In a significant move to
enhance bilateral relations, the Director General of the African Regional
Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and his delegation returned to China
from 8 – 10 April 2024, after their successful mission to the Boao Forum
for
Asia Annual Conference. DG Bemanya Twebaze paid a bilateral visit to the China
National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and had productive
engagements with Commissioner Shen Changyu. The purpose of this
visit was to strengthen the existing cooperation between ARIPO and CNIPA, which
has been in place for over 17 years.
The collaboration between
ARIPO and CNIPA dates back to July 2007, when a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) was signed between ARIPO and the State Intellectual Property Office
(SIPO), now known as CNIPA. The Director General expressed appreciation for the
progress made under the MoU, highlighting it as one of the most active
agreements for both organizations. He further noted that ARIPO is ready to
explore areas of further cooperation given the many available opportunities
since China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive
years, with bilateral trade reaching a record of US$282.1 billion in 2023.
Despite facing challenges due
to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which caused some interruptions in the two
organizations’ annual plans of action, both offices have remained committed to
fostering cooperation. The Director General reaffirmed ARIPO’s readiness to
solidify the relationship with CNIPA and explore new areas of collaboration.
This visit signifies ARIPO's continued effort to strengthen ties and promote mutual understanding in intellectual property matters with markets worldwide. The discussions held during this meeting are expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation and joint initiatives that will benefit both CNIPA and the ARIPO Member States.