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| President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete chats with Dr. Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) moments before opening the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es salaam today March 12, 2013. |
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| A standing ovation as President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete arrives for the opening the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es salaam today March 12, 2013. |
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| opening the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es salaam today March 12, 2013. |
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| Dr. Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), speaks at the opening of the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es salaam today March 12, 2013. |
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| Hon. Dr. Abdallah Kigoda, Minister for Industry and Trade, invites President Kikwete to address the gathering |
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| President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete opens the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es salaam today March 12, 2013. |
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| A cross section of participants to the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es salaam today March 12, 2013. |
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| Dr. Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), meets with Eng. George Mulamula, the CEO of the Dar Teknohama (ICT) Business Incubator (DTBi) and Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, Senior Adviser to the President (Diplomatic Affairs) after the opening of the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es salaam today March 12, 2013. |
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President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete poses with Ministers and heads of delegations after opening the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es salaam today March 12, 2013.
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Some twenty African ministers, senior policy makers and enterpreneurs joined President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania and WIPO Director General Francis Gurry at the opening of a two-day conference in Dar es Salaam to discuss the role of intellectual property (IP) in stimulating innovation and development. The conference, organized by WIPO and the Japan Patent Office in cooperation with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, is also addressing the importance of innovation in dealing with some of today’s most pressing global challenges, such as public health, food security and climate change.
Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete said proper use of intellectual property can contribute to economic development and the eradication of poverty in African countries. He said “IP policies should be integrated with development policies.” The President appealed to development partners “to explore the possibilities of increasing support to African countries in IP issues.” He stressed “IP issues should be regarded as development issues. They should not be dealt with in isolation.”
“Africa has a great tradition of innovation and creativity,” Mr. Gurry said in opening the African Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property (IP) Policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness. “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.”
Mr. Gurry added that “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.” He noted that investment in knowledge creation, and the maintenance of a robust and balanced IP system, should feature prominently in any strategy to ensure sustainable economic growth, and pledged the Organization’s commitment in assisting countries to develop national innovation strategies.
Mr. Toshihiro Kose, Director General, Trademark, Design and Administrative Affairs Department, Japan Patent Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said “Japan is fully committed to supporting the development of Africa’s IP systems through its funds-in-trust for Africa and LDCs program that is managed by WIPO.” Mr. Kose stressed that “effective IP systems stimulate innovation.” He pointed out that this conference is the largest organized this fiscal year through its funds-in-trust program, adding, “I hope it will be a successful occasion to foster a better environment for accelerating protection and utilization of IP in Africa.”
The conference brings together ministers responsible for IP related matters, ministers for science and technology, heads of IP offices, as well as representatives of research and development (R&D) institutions and innovation centers, entrepreneurs from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), major industrial companies operating in Africa, regional economic communities and regional financial institutions to discuss a wide-ranging agenda on how the continent can best capitalize on IP for promoting innovation.
The main topics that will be covered during the conference are:
- Innovation policies and strategies;
- Use of existing knowledge and information to promote innovation and technology transfer (including patent databases, technology and innovation support center (TISC), Patentscope, WIPO Re:Search, etc), along with appropriate innovation research training, tools and techniques, to find solutions to problems to today’s most pressing policy challenges;
- Use of the IP system to promote and capture innovation in Africa and identify the common elements of an effective innovation policy and the IP elements that should be integrated into such a policy.
Ministers and senior officials taking part in the conference will remain in Dar es Salaam to participate in a meeting jointly organized by WIPO and the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on March 14, 2013. ECOSOC’s Annual Ministerial Review (AMR): Regional Preparatory Meeting for Africa will help determine Africa’s contribution to the annual Ministerial ECOSOC meeting which will take place in July 2013 in Geneva. The meeting will address the role of science, technology and innovation in achieving the development goals of the Africa.
About WIPO
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the leading global forum for the promotion of intellectual property as a force for innovation and creativity to achieve positive change.
