Opening of the 66th Session of the World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly

On the morning of July 8, 2025, the 66th Annual Session of the General Assembly of Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opened at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

This year's conference had more than 1,600 delegates from 194 member countries and observer organizations attending, and was recorded as the conference with the largest number of delegates ever.

The Vietnamese delegation attending the Conference was led by Mr. Luu Hoang Long, Director General of the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Science and Technology . The Vietnamese delegation also included Mr. Mai Phan Dung, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation and Mr. Pham Quang Huy, Counselor, Deputy Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam in Geneva, along with representatives of relevant units of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Director General Luu Hoang Long speaks at the opening session of the WIPO General Assembly. Photo: National Office of Intellectual Property

Focus on building a transparent, fair and comprehensive intellectual property ecosystem

In his opening remarks at the WIPO General Assembly, WIPO Director General Daren Tang highlighted three major trends shaping the global innovation landscape. First, the rapid development of digital technology and artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the way intellectual property rights are created, protected and exploited. Second, innovation is increasingly becoming a central driving force for economic growth and enhancing national competitiveness. Third, international cooperation in the field of intellectual property is increasingly expanding, creating many opportunities but also posing many challenges in terms of policy and management.

The WIPO Director General called on countries, businesses and the international community to join hands to promote sustainable, human-centered innovation. He stressed the importance of building a transparent, equitable and inclusive intellectual property ecosystem to ensure that all members of society have the opportunity to access, contribute to and benefit from innovation.

Vietnamese delegation attends the 66th session of the WIPO General Assembly. Photo: National Office of Intellectual Property

Vietnam affirms the strategic role of intellectual property in national development

Speaking at the opening session of the WIPO General Assembly, Director General Luu Hoang Long emphasized Vietnam's consistent view that science and technology, innovation and digital transformation are key and decisive factors in the country's new development stage.

Mr. Luu Hoang Long also affirmed the strategic role of intellectual property in Vietnam's transformation process, from improving the investment environment, increasing business value, promoting innovation activities, to protecting consumer rights and deeply integrating into the global digital economy.

Mr. Luu Hoang Long said that Vietnam highly appreciates the leading role of WIPO in coordinating, promoting and developing the global intellectual property system. Thanks to WIPO's central role, countries can connect more closely in protecting, managing, exploiting and commercializing intellectual property, a key factor in promoting economic growth at both the national and global levels.

Vietnam pledges to continue being an active, constructive and responsible member of WIPO, and wishes to enhance close and effective cooperation with member states and WIPO to build a global intellectual property ecosystem that is balanced, effective, flexible and adaptable to the increasingly complex challenges of today's world.

Panorama of the 66th WIPO General Assembly. Photo: National Office of Intellectual Property

The 66th session of the WIPO General Assembly will last until July 17, with a number of important contents, including: Plan to organize the election of the WIPO Director General in 2026, decisions related to the composition of the Coordination Committee, the Program and Budget Committee, review of the draft work plan and budget allocation for the period 2026-2027, along with discussion and approval of reports of specialized committees and international registration systems managed by WIPO./.

Center for Science and Technology Communication, Department of International Cooperation

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/khai-mac-ky-hop-lan-thu-66-dai-hoi-dong-to-chuc-so-huu-tri-tue-the-gioi-197250709180111191.htm