Global Challenges and Intellectual Property

WIPO’s work in the area of Global Challenges aims to emphasize the positive relationship between innovation and intellectual property (IP), and how IP can best be used for economic and social development. More specifically, WIPO harnesses expertise in the crucial global policy debates related to IP, focusing on three global challenges:

This emphasis on development is based on evidence that the most immediate impact of many of these challenges is borne by developing and least developed countries. WIPO is thus building on its development objectives and the recommendations adopted under the WIPO Development Agenda.

WIPO’s Global Challenges program provides fact-based information, hands-on advice and effective support services in working towards practical solutions to leverage innovation that can have a positive impact in addressing global challenges worldwide. It also makes an overall contribution to the global policy debate, particularly as it relates to development:

• Developing a think tank function focusing on policy analysis, dialogue and bringing different constituencies together to explore ideas, options and possible solutions in relation to global challenges
• Sharing ideas, expertise and information on meeting global challenges
• Exploring, initiating and developing platforms and goal-oriented partnerships designed to address global challenges