A specialized agency of the United Nations, WIPO assists its 185 member states in developing a balanced international IP legal framework to meet society’s evolving needs. It provides business services for obtaining IP rights in multiple countries and resolving disputes. It delivers capacity-building programs to help developing countries benefit from using IP. And it provides free access to unique knowledge banks of IP information.
SPEECH BY H.E. DR. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA,
AT THE OPENING OF THE AFRICAN
CONFERENCE ON THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) POLICIES TO
FOSTER INNOVATION, VALUE CREATION AND COMPETITIVENESS, ON 12 MARCH 2013, KILIMANJARO
HYATT REGENCY HOTEL, DAR ES SALAAM,
Honourable Dr. Abdallah Kigoda, Minister for
Industry and Trade;
Mr. Bruno Jean Richard Ihua, Chairman African
Ministers Council on Science and Technology;
Honourable Ministers and Heads of delegation;
Dr. Francis Gurry, Director General of the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO);
Mr. Elberic Kacou, UN Resident Coordinator;
H.E. Masaki Okada, Ambassador of Japan to
Tanzania;
Mr. Toshihiro Kose, Director General, Trademark,
Design and Administration Affairs Department, Japan Patent Office,
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and Members of the
Diplomatic Corps;
Invited guests;
Distinguished participants;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I thank you Dr. Francis Gurry, the Director
General of WIPO, and your entire team for associating me with this all
important African Conference on the
Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to Foster Innovation,
Value Creation and Competitiveness. I sincerely, thank you for choosing my
dear country, Tanzania, to host this Conference. You have made us proud. We will always remain grateful for affording
us this rare honour and privilege.
I also thank all the participants who have
travelled many miles to come to Dar es Salaam to participate at this
Conference. I welcome you all to Tanzania and Dar es Salaam in particular. I believe you have been received well. Please
feel at home and enjoy the traditional Tanzanian hospitality. Your presence here is a clear testimony of your
realisation of the strategic importance of intellectual property (IP) to
Africa’s development.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is
a statement of fact that leveraging and protecting Intellectual Property (IP) such
as patents, copyrights and other similar forms is a key factor of promoting socio-economic
growth and development of nations. It encourages innovation, invention and
development of new technologies. It promotes
both domestic and foreign investment, facilitates technology transfer and increases
agricultural and industrial production.
It is
an imperative, therefore, that countries must put in place effective IP policies
and related laws. Developed countries have fully apprehended the dynamics of
intellectual property in inevitably driving developments in their respective
countries and in the global arena. Fortunately, many developing countries are increasingly
becoming aware of the importance of IP in their development endeavours and are
taking appropriate measures in this regard.
I am
aware of the arguments from some corners that Intellectual Property may not be as
beneficial to developing countries because it limits technology transfer
through imitation. I know, also, the assertion that IP increases the prices of
medicine, agricultural inputs and many other things. However, true this may be, embracing IP
policies and measures is comparatively, far more beneficial to the overall
growth of nations and economies than doing otherwise. Putting in place appropriate IP policies and
measures are critical factors in promoting innovation and competitiveness which
play key role in economic growth and sustainable development.
It is
for this reason that many African countries have been taking serious steps to
embrace, anchor and nurture IP. In recent times IP issues have been assuming
centre stage in nations development strategies. On the whole, the level of commitment by African
countries is increasing and accordingly, the support of international community
has been forthcoming. The challenge before us is that of lack of adequate
experts and institutional capacity to develop effective policies and related
laws.
Distinguished
participants;
Just
like many other African countries, Tanzania is also aware of the benefits and
role that intellectual property can play for accelerating the socio-economic
development of our country. We know, for sure, that effective and strategic use
of intellectual property has assisted many countries across the globe to attain
rapid economic development. It has also assisted people in those countries to
be creative and innovative, hence became economically competitive.
Aware
of these realities, since 1983 we have intensified our collaboration with WIPO for
the purpose of realising the benefits of intellectual property. We have
established the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) with the
mandate to administer industrial property laws in the country. We have also established the Copyright
Society of Tanzania (COSOTA) which deals with copyright issues. The two
institutions are doing a good job but there is a lot more work to do ahead of
them.
