Laying the Foundation for a Strategic IP Ecosystem Roadmap in Lao PDR
The National IP Strategy aims to reflect a shared national vision and serve as a strategic roadmap for building a vibrant innovation and creative ecosystem in Lao PDR, using IP as a tool for economic growth.
More than three dozen government officials, representatives of various government Ministries and departments, as well as representatives of the private sector and academia gathered to exchange on the role of the National IP Strategy and to share their inputs on the priorities, challenges and recommendations for the National IP Strategy development.
The launch event was chaired by Mr. Xaysomphet Norasingh, the Director General of DIP of Lao PDR. He emphasized the National IP Strategy’s alignment with key national plans, including the 2030 Vision, the Tenth National Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2026-2030), and the National Green Growth Strategy (to 2030).
Mr. Banxa Chanhming (Deputy Director General of DIP) highlighted the importance of developing a National IP Strategy to set a clear direction for the country’s IP system. He particularly highlighted the Strategy’s role in promoting creativity, innovation, and the reimagining of ideas to help transform the rich intellectual potential of the Lao people into valuable assets. This, he noted, would make a meaningful contribution to strengthening and sustaining the national economy, in line with the government’s socio-economic development plan.
An overview of the WIPO Methodology for the Development of National Intellectual Property Strategies was presented to guide Lao PDR’s National IP Strategy development process. WIPO emphasized the importance of National IP Strategy as a strategic tool to support national development by aligning policies and actions that promote the creation, use, and enforcement of IP with the country’s broader development goals. The launch ceremony also served as a platform for initiating high-level discussions on Lao PDR’s IP priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement Kicks Off National IP Strategy Development
Following the launch ceremony, WIPO and DIP, with the support of the regional and national experts, conducted a series of stakeholder consultations to assess the current state of the country’s innovation ecosystem. These consultations aimed to identify existing strengths, challenges, and opportunities, as well as to gather recommendations to inform the Strategy’s design and implementation.
Around 100 stakeholders from government institutions, the private sector, and academia shared their views on the strengths, gaps, and opportunities in the Lao PDR’s IP landscape. Stakeholders from government institutions included the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC), Ministry of Culture and Tourism, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), the Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Prosecutor’s Office, Customs, and the Commercial Court, among others. From the private sector, consultations involved entities such as the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), Lao Handicraft Association, local businesses, and representatives from creative industries and IP law firms. The National University of Laos also provided inputs from the academia perspective.
Key themes emerging from these consultations centered around the importance of IP awareness and education, IP enforcement and IP legal frameworks, enhanced institutional coordination, support for IP commercialization (in particular SMEs and creators), and the role of traditional knowledge and geographical indications.
Insights from these discussions will guide the development of the National IP Strategy, including the preparation of a diagnostic report, continued stakeholder consultations, and the drafting of a Strategy that responds to the country’s needs and priorities.