From March 17 to 20, 2025, the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) took part in an important international meeting aimed at strengthening the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications.
The sixth session of the Working Group on the Legal Development of the Lisbon System was held at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland. This strategic meeting brought together delegations from the contracting parties to further develop the international legal framework protecting designations of origin and geographical indications.
Significant progress for the Lisbon system
The work resulted in several draft resolutions that will be submitted to the General Assembly of the Contracting Parties. These proposals aim to optimize the Lisbon System through:
• The adoption of specific rules for the operation of the Working Group, aligned with the WIPO General Rules of Procedure
• Substantial amendments to the common implementing regulations of the Lisbon Agreement and the Geneva Act
• The creation of a Working Group Office operating on a transitional basis
Digital training and modernization
In addition to the plenary sessions, the program included:
• An in-depth training session on recent developments in the system, intended for representatives of the contracting parties
• A round table discussion dedicated to the new digital platform “eLisbon”, developed to optimize the management of the international register of appellations of origin and geographical indications
OAPI Representation
The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) was represented by Mr. Michel Gonomy, Head of the Geographical Indications, Industrial Designs and Other Distinctive Signs Department at the Trademarks and Other Distinctive Signs Directorate (DMSD). This participation is in line with OAPI's ongoing commitment to the Lisbon System, as the organization has been a member of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement since December 15, 2022.
About the Lisbon system
The Lisbon System offers international protection to designations of origin and geographical indications through a single registration with WIPO. This mechanism helps preserve the authenticity of products whose quality is essentially linked to their geographical origin, thereby supporting local economic development and the preservation of traditional know-how.
