South South and Triangular Cooperation Partnerships for Access to Information and Knowledge Mokhtar G. Warida

Outline  The Context: Egypt’s Innovation Profile  The Policy: Egypt and SS / T Cooperation  The Initiatives: An Overview  Developing Human Resources  Crafting Legal Frameworks  Networking and Harnessing Efforts  Launching Collaborative Projects  The Outlook : Partnering for More  Key Recommendations for the Future

The Context: Egypt’s Innovation Profile

Progressive performance in “ K nowledge and T echnology O utputs” Indicator (GII Rank 80). Improved ranking in the Global Innovation Index (from 108 in 2013 to 99 in 2014)

Overview of IP Filing Activity Designs Marks Patents Source: World Intellectual Property Indicators 2014

The Policy: Egypt and South-South/ Triangular Cooperation

In General … and In the Area of IP and Development SSC is an international issue that requires enhanced cooperation by all countries, international and regional organizations. DC should give further priority to TC. NGOs, civil society and private sector can contribute to expanding the scope of SSC, especially in fields of knowledge exchange and transfer of technology. Supporting SSC institutions (e.g. NAM, AL, AU, NEPAD, COMESA). Establishing the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development (EAPD). Initiating and Formulating WIPO Development Agenda Project on South-South Cooperation for IP and Development. Hosting Second Inter- regional Meeting on South-South Cooperation on Patents, Trademarks, Geographical Indications, Industrial Designs and Enforcement.

The Initiatives: An Overview Of Egyptian SSC Partnerships for Access to Information and Knowledge

Developing Human Resources o ASRT Training Program for Member States of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Jordan on “legal and technical aspects related to the examination of patent applications” – Since o Brazil Fund-in-Trust for Training of IP examiners from South American and Arab Countries.

Crafting Legal Frameworks  Signing Memorandum of Understanding with China – March  Covers training, capacity building, exchanging mutual experiences in IP, access to information and knowledge, developing strategies and establishing a National IP Center.  Drafting copyright regulations for Yemen – 2013.

Networking and Harnessing Efforts  Summit of South American – Arab Countries – Since Agreed to exchange IP knowledge and information.  African Conference on Strategic Importance of IP policies to Foster Innovation, Value Creation and Competitiveness – Tanzania, March  Second Inter-Regional Forum for Heads of IP Offices in Arab Countries – Brazil, June 2013.

Launching Collaborative Projects I  “Open African Innovation Research and Training” Project launched in  Beneficiaries: Botswana, Cameron, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda.  Funded by Canada’s International Development Research Center and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.  Focus on empirical research across Africa, as well as training and capacity building for researchers, policy leaders through seminars, workshops and specific courses on IP and development.

Launching Collaborative Projects II ARABPAT Project launched in Beneficiaries: Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, with support of European Patent Office and WIPO. Seeks to facilitate the production, publication and exchange of patent information in Arabic, English and French among patent offices in Arab countries.

The Outlook : Partnering for More

Tech - AfroPreneur Award  An innovative partnership between EAPD and TIEC for sharing information and knowledge among African countries.  Objectives: Promote and incentivize access to information and knowledge in Africa. Recognize the value of African entrepreneurs’ ICT innovations. Provide role model examples to inspire African youth and young start-ups. Attract top investors to Africa by marketing the best innovations in African ICT sector.  Status: under formulation.

Egypt IP Academy Outreach Egypt – WIPO Project on Start-UP IP Academy. Training of Trainers and Formulating the Modules. Provide specialized and customized IP training courses for African human resources. Status: under formulation.

Key Recommendations : Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

 SSC and TC to be made integral part of national, regional and international IP and innovation strategies / policies.  Improve national, regional and international capacities to conduct evidence-based analysis and data gathering related to SSC and TC.  Strengthen evaluation of SSC programs and projects.

 Enhance more proactive engagement and support to SS provider countries by regional and multilateral institutions.  Mainstream SSC into national, regional and international systems and processes.  Vision for the future: WIPO as a catalyst for innovative and effective SS/T partnerships / initiatives in IP and Development at the global level which could involve various stakeholders to pool knowledge, expertise, financial and human resources.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together An African Proverb An African Proverb

Thank you