WIPO Director General Takes Part in Meetingwith US President

Geneva, December 6, 1999
Press Updates UPD/1999/77

Broader grass roots participation in matters relating to international trade topped the agenda of a meeting convened by the President of the United States of America, Mr. Bill Clinton, and heads of international organizations, on December 1, 1999. The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Dr. Kamil Idris, who took part in the meeting, welcomed the initiative and underlined the need to reach out to the general public to demystify the issues that are covered by the United Nations, its specialized agencies and other international bodies.

At the meeting, called by President Clinton on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, Dr. Idris joined his counterparts in exploring ways that the international community could help ordinary citizens take advantage of the economic benefits of global free trade and investment.

The Director General shared his views on capacity building in developing countries for the promotion of creativity and the use of intellectual property for social, economic and cultural development. Dr. Idris also provided information on WIPO's technical assistance activities with developing countries. These include providing countries with the necessary training, and legal and technical advice to assist them, among other things, in realizing the inventive and creative potential of their people.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations & Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

Tel: (+41 22) 338 8161 or 338 95 47
Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int