Nigeria, November 03, 2015, (Blank NEWS Online) –
African heads of state, government ministers and top officials from the United Nations, African Union and private sector groups have gathered in Senegal to chart a plan for boosting the uptake of intellectual property tools to help stimulate economic and social development across Africa.
Among dignitaries in atendance are H.E. Macky Sall, President of Senegal; H. E. Mrs. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius; World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Francis Gurry and other senior UN officials; African Union (AU) Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and other regional officials; Some 60 government ministers are also participating in the in the event which commenced on November 03, 2015 at the King Fahd Palace Hotel, Dakar, Senegal.
The three day working meeting of leaders from across Africa is entitled “African Ministerial Conference 2015: Intellectual Property (IP) for an Emerging Africa.” The conference preceded on November 2 by a workshop grouping young African innovators and creators to talk about IP, innovation and creativity.
Acording to WIPO Director General Francis Gurry, “Africa has a great tradition of innovation and creativity…and innovation is a central driver of economic growth, development and better jobs. It is the key for firms to compete successfully in the global marketplace.”
He said: “Intellectual property is an indispensable mechanism for translating knowledge into commercial assets – IP rights create a secure environment for investment in innovation and provide a legal framework for trading in intellectual assets.”
BACKGROUND
About IP: Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce. IP is protected in law by, for example, patents, copyright and trademarks, which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.
About IP and Africa: There is increasing recognition in the global knowledge-based economy that IP and innovation are two important contributory factors for economic, social and cultural development, better competitiveness of industries as well as enhanced trade.
African nations are embracing the knowledge-based economy in order to access the opportunities it offers for poverty reduction, enhanced agricultural productivity, as well as the prospects for industrial competitivity, which could pave the way for sustainable and inclusive development.
About the Conference: The conference aims to highlight the relevance of IP in promoting innovation and scientific and technological transformation of African economies. It will also show how IP can contribute to the realization of the priorities identified in the Common African Position (CAP) on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. And it will provide an arena for discussion on the role of IP for innovation and creativity in the continent.
The conference will also:
Address governments’ role in creating an enabling environment for the use of IP and innovation for development;
Facilitate a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of the strategic use of the IP system as an engine for scientific and technological transformation, economic and social development and poverty reduction for Africa;
Encourage governments to put in place IP policies and innovation strategies aimed at building the countries’ capacity to apply science, technology and innovation for development;
Give participants the tools and the means to keep abreast with the latest trends and business models in the digital environment;
Explore ways to increase the participation of African countries in the digital economy by encouraging ratification/access to key international copyright treaties;
Contribute to advancing the implementation of a framework and infrastructure which enhances the business performance and competitiveness of creative industries to support economic, cultural and development objectives.
The conference is jointly organized by WIPO, the African Union (AU) the Government of the Republic of Senegal and the Government of Japan under the Japan Funds-in-Trust for Africa and Least-Developed Countries (LDCs).
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