Sights and Synopsis of the 15th WIPO – WTO Colloquium for Teachers of Intellectual Property

From 18 to 29 June 2018, I had the pleasure of participating in the 15^th World Intellectual Property Organisation  (WIPO) – World Trade Organisation (WTO) Colloquium for Teachers of Intellectual Property, which held in both the WIPO and WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

In addition to the high-quality presentations, I  particularly enjoyed interacting with other intellectual property experts from around the world.

There were 30 delegates from 28 countries represented at the colloquium:  from  Australia to Zambia.

The presentations were equally as varied. For example, there were discussions on copyrights, geographical indications, patents, plant variety protection, trademarks, as well as the challenges arising from intellectual property protection for artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals and traditional knowledge.

I loved all the presentations, for different reasons.

Learning about the complexities in knowledge governance, the width and depth of intellectual property issues especially its interrelations with politics, trade and socio-economic development, alongside the divergences in intellectual property systems and practices at the international and national levels, was truly fascinating.

Similarly, spending two weeks in the two key institutions regulating International Economic Law and Intellectual Property Law, coupled with meeting WIPO/WTO officials like Mr. Tshimanga  Kongolo, Mr. Edward Kwakwa, Mr. Antony Taubman and Ms. Jayashree Watal, whose interventions have contributed to my understanding of the political economy of intellectual property, was very enlightening.

Beyond the colloquium, the  36^th session of the WIPO -Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) also held in WIPO from 25 to 29 June 2019. This presented a valuable opportunity for me to interact with the Nigerian delegate, Professor Chidi Oguamanam, and the other African delegates. Notably, on Thursday, 28 June 2018, the WIPO-IGC also launched its new ‘ Guide to Intellectual Property Issues in Access and Benefit- Sharing Agreements.‘

However, the colloquium was not just all about presentations. I spent some evenings exploring the beautiful city of Geneva with my new friends.

WIPO also generously organised a reception -with lots of delicious finger food and drinks- on Thursday, 28 June.

Overall, I am glad I was invited to participate in the colloquium, as I developed new insights and even epiphanies,  which will no doubt enhance my future research and teaching.