Minister highlights innovation, IP strategy at WIPO dialogue
Doha
Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs HE Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed represented Qatar at the high-level ministerial policy dialogue convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Held under the theme 'Shaping the Future of Innovation,' the event brought together ministers of trade and economy, heads of international organisations, and leading global experts to deliberate on the evolving landscape of innovation and intellectual property (IP).
In his address, Al Sayed emphasised the crucial role of international cooperation in fostering a resilient, knowledge-based global economy, particularly in light of growing global transformations. He highlighted the importance of policy dialogues like the WIPO gathering, noting their value in exchanging strategic insights on the future of innovation and economic competitiveness.
The minister of state reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to positioning innovation at the core of its national development agenda, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030). These frameworks aim to transform Qatar into a global hub for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.
He outlined the ministry's ambitious strategies launched in January 2025, aimed at boosting productivity and sectoral competitiveness. These strategies prioritise key economic sectors, support robust public–private partnerships, and foster an enabling environment for startups and entrepreneurs.
Al Sayed also pointed to Qatar's world-class innovation infrastructure, notably the Qatar Science and Technology Park, as a catalyst for research, development, and investment. He noted the country's comprehensive incentive packages for strategic sectors, designed to attract both local and foreign investors.
Highlighting Qatar's efforts to modernise its intellectual property framework, he underscored the value of strategic collaboration with WIPO. He cited the June 2023 memorandum of understanding signed between Qatar and WIPO to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in integrating IP into their business strategies as a key milestone.
Another major development was Qatar's accession to the Madrid Protocol for the international registration of trademarks in May 2024, which came into effect on August 3, 2024. This step has significantly simplified procedures for trademark registration, thereby enhancing the investment climate and improving legal certainty for international businesses operating in Qatar.
On the sidelines of the WIPO dialogue, Al Sayed held a bilateral meeting with WIPO Director General Daren Tang. The two officials discussed avenues for deepening cooperation between Qatar and WIPO, particularly in the areas of dispute resolution, intellectual property protection, and capacity building.
A key highlight of their discussion was Qatar's upcoming hosting of a high-level conference in collaboration with WIPO, titled 'The Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms and the Protection of Intellectual Property and Innovation in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment for Sustainable Development – Qatar National Vision 2030 and Beyond.'
The conference is expected to serve as a platform for legal experts, investors, and policy makers to explore the intersection of IP protection and foreign direct investment within a framework of sustainable development.
Concluding his remarks at the WIPO dialogue, Al Sayed reiterated Qatar's firm commitment to establishing an integrated system that safeguards intellectual property rights, promotes innovation, and supports economic diversification. He affirmed that protecting IP is essential not only for fostering innovation but also for securing long-term economic growth and international investor confidence.
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