KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica has signed a Letter of Intent with the United Nations (UN) World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to establish a structured training and skills-building programme on intellectual property (IP) for diplomats and government officials.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith (left), and Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang, sign copies of a letter of intent for training on intellectual property (IP)Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, and WIPO Director General, Daren Tang, signed the agreement for the programme, which will be delivered by WIPO Academy through the Jamaican Foreign Service Institute over three years.
The objective is to improve the capacities of the Institute to deliver regular and effective training and skills-building programmes on IP. It will be geared towards enhancing the understanding of diplomats and government officials of the basic concepts of IP, while promoting understanding of the importance of IP for development and economic growth.
The programme further aims to enhance the understanding of the linkages between IP and key global challenges and to familiarise diplomats and government officials with the main ongoing multilateral discussions on IP, to ensure they are effectively representing Jamaica’s interests within the evolving international IP landscape.
Tang said that intellectual property is especially important in a culture like Jamaica’s, which is driven by creativity in various aspects.
“Intellectual property supports your creators to bring their music to the world, intellectual property supports your sports persons, associations and athletes to protect their brand and image. For example, Usain Bolt has trademarked his signature (pose),” Tang said.
He said further, that IP rights are important for start-ups and businesses that want to take their ideas to the world and for universities and researchers to be able to commercialise their ideas into actual products.
“So, I’m here to see how we can better support Jamaica… your vibrant people, economy, your inventors, your creators… to use intellectual property not just to protect but also to commercialise and monetise, so that Jamaican ideas, the Jamaican spirit and culture become protected and valued throughout the world,” Tang said.
He told the ceremony he is looking forward to concrete results, ideas and initiatives that support Jamaican entrepreneurs, inventors, innovators and creators, resulting from his working visit to the island.
Tang and a WIPO delegation will remain on the island until May 20 and that the signing of the Letter of Intent with the Foreign Affairs Ministry forms part of a wider programme of engagements during the official visit.
