The 63rd Session of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO
.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Statement
By
H.E. Dr. Hassan Babaei, Deputy of the Judiciary and
The Head of State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties
of
the Islamic Republic of Iran
before
The 63rd Session of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO
Geneva, 14 July 2022
Madam Chair,
We are pleased to see you chairing over WIPO General Assembly. We also feel obliged to express our appreciation for all efforts by WIPO Director General, Mr. Daren Tang and the Secretariat in the course of past year.
Madam Chair,
Intellectual property has a special place in Iran's macro policies, laws and development plans. To achieve sustainable development, the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken major steps towards a knowledge-based economy in recent years where intellectual property is one of a main pillar. Naming current Persian year as "Production; knowledge based and job creation" by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran indicates how knowledge-based technologies are important for my country. Therefore, the Organization which I preside over has started partnership with knowledge-based companies in order o use their innovative capacities in area of registration services.
Over the past year, we have taken important measures for implementation of IP policies including joining the Madrid e-filing system; drafting a new law on Industrial Property Protection so as to bridge the existing gaps in accordance with the relevant international commitments; developing a single window for the commercialization of inventions in cooperation with relevant domestic organizations; and defining and implementing joint projects with WIPO, including IP Summer Course and the “Enabling IP Environment to Strengthen the Business Competitiveness through Brands and Designs (EIE) project.”
Madam Chair,
Iran - WIPO cooperation shows a positive trend in the recent years and there are potentials for strengthening and promoting this cooperation in the future.
My Delegation wishes to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to WIPO for providing technical assistance and capacity-building to Iran .Underscoring the importance of WIPO's legal and technical assistance in improvement of IP system in the Member States, the Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its readiness to host a WIPO External Office. According to the latest World Intellectual Property Indicator published by WIPO in 2021, the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the world's top three countries in filing the trademark applications and also one of the top twenty countries in filing the industrial design and patent applications. Nevertheless, unilateral coercive measures imposed on Iran, have adversely impacted the development of the intellectual property system. Those inhuman illegal measures continue to impede banking transfers between Iran and WIPO and as a result prevent natural and legal persons, including firms, inventors and the holders of IP rights to enjoy the WIPO International services through Madrid, PCT or Lisbon systems. WIPO is expected to act promptly and take appropriate measures so the Iranians can fully enjoy their relevant IP rights.
Madam Chair,
A development-driven, balanced, effective, and inclusive intellectual property system can contribute to the development of innovation, commercialization of intellectual property and job creation. This may in turn lead to the investment growth and sustainable development in the member states. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great importance to the effective implementation of WIPO Development Agenda and mainstreaming its recommendations into the work and activities of WIPO. In this regard, my delegation supports any initiative within the framework of WIPO which can facilitate the transfer of technology to developing and least developed countries, for achieving social and economic welfare and overcoming the global challenges.
Madam Chair,
Regarding the negotiations on WIPO Normative Agenda, concluding of the legally binding instrument or instruments on Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Cultural Expressions is a priority for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Therefore, we urge all member States to conduct text-based negotiation constructively in good faith and with political will in order to convene diplomatic conference to solve this long pending issue.
Last but not least, we express our grave concern over politicisation of WIPO as a specialized agency of the United Nations. WIPO should focus on its main mandate to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all and should avoid raising issues of political nature which may put at risk its mission and affect the organization’s ability to fulfill its mandate.
To conclude, Madam. Chair, we look forward to constructive and result-oriented discussions in this session of the WIPO General Assembly.
Thank you for your kind attention.