Integrating Innovation and Creativity into National Policies and Strategies: The International Perspectives By Getachew Mengistie, Intellectual property Consultant and Attorney Presented at National Intellectual (IP) Policy Workshop: Elaboration of a national IP policy and strategy for namibia in cooperation with organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with the Government of Namibia Windhoek, Namibia, September 15, 2015

Outline of Presentation Role of innovation and creativity in development National policy, legal and institutional framework International policy, legal and institutional framework Major challenges in integrating innovation and creativity into national development polices and ensuring meaningful contribution Conclusion

Role of innovation and creativity in development Key to development in today's knowledge economy  prosperity & sustainability of a country & its development is no longer based on natural resources but on intangible assets such as innovations and creative works  essential tool to enhance competitiveness and ensure market leadership

Role of innovation and creativity in development Significance of assets can be seen by looking at:  the change in indicators of wealth  share of intangibles in company’s assets and  the growth in international trade Need to provide enabling environment for innovation and creative activities-national & international

National Policy, legal and institutional framework Countries have policies, laws and institutions dealing with or related to innovation and creativity Development vision, National & sectoral policies  National development Vision  National and sectoral development policies, strategies and plans Development plan Industry Agriculture STI ICT Health Biotechnology & bio-safety

National Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework Environment and Biodiversity Education Culture IP policy etc. Laws include IP,TT, Competition and Enforcement Laws Institutions include various Ministries, IP offices, Investment Office, enforcement agencies Issues  To what extent do policies, laws and institutions integrate innovation and creativity to serve development goals?  Is there policy coherence and institutional coordination?

International Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework Innovations and creativity have international dimensions  Innovations and creative works easily cross borders  Policy and rule making at the international level  Link with national policies, laws and Institutions  Various international norms and institutions/ multiple forum for discussing policy issues  Number of actors providing for TA  Framework may be elaborated using IP as an example

International Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework International IP agreements and Institutions  Developed to deal with concerns related to innovation & creativity  IP conventions administered by WIPO, UPOV, WTO & UNESCO  CBD and FAO Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture  Regional intellectual property agreements ( ARIPO, EPO, OAPI etc.)  Regional trade arrangements ( COMESA, EAC, SADC, EPA etc.)  Bilateral investment agreements etc.

International Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework Institutions involved in innovation studies and technical assistance-WB,WIPO, UNCTAD, UNIDO etc.; Ongoing policy discussions and rule making- WIPO, WHO, WTO etc.; Existing agreements and ongoing endeavors will influence policy and rule making on innovation and creativity and its contribution to development

International Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework Issues:-  What is the experience of countries such as African countries in international rule making & influencing developments?  What was the impact of international policies and laws on the national policy framework & meeting development goals?  To what extent countries take advantage of flexibilities or policy spaces in crafting national policies and laws?  Is there a mechanism to avoid duplication and ensure donor coordination? etc.

Major Challenges in DCs and LDCs Policy formulation  Inadequate policy analysis, research and formulation capacity in tailoring policies based on concrete needs and specific situation/ evidence based policies  Inadequate involvement of all the stakeholders in the process of formulation  Lack of or inadequate capacity to ensure policy coherence

Major Challenges in DCs and LDCs Policy formulation  Inadequate participation and capacity in influencing international rule and policy decision making, following up new developments and exploiting flexibilities and opportunities etc.;  Most of the African countries have formulated or are in the process of formulating STIP & related polices  IP policy strategies developed or is being developed in a number of African countries since 2004  Extent of integration ??

Major Challenges Policy implementation  Non or inadequate implementation  Lack of or inadequate implementation plans  Absence of laws and regulations  Inadequate institutional capacity  Absence of or sustaining coordination mechanisms etc,

Major Challenges Policy promotion / popularization  Unknown or inadequately known  Absence of popularization mechanism, out reach strategy & program  lack of or inadequate awareness is major reason for loss of innovations and creative works as well as inadequate use of IP by innovators and creators in Africa

Major Challenges Monitoring and evaluating impact of policies  Lack of mechanism to monitor and evaluate impact of national policies, innovation and creativity  Inadequate review mechanisms- policies, laws and Institutions should not be static but dynamic  Inadequate capacity to monitor developments and assess impact of measures taken at the international level etc.,

Conclusion Innovation and creativity will support and be supported by development policies and strategies Need to integrate innovation and creativity into national development policies and strategies and ensure Innovation and IP policies are formulated taking into account the concerns and directions of development policies and strategies Need to understand & exploit International IP landscape & opportunities Build up policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and impact evaluation capacity Ensure that national innovation, creative & IP policies; & development policies that have impact on innovation and creativity are dynamic

Thank you very much for your attention!!