JAMAICA-Jamaica signs letter of intent with WIPO.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -Jamaica has signed a Letter of Intent with the United Nations (UN) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to establish a structured training and skills-building program on intellectual property (IP) for diplomats and government officials. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith and WIPO Director General Daren Tang signed the agreement […]
Black News 
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -Jamaica has signed a Letter of Intent with the United Nations (UN) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to establish a structured training and skills-building program on intellectual property (IP) for diplomats and government officials.
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith and WIPO Director General Daren Tang signed the agreement for the program, which the WIPO Academy will deliver through the Jamaican Foreign Service Institute over three years.
The objective is to improve the Institute’s capacity to deliver regular, effective training and skills-building programs on IP. It will be geared toward enhancing diplomats’ and government officials’ understanding of the basic concepts of IP, while promoting an understanding of the importance of IP for development and economic growth.
The program further aims to enhance understanding of the linkages between IP and key global challenges, and to familiarise diplomats and government officials with the main ongoing multilateral discussions on IP, ensuring they effectively represent Jamaica’s interests within the evolving international IP landscape.
Tang said that intellectual property is especially important in a culture like Jamaica’s, which is driven by creativity across many areas.
“Intellectual property supports your creators to bring their music to the world, and intellectual property supports your sports persons, associations, and athletes to protect their brand and image. For example, Usain Bolt has trademarked his signature (pose),” Tang said.
He said further that IP rights are important for start-ups and businesses that want to take their ideas to the world, and for universities and researchers to commercialize their ideas into actual products.
“So, I’m here to see how we can better support Jamaica… your vibrant people, economy, your inventors, your creators… to use intellectual property not just to protect but also to commercialize and monetize, so that Jamaican ideas, the Jamaican spirit and culture become protected and valued throughout the world,” Tang said.
He told the ceremony he is looking forward to concrete results, ideas, and initiatives that support Jamaican entrepreneurs, inventors, innovators, and creators, resulting from his working visit to the island.
Tang and a WIPO delegation will remain on the island until May 20, and the signing of the Letter of Intent with the Foreign Affairs Ministry will form part of a wider program of engagements during the official visit.
