Iran to Expand Collaboration With WIPO

EghtesadOnline: Iran is set to boost collaborations with the World Intellectual Property Organization. The matter was discussed in a meeting between Iran’s Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari and WIPO Director-General Francis Gurry last week.

News ID: ۷۸۲۷۸۶

30 May 2018

A vociferous critic of oil dependency, Sattari drew attention to the great potential of creative human resources in Iran, dubbing them as the stepping stone for a knowledge-based economy, as reported by the vice president’s website.

During the meeting on Sunday in Tehran, he pointed to the rapid development of the startup ecosystem in recent years and highlighted the favorable results achieved so far by ICT and biotech firms featuring young entrepreneurs, according to Financial Tribune.

“In addition, when it comes to inventions, Iranian youths have recorded a phenomenal growth in international patent registration,” noted Sattari, hoping for further cooperation with WIPO in this regard.

He shed light on the difficulties in the way of curbing the economy’s reliance on oil industries and increasing the knowledge-based firms’ share in Iran’s GDP, reiterating the significance of expanding interactions with WIPO.

The World Intellectual Property Organization is one of the 15 specialized agencies of the United Nations. Created in 1967, WIPO is to encourage creative activity and promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.

Gurry said the reported GII (Global Innovation Index) for Iran does not do justice to actual circumstances and falls short of reflecting the country’ capacities.

Gurry praised the active role the Iranian government has taken to support startups and acknowledged the country’s constant efforts in line with fostering innovation.

“Investors are disinclined to fund intangible properties, and the expansion of this market with venture capital grapples with great hardships,” he said, pitching the idea of holding workshops to convince investors to tap into Iran.

The summit concluded with the decision to hold various workshops in Iran. Similar programs have been held before jointly by the Iranian government and the WIPO.