Report on Cooperation between the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the LDCs - Implementation of the WIPO Deliverables for the decade 2011-2020, Executive Summary

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has been actively engaged with least developed countries (LDCs) to contribute to their efforts towards implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 (IPoA). The Organization has been providing support to LDCs in the well-defined thematic priority areas under the WIPO Deliverables for LDCs for 2011-2020, adopted on the occasion of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (UN LDC-IV). WIPO’s support and technical assistance to LDCs have been premised on building the technological capacity of the public and private sectors; providing access to scientific and technical information; the formulation and implementation of innovation and intellectual property (IP) policies and strategies; the establishment of technology and innovation support centers; the transfer of appropriate technology; branding; the strengthening of managerial and technical capacities; and the provision of service infrastructure. In addition, the importance of gender equality was emphasized throughout the implementation of the various activities. More specifically, WIPO has been helping LDCs to develop and implement IP policies and innovation strategies, which set out the measures formulated and implemented by governments to encourage and facilitate effective invention, innovation, creativity and management of IP assets, institutions and systems. Since 2010, 29 LDCs have adopted and are in the process of implementing IP policies and strategies at the national level. (...)