The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is committed to supporting Vietnam in implementing IP–related activities, WIPO Director General Francis Gurry told the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP) on March 23.

Director General of World Intellectual Property Organisation Francis Gurry

At his working session with NOIP officials, Gurry stressed the key role of IP in socio-economic development, adding that the processing of patent applications can reveal the rapid transformation of technology and the WIPO will assist Vietnam in this process, thus enhancing the effectiveness of IP-related activities in the country. 

Noting the positive engagements between his organisation and the NOIP, the WIPO Director General said he believes in the future expansion of cooperation to realise their common goals.

NOIP Director General Dinh Huu Phi said the Vietnamese Government has resolved to promote IP protection to turn IP into a real driving force for socio-economic growth.

Based on past cooperation, Phi asked WIPO to offer technical support for his agency, particularly the upgrade of data and search tools in processing patent applications.

He asked the organisation to back Vietnam in joining and implementing WIPO-monitored international agreements on intellectual property and other activities.

On March 22, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and the WIPO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in building a national strategy on intellectual property for Vietnam.

With the MoU, an official cooperation mechanism between the MoST and WIPO is created in building the strategy to solve the country’s specific demands and priorities in the long, middle and short terms.

VNA