Geneva, Switzerland — Liberia is strengthening its intellectual property (IP), innovation, and development agenda through strategic engagements with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on the margins of the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of WIPO Member States.
The Liberian delegation, led by the Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), Hon. Garmai Koboi, and Deputy Director General for Industrial Property, Hon. Jamus P. Bannah, with support from the head of delegation, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Tarnue Jeke, has held discussions with key WIPO divisions to enhance cooperation in critical areas of intellectual property development.
The engagements focused on three major priorities, including the continuation of WIPO’s support for the second phase of the Intellectual Property Management Clinic (IPMC), a program designed to strengthen the capacity of Liberian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to identify, protect, and strategically manage their intellectual property assets.
The delegation also discussed continued technical assistance under WIPO’s Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) program, which supports universities and research institutions by improving access to patent information, innovation resources, and intellectual property databases.
Another key area of discussion centered on Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions, and Genetic Resources. According to LIPO, the talks addressed technical support for assessing and mapping Liberia’s traditional knowledge resources, building the capacity of LIPO and other relevant stakeholders, and developing a national roadmap and policy framework consistent with Liberia’s upcoming National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS).
The discussions, held over the past week, have resulted in renewed commitments for technical cooperation and support between Liberia and WIPO in these priority areas.
LIPO said the engagements represent Liberia’s broader efforts to transform its participation in international intellectual property platforms into practical programs that strengthen national institutions, support businesses and research organizations, promote innovation, and utilize intellectual property as a tool for economic development.
The institution reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to building a stronger, inclusive, and sustainable intellectual property ecosystem through continued national efforts and international partnerships.
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