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World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.

WIPO was established by the WIPO Convention in 1967 with a mandate from its Member States to promote the protection of IP throughout the world through cooperation among states and in collaboration with other international organizations. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.

Strategic Direction and Activities

WIPO’s vision is that IP is an important tool for the economic, social and cultural development of all countries. This shapes its mission to promote the effective use and protection of IP worldwide. Strategic goals are set out in a four-year Medium-Term Plan and refined in a biennial Program and Budget document.

Providing a forum for debate

WIPO meetings regularly bring together stakeholders from governments, rights-holders groups and civil society in order to facilitate constructive debate on current challenges. WIPO also commissions and publishes studies on emerging issues.