Intellectual Property for an Emerging Africa - conference in Dakar in November

The conference will be preceded on 2 November by a workshop, grouping young African innovators and creators to talk about IP, innovation and creativity.

The conference aims to highlight the relevance of IP in promoting innovation and scientific and technological transformation of African economies. It will also show how IP can contribute to the realisation of the priorities identified in the Common African Position (CAP) on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and it will provide an arena for discussion on the role of IP for innovation and creativity in the continent.

The conference will also:

• Address governments' role in creating an enabling environment for the use of IP and innovation for development;

• Facilitate a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of the strategic use of the IP system as an engine for scientific and technological transformation, economic and social development and poverty reduction for Africa;
• Encourage governments to put in place IP policies and innovation strategies aimed at building the countries' capacity to apply science, technology and innovation for development;
• Give participants the tools and the means to keep abreast with the latest trends and business models in the digital environment;
• Explore ways to increase the participation of African countries in the digital economy by encouraging ratification/access to key international copyright treaties;

• Contribute to advancing the implementation of a framework and infrastructure, which enhances the business performance and competitiveness of creative industries to support economic, cultural and development objectives.

African heads of state, government ministers and top officials from the UN, AU and private sector groups will gather to chart a plan for boosting the uptake of intellectual property tools to help stimulate economic and social development across Africa.

"Africa has a great tradition of innovation and creativity...and innovation is a central driver of economic growth, development and better jobs," said WIPO Director General, Francis Gurry. "It is the key for firms to compete successfully in the global marketplace.

"Intellectual property is an indispensable mechanism for translating knowledge into commercial assets - IP rights create a secure environment for investment in innovation and provide a legal framework for trading in intellectual assets."

WIPO, the African Union (AU) the Government of the Republic of Senegal and the Government of Japan under the Japan Funds-in-Trust for Africa and Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) are jointly organising the conference.

For more information, visit www.wipo.int/meetings/en/2015/african_ministerial_conference.html