The State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) participated in the Regional Workshop on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and Contemporary Policy Issues for Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Caucasus Members and Observers. The event took place in Vienna, Austria, from 12 to 15 November 2024 and was organized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in partnership with the Joint Vienna Institute.
The main goal was to stimulate coordination and cooperation between officials involved in these public policies, with the objective of improving their capacities to analyze complex policies, address multidisciplinary issues and effectively coordinate the promoted measures.
The event brought together government officials in the fields of trade, intellectual property, public health and technology transfer from 11 countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
AGEPI representatives, Natalia Mogol, Deputy Director General, and Ana Hamic, Senior Specialist, International Relations and European Integration Division, actively participated in the discussions on the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement and its impact on public health, biotechnologies and the protection of intellectual property rights. The Deputy Director General of AGEPI gave a presentation on “Harmonization of National Legislation in the Field of Intellectual Property with the Relevant Legislation of the European Union”, during which she addressed the importance of aligning the legislation of the Republic of Moldova with European regulations in order to ensure effective protection of intellectual property rights and to support the integration of our country into the European Union. This presentation addressed the subject of harmonisation, the challenges encountered and the essential steps to align national legislation with European standards, underlining the positive impact that this process has on the development of the local economy.
The workshop was structured around key themes, including challenges and lessons learned from technology transfer in various sectors, including the diffusion of climate change and adaptation technologies. Topics related to biodiversity protection and regulations on access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge were also addressed, and the importance of geographical indications and trademarks in promoting traditional products and protecting cultural heritage. Participants also explored ways to create synergies between public policies and intellectual property rights regulations to support economic development and innovation.
The event combined presentations by international experts, interactive discussions and case studies, providing participants with the opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other. A significant moment of the workshop was the visit to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), where participants had the opportunity to learn about UNIDO Solutions Platform for problems in various areas and its contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. UNIDO representatives emphasized that the Republic of Moldova benefits from the projects implemented by the organization, a clear example of the international support provided to the country in the field of sustainable development.
The workshop represented an important opportunity to deepen the understanding of the TRIPS Agreement and was a valuable framework for strengthening regional cooperation in the field of intellectual property, thus contributing to supporting an efficient and balanced system of protection of intellectual property rights.
