WIPO and Serbia Sign Cooperation Agreement

Geneva, October 26, 2010
PR/2010/669

WIPO Director General Francis Gurry concluded a two-day official visit to the Republic of Serbia on October 26, 2010 during which he met a number of high level Government representatives, including Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković. Mr. Gurry and the Prime Minister signed an agreement laying out a framework for collaboration between WIPO and Serbia.

Talks with the Prime Minister and other Government officials, including Mr. Ivica Dacić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Vuk Jeremić, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Miloš Nedeljković, State Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Mr. Viktor Nedović, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Science and Technological Development, focused on how Serbia can best exploit the intellectual property (IP) system for economic and cultural development, as well as ways in which WIPO can support national efforts to strengthen the country’s IP capacity.  

The agreement between WIPO and Serbia builds on various activities that are already underway such as the development of a national intellectual property and innovation strategy, various IP office automation and infrastructure projects, and training and capacity-building across all branches of IP.

During his visit, the Director General addressed a public forum at the University of Belgrade, Serbia’s oldest and largest university.  He spoke about the role of intellectual property in innovation and economic development, highlighting the encouraging growth in Serbia’s higher education sector and research output over the past 10-20 years. Mr. Gurry commended the Government’s plans to significantly increase science and technology spending and infrastructure.  He spoke about the role of innovation not only in economic development, but in improving quality of life and addressing public policy challenges.  The meeting at the University was hosted by Vice-Rector Nevenka Zaric.

The Director General also visited Serbia’s Intellectual Property Office, which this year celebrates its 90th anniversary and held talks with top officials, including its Director, Mrs. Branka Totić.