Geneva (Switzerland), bilateral meetings of July 8 and 9, 2026 – the delegation of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), led by its Director General, Denis Bohoussou, is pursuing intense diplomatic activity marked by several high-level bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening international cooperation and promoting innovation and the development of intellectual property within its member states.
Day Two – First strategic meeting with the WTO
The OAPI delegation was received at the headquarters of theWorld Trade Organization (WTO) by its Director-General,Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Discussions focused on prospects for cooperation between the two organizations to support OAPI member states in utilizing the flexibilities provided by theTRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights), particularly in the areas of access to medicines and technology transfer. Given the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry in Africa, especially in vaccine manufacturing, the aim is to assist countries in assessing and implementing appropriate regulatory frameworks.
At the end of this meeting, the two institutions agreed to operationalize their collaboration through a joint work plan, designed to structure the actions to be implemented and to ensure effective monitoring of the commitments made.
A significant step forward that opens new possibilities for innovation, public health and economic development in the OAPI area.
The OAPI delegation then joined that of theInternational Trademark Association (INTA), led by its President and CEO, Etienne Sanz de Acedo. This working session renewed the dynamic collaboration between the two institutions, dedicated to promoting the protection of trademark rights for goods and services, for the benefit of economic operators and the competitiveness of African businesses in the global market.
Day three – strengthened partnerships with other major players in intellectual property
The Director General of OAPI and his delegation continued their discussions with several strategic partners in the global intellectual property ecosystem.
The day's series of meetings began with a delegation from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), headed by Commissioner Shen Shangyu. The two officials reviewed recent developments within their respective administrations and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their excellent cooperation.
In the same vein, the OAPI delegation met with that of theInternational Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO), led by its Director General, Anita Huss Ekerhult. The discussions resulted in the signing of the 2026-2027 Work Plan, marking a new stage in cooperation between the two institutions to contribute to the development of intellectual property, specifically on issues related to the collective management of copyright and related rights.
The day's agenda also included a productive working session with the delegation from theAfrican Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), led by its Director General, Bemanya Twebaze. This session explored new opportunities for collaboration between the two African sub-regional organizations and aimed to enhance their synergies for the effective harmonization of procedures within their respective systems and the development of intellectual property across the African continent.
Through these various meetings throughout the Assemblies, OAPI confirms its continued commitment to consolidating its strategic alliances, forging new opportunities for cooperation and mobilizing high-impact partnerships for the benefit of its 17 Member States.
