WIPO marked the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement with a High-Level Panel discussion held during the sidelines of the 66th WIPO Assemblies of Member States.
The Panel brought together representatives from current and prospective signatories to the Geneva Act to exchange views on the use of WIPO’s international registration system for appellations of origin (AOs) and geographical indications (GIs), highlighting practical experiences and expectations under the agreement.
Speakers highlighted how the Geneva Act is helping local communities and producers by strengthening legal protection, improving branding and traceability, and opening doors to global markets. They also spoke of its role in preserving cultural heritage while supporting economic growth and development.
WIPO Director General Daren Tang emphasized the role of the agreement in bringing more inclusive benefits through intellectual property (IP). “GIs are a way for us to connect with communities that are not connected to the IP system, in new, sustainable, exciting, and meaningful ways,” he said. “This is the reason why interest in GIs is growing, and why the Geneva Act is covering over 60 countries in the last ten years, with another 21 accessions underway.”
Ouk Prachea, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, noted the agreement had promoted visibility and value of the country’s geographical indications. “The Geneva Act of the Lisbon System has proven to be an essential tool not only for safeguarding our GIs abroad, but also for enhancing the branding value, and traceability. More importantly, it has contributed to the social and economic empowerment of the communities who cultivate and maintain rich tradition,” he said.
Cambodia was the first country to join the Geneva Act, having deposited its instruments of accession on March 9, 2018. It was also the first country to obtain a GI under this Act for its “Kampot pepper”.
Denis Loukou Bohoussou, Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), spoke about the potential of geographical indications across a region where handicrafts and agricultural goods dominate the local economy. He also observed that that linking these products to their place of origin may strengthen their market position and boost recognition in more lucrative markets - a policy priority of OAPI since 2005.
“The Geneva Act allows OAPI Member States to have visibility in international markets. This visibility is increasing with the numbers of GIs registered. But beyond giving products visibility, what we are realizing is that GIs also gave OAPI Member States more visibility,” he stated.
Diego Canga Fano, Acting Deputy Director General, Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, reaffirmed the EU’s continued engagement with the Geneva Act. “We continue to believe that the Lisbon System, and particularly the Geneva Act, is a unique and effective system at the multilateral level for all WIPO Members to registered and protect appellations of origin and geographical indications,” he said.
Soso Giorgadze, Chairman of Georgia’s National Intellectual Property Center, welcomed growing momentum around the Geneva Act, and indicated that his country would accede to the Geneva Act on July 14, 2025. “The Lisbon Agreement has enabled us to protect our unique products internationally across multiple locations. Today, with 42 appellations of origin and 31 GIs registered in Georgia, the significance of the Geneva Act continues to grow,” he said.
Claudette Joseph, Minister of Legal Affairs, Labour, and Community Affairs of Grenada, expressed her country’s aspiration to join the System. “Grenada’s desire to become a State Party to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement is motivated by a desire to protect our world-renowned, quality products linked to origin of cocoa and nutmeg. We are especially motivated by the fact that many players in the market seek to trade by using “Grenada cocoa” and “Grenada nutmeg” as an indication of source for trading cocoa and nutmeg products when in reality it is said the products do not contain Grenada cocoa or Grenada nutmeg,” she said.
Sumbe Antas, Ambassador of Vanuatu to the United Nations in Geneva, noted that “GIs are not only economic tools but cultural anchors and pathways to sustainable development.” He also noted that a draft legislation for the protection of GIs and accession to the Geneva Act will be debated in the national parliament towards the end of the year. At the center of Vanuatu’s effort stands “Kava”, the country’s most iconic, commercial and cultural significant product, and for some other Pacific Island countries as well.
What is the Geneva Act
The Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement allows the international registration of GIs, in addition to AOs, and permits the accession to the Lisbon Agreement by certain intergovernmental organizations in addition to individual countries. It was adopted on May 20, 2015, and entered into force on February 26, 2020.