SOLOMON Island is yet to become a registered member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Despite that the country continues to receive support from WIPO.
Director of Culture Division in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) Dennis Marita revealed this during a two days draft Solomon Islands Intellectual Property Rights Strategy’ facilitated by WIPO.
The workshop held at the Mendana Hotel was aimed to give stakeholders who previously involved in consultations and other interest groups an overview of the draft strategy.
It is also an opportunity for stakeholders to further discuss or suggest changes to the draft or seek clarifications from an international expert that produced the draft strategy.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of the 17 specialized agencies of the United Nations. WIPO was created in 1967 “to encourage creative activity, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.
WIPO currently has 188 member states,[2] administers 26 international treaties,[3] and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
The current Director-General of WIPO is Francis Gurry, who took office on October 1, 2008.186 of the UN Members as well as the Holy See and Niue are Members of WIPO.
Non-members are the states of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, South Sudan and Timor-Leste. Palestine has observer status.
Mr Marita said, Solomon Island is yet to become a registered member, however it still get support through trainings and workshops.
“Solomon Island is not yet a member of this organisation but with its relations with our government they are committed to supporting us with this program,” Mr Marita said.
He thanked WIPO for sending a representative to facilitate the two days’ workshop.
“On behalf of my Ministry and Solomon Island government I would like to thank WIPO for facilitating this workshop although Solomon Island is not part of this organization,” Mr Marita said during the closing of the workshop on Thursday.
By DENVER NEWTER
