New WIPO director promises to build ‘inclusive’ IP system
The new director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang, has today, October 1, officially begun his six-year term at the organisation.
Before his appointment in May, Tang served as chief executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). He was also chair of WIPO's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights from May 2017 until his appointment as director general.
In his acceptance speech, Tang said: “We must prioritise work towards building an inclusive global IP ecosystem that serves the interests of all countries and their stakeholders. Second, we must work towards a balanced global IP ecosystem, ensuring that the institutions, companies, policy makers, users and all stakeholders in our global innovation community can participate in, and benefit from, this global IP ecosystem.”
He added that WIPO must work towards “a vibrant and forward-looking” IP system.
“It must help the world broaden its perspective of IP beyond its legal and technical aspects to its powerful role as a supporter of entrepreneurs and enterprises, catalyst for investments, driver of economic growth and a promoter of social vibrancy,” he said.
Tang also committed to building a strong organisational foundation to ensure that WIPO remains a “dynamic, open and transparent organisation with a diverse staff membership that better reflects a fair gender and geographical balance.”
Between 1997 and 2012, Tang held different legal positions within the Attorney-General’s Chambers Singapore and the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore before his appointment to IPOS.
Tang is the fifth director general of WIPO, following following Francis Gurry of Australia (2008-2020), Kamil Idris of Sudan (1997-2008), Arpad Bogsch of the US (1973-1997) and Georg Bodenhausen of the Netherlands (1970-1973).
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