In a bid to fulfill ASEAN's commitments to intellectual property cooperation, the 72nd Meeting of the Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation of ASEAN Countries (AWGIPC 72) commenced on April 22 in the central coastal city of Da Nang.

Hosted by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, the event, along with side events in Hue between 22-26 April, aims to bolster ASEAN's image and position in the global intellectual property landscape.

Vietnam's Role as Host and Facilitator

Addressing the delegates, Mr. Luu Hoang Long, Director of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, highlighted ASEAN's strides in fostering intellectual property cooperation. He underscored the role of AWGIPC in advancing ASEAN's intellectual property agenda and achieving the goals outlined in the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint.

"Building on our past successes, we aim to further implement the ASEAN Action Program on Intellectual Property and solidify our position as a region committed to innovation and competitiveness," Mr. Long emphasized.

Acknowledging East Timor's inaugural participation as an observer, Mr. Long expressed hope for their active involvement in future AWGIPC meetings, bolstering regional integration efforts.

The AWGIPC 72 Meeting is poised to delve into the implementation of the ASEAN Action Program on Intellectual Property for the period 2016-2025, along with exploring intellectual property cooperation between ASEAN and its partners.

Parallel to the main event, several side events are scheduled, including the 15th Meeting of the Intellectual Property Subcommittee of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

Additionally, in celebration of World Intellectual Property Day 2024, a ceremony and contest will be hosted in Hue city, emphasizing the importance of intellectual property in fostering creativity and sustainability.