The 72^nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held in Da Nang from April 22 - 26 by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Viet Nam.

The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) held in Da Nang on Monday morning

Accordingly, ASEAN’s action plan on IP during the 2016-2025 period, and a number of cooperation activities in the field within the ASEAN member states and its partners are high on the agenda.

Other events held on the sidelines of the meeting include the 15^th meeting of the IP Subcommittee of the ASEAN - Australia - New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, a ceremony to welcome the World IP Day 2024 (April 26), and the launch of the "Green Creative Central Students" contest in Hue City, Thua Thien Hue province.

According to IPO Director Luu Hoang Long, in recent years, ASEAN has promoted IP cooperation among member countries, as well as expanded cooperation with its partners. He also expressed his hope that ASEAN will become a creative region holding competitive edge in the world.

He added that the AWGIPC has well performed its roles in building, coordinating, and carrying out ASEAN’s action plans on IP to concretise the bloc’s set IP targets stated in the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint.

He voiced his belief that ASEAN will continue effectively implementing its action plan for the 2026-2025 period and build a post-2025 one.

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong speaking at the AWGIPC 72 event on the morning of April 22. Photo: VIET AN

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong said that the municipal government was very interested in IP development.

Therefore, many mechanisms and policies in support of the IP development have been issued in the city. Included are the Intellectual Property Development Programme until 2030, and policies on supporting registration for protection and development of IP in Da Nang until 2030.

Since 2022, the city has supported nearly 100 businesses to innovate, perfect technology, and develop products. Also, many organisations, individuals, and businesses have been supported to register and establish IP rights. The city has given a helping hand to support the registration of protection, management and development of industrial property rights for 37 community brands in the form of collective and certification marks.

He informed that the city is currently building the geographical indication "Nam O" for Nam O fish sauce products with a total cost of VND3.6 billion.

According to data from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Viet Nam, as of December 31, 2023, Da Nang had 4,202 trademarks, inventions, utility solutions and industrial designs granted, ranking 6^th in the country.

Reporting by VIET AN - Translating by M.DUNG