On September 24, The Fifty-Eighth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO launched. Our country is represented by a delegation led by Kamran Imanov, Chairman of the Board of the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the first day of event, report of WIPO Director General Dr. Francis Gurry was heard. Giving information on the organization's success in various areas over the past year after the last meeting of the WIPO General Assembly, F. Gurry noted that rapid technological advancement leads to increased demand for intellectual property rights and the development of WIPO's global intellectual property systems. The number of WIPO members joining the global intellectual property systems, particularly the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Madrid System for International Registration of Trademarks and the Hague System for International Registration of Industrial Designs, is increasing and this trend is continuing this year. F. Gurry noted positive results of the organization over the past year, calling on member states to work on new technologies, as well as to address a number of key issues on the agenda, including the issue of holding a diplomatic conference on industrial design contracts and broadcasting organizations.

Speaking at the opening session of the General Assembly, the Chairman of the Board of the Intellectual Property Agency Mr. Kamran Imanov, expressed his support to WIPO General Director for the highly effective activity promoting the development of the international intellectual property system, which contributes to innovation, creativity and sustainable development. He noted that the development of intellectual property in the Republic of Azerbaijan and expansion of international cooperation in this area are considered as priority areas and the Head of State supports all the measures taken in this field.

Referring to the recent major changes in the intellectual property system of Azerbaijan, Kamran Imanov informed the participants of the meeting that the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established by reorganization of the Copyright Agency and the Patent and Trademarks Center in the form of merger. As a result, a single structure was established with the Intellectual Property Agency and its subsidiary, the Center for Patent and Trademarks, the Center for Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights and the Republican Scientific and Technical Library. Structural changes have contributed to the development of intellectual property field in Azerbaijan and to the system's adaptation to international standards.

Then K. Imanov stressed that Azerbaijan is moving forward confidently in the way of innovative development. According to the 2017-2018 Report of World Economy Forum Azerbaijan is ranked 35^th on global competitiveness index, 37^th on Intellectual Property sub-index, 3^rd among developing countries on inclusive development index. According to his words, innovative way of development is impossible without development of IP system which encourages attracting investments and protects innovations. The issues facing the intellectual property system are determined by the country's innovation policy and serves economic reforms carried out in the country. Referring to the achievements of our country at the event, which was attended by more than a thousand representatives from different countries, Kamran Imanov emphasized that these reforms and achieved achievements in our country were possible thanks to the efforts of the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

Noting that F. Gurry is the author of the idea that "the international structure and form of intellectual property will be dictated and controlled by technology in the future," Kamran Imanov said he is convinced that the contemporary view of intellectual property is conformable to the effects of technologies. To this end, it is envisioned to be a radical transformation of universities in the direction of 3.0 (education + research + commercialization of knowledge), thus promoting the commercialization and transfer of technologies.

The growing economic role of small and medium-sized enterprizes promotes support of intellectual property policies and stimulation of technological innovation, as well as the development of technology transfer technologies and innovation support units at universities. Accordingly, the creation process of technology transfer centers and technology and innovation support centers has already begun. In addition, modern training centers have been established under Agency for educating policy in the field of intellectual property, and numerous brochures and booklets have been published and presented to prospective plaintiffs.

Touching the issue of expanding our country's participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Madrid Agreement on the International Registration of Trademarks, K.Imanov noted that for this purpose, the state assumes a part of necessary expenses, provides tax exemptions for promoting start-up and spin-out, also national brands. The creation of a national system for the management of digital rights on the principle of "one-stop-shop" in the field of copyright has been completed, and full digitalization of the Republican Scientific-Technical Library has been started.

Emphasizing that the fight against piracy and counterfeiting is at the center of attention of the Agency, Kamran Imanov emphasized that the level of piracy in various sectors fell to 10-30% after applying the system of control marks, and the share of the creative industry in GDP reached 5.1%. Changes taking place in the intellectual property system of Azerbaijan have been reflected in Concept of Development “Azerbaijan 2020: Look into the future”, also in strategic road maps on main sectors of national economy affirmed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Project on the intellectual property policy in universities and R&Ds, jointly implemented by Azerbaijan with WIPO, and, of course, the visit of WIPO Director General F. Gurry to Baku this summer has greatly supported the work done in the field of intellectual property in our country.

It should be noted that, taking into consideration that the WIPO General Assembly was held in Geneva, Kamran Imanov made his speech in French.

It should be added that today at the WIPO headquarters the cultural event has been opened jointly with the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN Office in Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, in order to promote the rich cultural heritage of our country and is continuing at the moment.

25.09.2018