Caribbean: Second Phase Of Cooperation On Intellectual Property Rights And Innovation Launched
By CARICOM Photos: CARICOM|YouTube Screenshots Representatives of CARIFORUM States and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) met in Belize, 17-19 March, for the launch of the second phase of an initiative to strengthen regional collaboration on innovation and intellectual property rights. Phase II of the EU‑funded CARIFORUM Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation (CarIPI II) Project was launched at the start of the three‑day regional event, co‑hosted by the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO). The activity brought together a wide cross‑section of partners, including the EUIPO, European Commission, EU Delegation to Barbados, CARICOM Secretariat, CARIFORUM, national IP Offices, and national coordinators of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Following a review of the project’s achievements from April 2025 to March 2026, delegates endorsed the second Annual Work Plan which outlined the activities and technical support to be rolled out over the next 12 months. The plan builds on the successes of the first CarIPI project (2019-2024), which helped modernise and harmonise IP systems across CARIFORUM States. The three-day event also focused on the transformative potential of Geographical Indications (GIs) and the launch of the CarIPI II Mentorship Programme. Regional GI successes including Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan and Saint Lucia Rum were also celebrated. The discussions explored how origin‑linked products such as cocoa and rum can strengthen rural economies, support sustainable tourism, preserve biodiversity, as well as help communities protect traditional knowledge, differentiate their products, and access premium global markets. The event concluded with a study visit to BELIPO, giving participants a first‑hand look at IP administration in Belize and the digital tools supporting modern IP management. CarIPI Phase II is implemented by the EUIPO and focuses on modernizing IP frameworks, supporting creators and businesses, and positioning CARIFORUM States to compete in an increasingly innovation‑driven global economy. Phase II commenced operations in April 2025 with an implementation period of 48 months.
Black News 
By CARICOM
Photos: CARICOM|YouTube Screenshots
Representatives of CARIFORUM States and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) met in Belize, 17-19 March, for the launch of the second phase of an initiative to strengthen regional collaboration on innovation and intellectual property rights.
Phase II of the EU‑funded CARIFORUM Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation (CarIPI II) Project was launched at the start of the three‑day regional event, co‑hosted by the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO). The activity brought together a wide cross‑section of partners, including the EUIPO, European Commission, EU Delegation to Barbados, CARICOM Secretariat, CARIFORUM, national IP Offices, and national coordinators of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Following a review of the project’s achievements from April 2025 to March 2026, delegates endorsed the second Annual Work Plan which outlined the activities and technical support to be rolled out over the next 12 months. The plan builds on the successes of the first CarIPI project (2019-2024), which helped modernise and harmonise IP systems across CARIFORUM States.
The three-day event also focused on the transformative potential of Geographical Indications (GIs) and the launch of the CarIPI II Mentorship Programme. Regional GI successes including Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan and Saint Lucia Rum were also celebrated. The discussions explored how origin‑linked products such as cocoa and rum can strengthen rural economies, support sustainable tourism, preserve biodiversity, as well as help communities protect traditional knowledge, differentiate their products, and access premium global markets.
The event concluded with a study visit to BELIPO, giving participants a first‑hand look at IP administration in Belize and the digital tools supporting modern IP management.
CarIPI Phase II is implemented by the EUIPO and focuses on modernizing IP frameworks, supporting creators and businesses, and positioning CARIFORUM States to compete in an increasingly innovation‑driven global economy. Phase II commenced operations in April 2025 with an implementation period of 48 months.
