Geneva, July 9, 2025 - On the sidelines of the 66th series of annual meetings of member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (OMPI), the OAPI marked a significant day for international cooperation. The Director General Denis Bohoussou has chained high -level bilateral meetings with several key partners.
Reinforced collaboration with China
The day started with a meeting with Commissioner Shen Shangyu, at the head of the delegation of China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed in favor of enhanced cooperation around the development of skills and the valorization of traditional medicine. The two parties praised the growth of Chinese marks and patent requests in the OAPI space while issuing the wish to see this dynamic continue.
The European Union, a strategic partner
The Managing Director then exchanged with Joao Negrao, Executive Director of the European Union for Intellectual Property (EUIPO). The discussions highlighted the results of the intellectual property law project in Africa (Afripi), funded by the European Union (EU).
Among the notable advances in this partnership are:
- The recording of new geographic indications (IG) and support for the registration of IGs in the EU
- The integration of the OAPI into the databases TMVIEW and DESIGNVIEW to facilitate research to users
- The prospect of a second phase of the Afripi project
Inta: concrete support for SMEs and training
Cooperation with the International Trademark Association (Inta), represented by Etienne Sanz de Acedo was also welcomed. The common work plan has allowed:
- Technical seminars on the classification of brands
- OAPI's participation in the 147 th annual Inta meeting in San Diego
- Support for SMEs via the Pro Bono program
Inta will also participate in the 5th edition of the OAPI brand Awards, scheduled for Libreville next October as well as an exchange on the sidelines of the OAPI board of directors, on the impact of the PI in economic and entrepreneurial development. A perspective of collaboration on its case of the recently posted jurisprudential database online , was also envisaged.
The Oeab and the OAPI: an Eurasian - African dynamic
At the end of the day the meeting ball ended with Grigory Ivliev, president of the Eurasian Patents Organization (Oeab). The two institutions welcomed the implementation of their common work plan in particular, the training of patent examiners. Having mentioned mutual participation in the strategic activities of each of them, the OAPI and the OEAB mentioned the organization of events on the valuation of industrial drawings and models (DMI) in certain countries.
A day rich in promising commitments and perspectives
These meetings illustrate the will of the OAPI to anchor itself in an ambitious dynamic of international cooperation in the service of innovation, competitiveness and economic development of its member states. The general assemblies of the OMPI which started on Tuesday 8, will be held until July 17th.
