(WIPO GA) (Geneva, hybrid, 21 April 2026)

By Dr. Metka Potočnik (she/her/hers), Senior Lecturer in Law, Wolverhampton Law School

IIPSJ attended the extraordinary 67th World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assemblies (GA), in their capacity as the WIPO Accredited Observer. In our fourth year of continuous
attendance, IIPSJ participated in the official hearings at the WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, with the Associate Director for International Programmes, Dr Metka Potočnik, attending the length of the proceedings online. The aim of the extraordinary session was to agree the future leadership of the organization, the re-appointment of, and terms of employment of Director General Tang. This followed the nomination of DG Tang for the position by the Coordination Committee in its 29th Extraordinary Session between 12 to 13 February 2026. The reappointment is for another six years
and begins on 1 October 2026.

In his address, DG Tang briefly took stock of the organization’s key achievements since he took office on 1 October 2020, of which there were several and include also two new, international treaties,
agreed by WIPO Member States by consensus (Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge; and Riyadh Design Law Treaty). Looking forward, WIPO needs to be at the forefront of technological, digital and AI innovation, while not forgetting about the “human touch.” It is also worth noting that DG Tang sees IP as an issue, that should cross streams from specialist areas, to mainstream, where “we will need to aspire for IP to become mainstream, not just as policy priorities for governments and leaders but as something recognized and valued by people everywhere, that when someone talks about technology, brands, designs, art, culture, sports, agriculture, trade, economy, finance and our world, they are aware that IP plays an important role in all of these.”

His address was received warmly by all in attendance, while several WIPO Member States noting that much work remains to be done, in the current oft challenging circumstances.

IIPSJ is continues to contribute to future discussions in WIPO, with the aim of building a more inclusive WIPO eco-system. The IIPSJ team are working towards a meaningful participation the regular, 68th WIPO General Assembly, which is taking place in Geneva (hybrid), between 7 to 15 July 2026. If you are interested in contributing to IIPSJ work in this space, do contact the IIPSJ directly.