Abidjan, June 3, 2026 – The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr. Daren Tang, arrived this Wednesday in Abidjan as part of an official visit to Côte d'Ivoire, marked in particular by his participation in the second Conference of Heads of National Intellectual Property Offices of OAPI Member States with WIPO (HIPOC).
Upon his arrival, Mr. Daren Tang was welcomed by several personalities, including the Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), Mr. Denis Bohoussou, the Director General of the Ivorian Intellectual Property Office (OIPI) as well as representatives of the Ivorian authorities. He begins a stay focused on strengthening international cooperation in intellectual property and innovation.
This visit reflects the importance that WIPO places on promoting intellectual property as a tool for economic development and structural transformation of African economies.
Upon his arrival, the Director General of WIPO expressed his satisfaction at visiting Côte d'Ivoire for the first time in his official capacity. He emphasized his desire to open "a new chapter" in the relationship between WIPO and Côte d'Ivoire in order to support innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs in their development projects.
"Intellectual property should not be seen solely as a matter for experts or lawyers, but as a powerful catalyst for employment, investment, growth, development and prosperity," said Mr. Daren Tang.
The visit of the Director General of WIPO coincides with the holding of HIPOC 2026, a strategic meeting which brings together in Abidjan the heads of the national intellectual property offices of the 17 member states of OAPI.
Placed under the theme "Intellectual Property and Youth Entrepreneurship: How to Build an Innovative and Inclusive Ecosystem", this second edition of HIPOC aims to strengthen dialogue between intellectual property actors, to promote the sharing of best practices and to promote public policies capable of supporting African youth in the valorization of their innovations.
Beyond the work of the Conference, this visit also illustrates the strength of the partnership between OAPI and WIPO. For several decades, the two institutions have worked together to develop effective intellectual property systems that support innovation, creativity, and the competitiveness of member states.
The HIPOC 2026 conference will be held on June 4 and 5 in Abidjan with the participation of officials from the Intellectual Property Offices of the OAPI member states, institutional partners and industry experts who will come together to reflect on how to make intellectual property a real engine of economic development and entrepreneurship for young Africans.
