The 20th edition of the WIPO-WTO Colloquium for teachers and researchers of intellectual property (IP) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 3 to 14, 2025 at WIPO and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the annual event brought together twenty-six academics and researchers in the field of IP to gain deep insights on the most pressing issues at the forefront of international IP law and policy and share experiences and best practices about the latest trends and cutting-edge pedagogical approaches to IP education, teaching and research.
“This 20th edition marks a major milestone in the strong partnership with WTO to build human skills and knowledge on IP across the globe. It also underscores WIPO’s commitment to ensure that IP research and teaching evolves with the times and contributes to a shared understanding of the role IP plays as a powerful catalyst for innovation and economic growth and development.” – Hasan Kleib, WIPO Deputy Director General of the Regional and National Development Sector
What is the WIPO-WTO Colloquium?
The Colloquium brings together teachers and researchers of IP from least-developed countries, developing countries, and countries in transition to strengthen the ability of higher learning institutions to develop national expertise in IP and shape policy making in diverse IP fields.
The intensive two-week program is designed to upskill the knowledge of IP experts undertaking research, policy analysis and teaching in diverse fields of IP law and policy. Through immersive presentations and interactions, participants benefit from firsthand knowledge on topical IP issues under discussion at WIPO and WTO. Key speakers on the program included experts across industries such as Mr. Robbert Baruch, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Europe and Multilateral Relations at Universal Music Group, Ms. Mila Maistat, Senior Manager of Policy, Strategy and Market Access at Medicines Patent Pool, and Mr. Paolo Lanteri, Manager of Global IP Policy at Netflix.
The program specifically dedicated two days for participants to present their upcoming and ongoing research on critical topics, including:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)-related legal frameworks and policy trends,
- Biotechnological inventions,
- Technology transfer strategies,
- IP and antitrust law, and
- Traditional knowledge protection.
After each edition, participants are invited to take on in-depth research on an emerging IP topic and contribute academic research papers to the WIPO-WTO Colloquium Papers. The WIPO-WTO Colloquium Papers is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal that hosts cutting-edge IP research to assist IP policy makers worldwide.
What did the 20th edition of the Colloquium cover?
Through the WIPO-WTO Colloquium, participants got to explore key areas such as:
- The role of IP in fostering innovation and access in the pharmaceutical sector;
- The interface between IP policy and economic development;
- IP, genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore;
- AI and its interplay with IP; and
- Cutting-edge approaches to IP education, teaching and research.
Participants also had the chance to attend the Launch of the WIPO Technology Trends Report on the Future of Transportation, which was held at WIPO headquarters on February 6, 2025.
What our participants are saying?
"Thank you for giving me the chance to take part in the 20th WIPO-WTO Colloquium. The experience was priceless because it provided a rich forum for professionals from various backgrounds to discuss and share knowledge. I learned a great deal about the complexities of TRIPS and intellectual property throughout the colloquium, especially how they interact in the modern global economy. The talks and presentations created a cooperative atmosphere that promoted critical thinking and creative solutions to shared problems. My professional development has been greatly influenced by this experience, which has improved my comprehension of global frameworks and their real-world applications. I can't wait to put these lessons into practice at work and make a bigger impact on the field." – Ms. Soad Essam Abueldahab, Lecturer at the MPL Legal Academy, Egypt
"Participating in the 20th WIPO-WTO Colloquium was an exceptional experience that deepened my understanding of the evolving landscape of IP and its interconnection with global trade, technology, and economic development. The program's comprehensive approach provided a valuable opportunity to engage with leading experts, scholars, and policymakers from around the world. Discussions with distinguished professors and professionals inspired new directions for research and policy development. This interaction will make a significant contribution to the further development of the WIPO Joint LL.M. in IP and Business Law at Maqsut Narikbayev University in Kazakhstan, enriching its curriculum with global best practices and fostering international partnerships.” – Mr. Abay Abylaiuly, Director and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Maqsut Narikbayev University International Law Programme, Kazakhstan