WIPO Director General Daren Tang concluded a two-day official visit to Italy on October 15, 2026, where he met senior government officials, academic and business leaders, representatives of the creative industries and GI producers.
Discussions focused on the role of intellectual property (IP) in strengthening innovation, competitiveness, creativity and sustainable economic development.
Rome Engagements
- Discussed strengthening business competitiveness through IP commercialization and financing with Vice Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini. Talks also covered effective IP enforcement.
- Held discussions with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli on multilateralism and the role of IP in development cooperation.
- Met with Undersecretary of State for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Patrizio Giacomo La Pietra and representatives of leading Italian GI consortia to discuss GI protection, promotion and international recognition.
- Met with Head of the Department for Market and Consumer Protection Amedeo Teti and Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM) representatives to take stock of WIPO–Italy cooperation on SME and startup support, IP promotion and enforcement, GIs, technology transfer and research commercialization.
- Launched, together with Mayor Francesco Re of Santo Stefano di Camastra, a new WIPO–UIBM pilot project for Ceramica di Santo Stefano di Camastra to strengthen producers’ capacities, helping turn more than three centuries of craftsmanship into greater economic value for producers and the local community.
- Spoke about the growing importance of intangible assets at Luiss Business School. Also highlighted WIPO’s partnership with Luiss on the Global INTAN-Invest Database and related research and the importance of better data and policies to unlock the economic value of intangible assets.
- Met with Vice President of Confindustria Marco Nocivelli to discuss IP-backed financing and practical support for SMEs to better manage, commercialize and leverage their intangible assets for growth and competitiveness.
- Delivered a keynote at FAPAV’s Dreamers – Feel the Beat conference on copyright’s role in sustaining music, audiovisual industries and creators’ livelihoods. Called for stronger anti-piracy action and creator support through WIPO Connect and CLIP, stressing that AI should empower, not undermine or replace, human creativity.
- Met with Francesca Via, General Manager of Fondazione Cinema per Roma and Film Festival Director, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding filmmakers’, creators’ and performers’ rights.
