The ARIPO Director General, Bemanya Twebaze, met with Cabo Verde’s Prime Minister, His Excellency (H.E) Jose Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva on 13 April 2023, to discuss Cabo Verde’s socio-economic scope from an intellectual property perspective during his High-Level Mission to Cabo Verde from 10 to 14 April 2023.
The Director General also conducted engagements with key Government stakeholders including H.E Alexandre Dias Monteiro- Minister of Industry, Trade & Energy, H.E Dr. Rui Alberto Figueiredo Soares – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation & Regional Integration, H.E Abraão Vicente – The Minister of Culture and Creative Industries, H.E. Adalgisa Barbosa Vaz – Secretary of State for Business Development and the Secretary of State for Digital Economy – H.E. Pedro Lopes from the Ministry of Finance.
Director General Bemanya Twebaze & H.E Dr. Rui Alberto Figueiredo Soares – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation & Regional Integration
The Republic of Cabe Verde joined ARIPO on 14 July 2022 when it deposited its instruments of Accession to ARIPO and its Protocols. It became the 22nd ARIPO Member State.
Cabo Verde ratified four of the five ARIPO Protocols: the Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs, the Banjul Protocol on Marks, the Swakopmund Protocol for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Folklore, and the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New varieties of plants.
This forms part of the DG’s mission to appreciate Cabo Verde’s confidence in the work being done by ARIPO and to conduct dialogue concerning the Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights, which Cabo Verde is yet to ratify.
In his message to the Cabo Verde leadership, the Director General reiterated ARIPO’s commitment to supporting the country in collaboration towards protecting IP rights, promoting a balanced IP protection system and developing cultural industries.
Director General Bemanya Twebaze & H.E Abraão Vicente – The Minister of Culture and Creative Industries
As an intergovernmental organization focused specifically on IP in Africa, ARIPO has a unique leadership role to play in shaping regional IP policy and practice. Over the years, ARIPO has positioned itself as a leading Office in IP matters in Africa, and has created value for Member States and the African Continent.
DG Bemanya took the opportunity presented by these engagements to enquire about the country’s strategy and direction concerning the progression of copyright and the economy surrounding the arts and creative industries.
Discussions also allowed the ARIPO delegation to share insights on the mandate and operations of ARIPO in affirmation of its capability to support Cabo Verde in achieving their national goals, especially the use of Intellectual Property to achieve competitiveness of local products, among others.
Speaking to Cabo Verde’s leadership, DG Bemanya expounded on the available resources such as access to technical expertise, training and capacity building, as well as the benefits stemming from the IP modernization systems developed at the regional level for the benefit of national IP Offices.
He also highlighted the streamlined ARIPO ecosystem which allows countries to share ideas and experiences on policy, legal framework, strategies and procedures in the administration of IP and enables Member States to participate in regional policy-making and advocacy efforts.
The ARIPO delegation & members of Cabo Verde’s National IP Office
The ARIPO delegation was welcomed by Mrs. Ana Spencer – President of the Institute for Quality Management & Intellectual Property (IGQPI), who is the head of Cabo Verde’s National Intellectual Property (IP) Office. DG Bemanya commended Mrs. Spencer on her influential role in Cabo Verde’s accession to ARIPO which translated the country from Observer State status.
The ARIPO delegation includes Mr. Pierre Runinga – Head of Legal and International Cooperation, Ms. Pedzisayi Rewayi – Senior Formality Examiner and Mr. Said Ramadan – Senior Examiner Biochemistry.