World Intellectual Property Organization, or WIPO (acronym), supports a strong global intellectual property system.
WIPO, an agency of the United Nations, is an institution devoted to creating an accessible international intellectual property system that fosters creativity while supporting technology transfer.
WIPO was established in 1967 as an international forum for discussing intellectual property policies and cooperating on initiatives. Currently, there are 187 member countries belonging to WIPO, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
WIPO’s primary roles are administering international treaties, providing policy advice to member states, and cooperating with other international organizations on intellectual property.
Administering international treaties is one of WIPO’s most essential functions. WIPO oversees 26 multilateral treaties on copyright, trademarks, patents, and design protection. These treaties set up international norms and standards that member states sign on to respect.
Moreover, WIPO offers member states policy advice on intellectual property matters. WIPO’s policy work is driven by the WIPO Development Agenda, which WIPO member states unanimously adopted in 2007.
An intellectual property system that serves the interests of all countries–in particular developing countries–is envisaged under the WIPO Development Agenda that the WIPO General Assembly adopted in 2007.
WIPO also works with other international organizations on intellectual property matters. Several organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO), and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), have formal agreements with WIPO.
WIPO’s engagement in intellectual property is instrumental in helping achieve the SDGs or the Sustainable Development Goals, which the United Nations General Assembly adopted by 2015.
The SDGs are 17 goals that all UN member states have pledged to attain by 2030.
WIPO’s work on intellectual property is relevant to Goal 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure and Goal 17 on partnerships for the goals.