We
have already formulated our National IP Strategy and we are now in the process
of formulating the National IP Policy. WIPO has been very instrumental in the modest
achievements we have made todate. I would
like to seize this opportunity to thank the Director General of WIPO for the invaluable
financial and technical support extended to us in this regard. Thank you for
walking with us in every step we have been taking. It has made a huge difference. I trust that the existing cooperation will be
sustained and strengthened.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
We know
for sure, that once the IP policy is in place and fully implemented, it will
assist producers of industrial and agricultural products to compete effectively
in the local, regional and global market place. We are fully aware that when products
are identified with trade marks to distinguish them from similar products of
competitors, they become more competitive in the market. The example of Ethiopian coffee farmers who have
branded their coffee beans and are now reaping premium price for their products
gives us inspiration. I am happy to note that WIPO is assisting Tanzania to develop
a branding strategy for our distinctive agricultural products.
Apart
from industrial and agro products, the IP policy will also support the growth
of Creative or Copyright Based Industry in the country. At the moment the
industry is growing fast and employs a large segment of the population, particularly
our youths. It has a huge capacity and
potential to employ many more in future.
So far the Copyright Society of Tanzania has registered a large number
of artists’ and literary work and continues to work tirelessly to curb piracy. We
know, however, with an effective IP policy, we can do more, we can do
better. Short of that, stakeholders will
be discouraged and it will be a daunting task to cultivate a credible and
attractive creative industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
As I
alluded to earlier, one of the major challenges that many African countries are
facing is lack of a critical mass of experts to formulate and enforce effective
IP policies and related laws. We, in Tanzania are also facing the same
challenge, but have decided to deal with it.
I am happy to say that, the University of Dar es Salaam in collaboration
with BRELA and the African Regional Industrial Property Organisation (ARIPO)
will soon sign an MoU to launch a masters degree program in IP. This will
definitely help in easing and ultimately, eliminate the shortage of experts in
the field of IP.
I
would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate and commend the University
of Dar es Salaam, BRELA and ARIPO for the wise and visionary decision to address
this important matter. I sincerely, hope that WIPO will extend the necessary support
to this initiative and help make it a success.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Let me restate that, I have no doubt in my
mind that properly anchoring use of intellectual
property can contribute immensely to socio-economic development and eradication
of poverty in our nations. Appropriate IP
policies and laws coupled with an effective education system, availability of
financial resources to pursue technological development and the presence of a
network of supporting institutions and legal structures will deliver the
desired results and benefits. Because many African countries are lagging
behind, there is need to find ways of assisting them in building the capacity
to formulate and implement IP policies and measures. The assistance should go beyond IP policies
and embrace other related matters and sectors. In other words, IP policies
should be integrated with development policies.
May I use this opportunity to appeal to our development partners to explore
the possibilities of increasing support to African countries in IP related
issues. IP should be regarded as an integral part of the development issues
they are engaged with. They should not be looked differently and dealt with in
isolation.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Before
I conclude my speech, it would be remiss of me if I concluded my remarks
without recognising and commending the African Regional Industrial Property
Organisation (ARIPO) and the African Intellectual Property Organisation (AIPO)
for the good work they have doing on the continent. These two regional
organisations have been doing a wonderful job in creating awareness of IP
matters in Africa despite limited resources and other constraints. I appeal to Member
States to ensure that these two gallant organisations are well supported so as to
be able to continue to do the good job they are doing. I would like to pledge
Tanzania’s support. We look forward to
strengthening our cooperation with these important organisations. I call upon
the international community and regional organisations to enhance their support
in order to strengthen these organisations and make them more responsive to
Africa’s special needs.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
After
these many words, I now have the honour and privilege to declare the African
Conference on the Strategic Importance of Intellectual Property Policies to
Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness officially opened. I wish
you every success and fruitful deliberations.
I thank you for
your kind attention.
Nice post with great details. I really wish to attend some special conference like this. IICIE is a global center of innovations and entrepreneurs offering training, certifications (CBIM) and membership in the fields of Technology, Biotech, Green Energy, Gaming and New Media.
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