Intellectual Property agencies in the region, represented here strongly in the WIPO Assemblies, are at the heart of these efforts to pursue ASEAN's vision of people-oriented, people-centered prosperity. The exhibit tonight highlights the role of intellectual property in stimulating the spirit of innovation as a driver of development in ASEAN,” he added. 

Minister Yasonna H. Laoly, of Indonesia’s Justice and Human Rights and WIPO Director General Francis Gurry also spoke during the opening ceremony.

 “As we celebrate ASEAN’s 50th anniversary, we look back at our progress as a region over the years, and the strategic role that intellectual property has played and continues to play as a driver of innovation, economic growth and competitiveness in the ASEAN region,” said Minister Laoly, adding, “the region has greatly benefited from WIPO’s technical assistance, and we are truly grateful for the efforts made in tailor-fitting the same to each of our Member’s needs.”

“I take this this opportunity to thank Member States of ASEAN for the constant and very constructive commitment to WIPO. We have enjoyed a long cooperation,” said Director-General Gurry.

The ASEAN Day featured the ASEAN@50 Exhibit at WIPO, which takes a look at the various ways and achievements of the ASEAN member states in using intellectual property (IP) as an important tool for promoting innovation in pursuit of development.

More than 300 delegates of the WIPO GA as well as members of the diplomatic community and guests were treated to a sampling of the culinary delights of the ASEAN region. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam also showcased the cultural diversity of the region through music and dances that were featured in an hour-long cultural performance.

Cooperation between ASEAN and WIPO—formalized in 1993 with the institutionalization of a consultation mechanism—continues to be dynamic and robust. Apart from individual programs implemented at the country level, ASEAN member-states have worked closely with WIPO in developing the ASEAN Intellectual Property Strategic Plan for 2016-2025.

Established on 08 August 1967 in order to promote regional peace and security, ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.  ASEAN today represents some 630 million people or almost 10% of the world’s population. ASEAN cooperation has come to encompass a wide range of fields, including trade and investments, environment, human rights, health, poverty eradication, and IP rights. While diverse in terms of governance systems, economic status and socio-cultural backgrounds, ASEAN remains united by its shared history and a common vision for sustainable progress. END

For more information, visit www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/genevapcg.

Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and other international; organizations in Geneva and chair of the ASEAN Committee in Geneva, addresses the WIPO General Assembly and guests at the opening program of the ASEAN Day at the WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on October 02.