The Business and Intellectual Property Authority’s (BIPA) Chief Executive Officer, Vivienne Katjiuongua and the Intellectual Property Services Executive, Ainna Kaundu, have been appointed to two of the top decision-making committees of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) during the 64th Assemblies of WIPO Member States that took place between 6 – 14 July 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Katjiuongua, a seasoned legal, trade and IP specialist has been appointed as chairperson to the WIPO Coordination Committee and is the first Namibian to hold this position since Namibia’s membership to the organisation. Established in terms of Article 8 of the WIPO Convention, the Coordination Committee is the executive coordinating organ and is mandated to provide advice on matters that are common to two or more of the unions administered by WIPO, including nominating a candidate for appointment to the position of Director General. Katjiuongua’s appointment is for a period of 12 months.
“Namibia is fast becoming a viable contributor to global dialogue in the areas of intellectual property, innovation and creativity. I am humbled by this appointment and I will ensure that Namibia’s position to enhance innovation, trade and investment is prominently represented.” noted Katjiuongua during the official opening of the Assemblies.
Ainna Kaundu, a veteran IP Executive scooped Namibia’s second appointment of Deputy Chairperson of the WIPO Conference for a period of 2 years. The WIPO Conference is another strategic committee that adopts amendments to the WIPO Convention, including the establishment of the biennial programme of legal-technical assistance.
Kaundu noted that “As I embrace the role of Deputy Chairperson of the WIPO Conference, I am committed to fostering collaboration, promoting innovation and protecting intellectual property rights on a global scale.”
WIPO has supported Namibia’s IP development agenda in various key strategic areas such as the implementation of the Integrated Intellectual Property Administration System (IPAS), the development of Namibia’s National IP Policy and Strategy launched in 2019 and various other capacity development initiatives which includes the recent launch project on Women and IP.
Namibia has been a member of the World Intellectual Property Organisation since 23 December 1990. Established in 1963, WIPO is the global United Nations forum for intellectual property services with 193 member states.
The WIPO Director General, Daren Tang is said to undertake an official visit to Namibia in November this year, to engage in consultations with high-level policymakers, IP administration, and agencies in order to explore opportunities to enhance cooperation between WIPO and the Republic of Namibia.