The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) of Oman and with support from the Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global, organized the WIPO TISC Regional Meeting for the Arab Countries, in Muscat, Oman to strengthen the TISC Network in the Arab Region.
The WIPO TISC Regional Meeting for the Arab Countries was held in Muscat, Oman on November 5 and 6, 2025. Around 25 participants attended the meeting, including 13 National TISC Focal Persons from Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, and the Syrian Arab Republic as well as one representative from the League of Arab States (LAS) and one representative from the Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office (GCCPO).The main objective of the meeting was to reflect on recent developments in WIPO’s support for national and regional TISC networks and to assess the progress achieved within national TISC networks across Arab countries. Moreover, the meeting served as a platform for national TISC focal points to exchange experiences, share best practices and discuss strategies to further strengthen collaboration and capacity building within the region.
Updates on WIPO TISC Program
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Saleh bin Said Masan, Under Secretary; Ms. Nasra Sultan Al Habsi, Director General of Commerce and Mr. Khalid Al Hinai from MOCIIP. Mr. Faisal Ali Zaher Al Hinai, Deputy Permanent Representative of Oman to the WTO in Geneva and Mr. Takafumi Omiya, First Secretary and Head of Economic Section at the Embassy of Japan in Muscat were also present.
Following the opening ceremony, WIPO provided an overview of recent developments in the TISC Program and emphasized its continued commitment to strengthening collaboration with stakeholders to enhance support for TISC projects in the Member States. WIPO highlighted the value of regional cooperation, including experience sharing, institutional collaboration, coordinated procedures and cost-effective joint training. WIPO also introduced the new TISC Support Packages, which will offer tailored assistance based on each network’s development stage starting in January 2026. In addition, WIPO presented the TISC Project Planning and Management Platform (TPPM), emphasizing its role in improving the planning, monitoring and management of TISC projects through enhanced coordination, streamlined execution and stronger capacity building efforts. WIPO underscored that use of the TPPM will be essential for the effective implementation of the new TISC Support Packages.
Progress Update by National TISC Networks
TISC Focal Persons from participating countries delivered concise presentations outlining the progress of their respective national projects. They shared insights into their experiences, key achievements and challenges encountered in the development of their TISC networks in recent years. The presentations highlighted notable advancements in most national TISC initiatives, reflecting enhanced institutional capacity, improved service delivery and stronger stakeholder engagement. Overall, the session demonstrated a steady evolution of TISC networks across the region, with some countries moving toward more structured and sustainable innovation support ecosystems.
Strengthening the regional TISC Network in the Arab region
The Meeting provided a platform for an in-depth discussion on the opportunities and challenges surrounding regional cooperation among TISC networks, with a particular focus on capacity building, technical support, management skills and knowledge transfer.
Participants in the Regional Meeting engaged actively in the discussions and expressed a strong willingness to collaborate in advancing their respective TISC networks across the region. They recognized that exchanging knowledge and expertise among TISC centers is essential for closing existing gaps and ensuring sustainability. There was clear consensus among all representatives on the importance of further developing and strengthening the regional TISC network within the Arab region. Additional opportunities for collaboration between WIPO and the Arab region TISC Network will continue to be explored in the future.