MFA Press Statement: Conference on Developing Countries’ Perspectives on Intellectual Property, 30 May - 1 June 2007

Singapore hosted an international conference on intellectual property (IP) from 30 May to 1 June 2007. The aim was to improve understanding of the perspectives of developing countries on the issue of IP development. The meeting would also help set a positive tone for further discussions which would culminate at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) General Assembly in September 2007.

The conference was attended by 57 government officials from 40 WIPO member states. Over two and a half days of candid and serious discussions, the participants covered issues such as the significance of tailor-made technical assistance to developing countries, and the importance of balancing private and public sector interests in formulating international IP policy.

Mr Geoffrey Yu, Senior Specialist Advisor to the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who chaired the conference, noted that "The discussions reflected the constructive spirit of cooperation and compromise among the participants."

Deputy Secretary (Law) BG (NS) Yap Ong Heng, who opened the meeting, described the conference as "yet another demonstration of the warm and close ties" between Singapore and WIPO. The conference demonstrated Singapore's commitment to cooperate with WIPO and its member states on sharing IP expertise at the bilateral, regional and international levels. It followed another successful WIPO Conference in Singapore in March 2006 for the Adoption of the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
1 JUNE 2007