WIPO General Assembly: More than meetings
Representing one’s country on the world stage is both an honor and a responsibility. It demands preparation, perseverance, humility and teamwork.
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Representing one’s country on the world stage is both an honor and a responsibility. It demands preparation, perseverance, humility and teamwork.
As the 68th World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly concluded on 15 July in Geneva, with Permanent Representative Carlos “King” Sorreta as President, I found myself smiling as memories of my own WIPO General Assembly experience came rushing back. I wish his presidency had happened during my time as DG of IPOPHL.
To many, the General Assembly is simply an annual gathering of intellectual property offices from 194 member countries. Delegates make country statements, discuss policy directions, approve budgets, and adopt resolutions. Important as these are, they tell only half the story.
The other half happens outside the conference halls.
For me, the WIPO General Assembly was never just about attending meetings. It was about carrying the Philippine flag, opening doors for our country, and building relationships that would benefit Filipino innovators, creators, entrepreneurs and businesses long after we had returned home.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 General Assemblies were not held.
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When delegates finally gathered physically again in Geneva in 2022, it felt like a reunion of friends and partners who shared one mission — to use intellectual property as a tool for economic and social development.
It was also my first face-to-face WIPO General Assembly as director general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
From the very beginning, our team composed of a lean delegation of four composed of former Bureau of Patents director Atty. Lolibeth Medrano, Bureau of Trademarks Director Atty. Jesus Antonio Ros, former head of Policy Research, International Affairs Division, Atty. Kat Rivera, and myself, agreed on one thing — we did not travel halfway around the world just to occupy our seats during the plenary sessions. We came to engage, to learn, and to create opportunities for the Philippines.
Looking back, I sometimes wonder how we survived those two weeks.
If memory serves me right, we attended at least 50 meetings on top of the official General Assembly sessions. We met with the WIPO director general, deputy directors general, assistant directors general, and directors. We also had bilateral meetings with heads of intellectual property offices from every region of the world, leaders of international organizations, and even an IP official of the World Trade Organization.
Our calendars had almost no blank spaces.
Breakfast meetings flowed into plenary sessions. Plenary sessions were followed by bilateral meetings. Working lunches became venues for discussing cooperation projects. Afternoons were filled with more meetings, and evenings were occupied by receptions, dinners, and networking events.
By the time we returned to the hotel each night, we were physically exhausted but mentally energized. Even one Saturday was not spared when the WIPO DG scheduled a breakfast meeting with the heads of IP ASEAN offices.
Former IPOPHL Director and now Philippine Competition Commission Commissioner Beth Medrano perfectly summed up our experience with her trademark humor.
“This is the most “pamatay” (killing) schedule in the GA. Pati (even) dinner and lunch walang patawad (were unforgiving)! Buti malalakas katawan at mga paa natin (It’s good our bodies and legs are still strong). Praise God for a productive and successful WIPO GA and related meetings.”
There were days when our feet hurt from walking across the sprawling WIPO office and nearby meeting venues. There were moments when we barely had enough time to catch our breath before rushing to the next appointment. Yet not one member of our delegation complained.
Everyone understood why we were there.
Those meetings were never about collecting photographs or exchanging business cards. Every conversation had a purpose. Every handshake represented a possible partnership. Every bilateral meeting was another chance to bring new programs, technical assistance, training opportunities, and international cooperation to the Philippines.
Many of the initiatives that IPOPHL later pursued — and many of the friendships we developed with our counterparts around the world — began during those conversations in Geneva.
As I watched this year’s General Assembly from afar, I realized that what I miss most is not Geneva itself. It is the privilege of serving alongside an extraordinary team that shared the same passion and commitment. We celebrated every successful meeting, encouraged one another through the long days, and never lost sight of why we were there.
Representing one’s country on the world stage is both an honor and a responsibility. It demands preparation, perseverance, humility and teamwork. I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to have done so.
The meetings eventually end. The schedules are forgotten. Even the aching feet recover.
But the friendships, the partnerships, the lessons learned, and the pride of having represented the Philippines with dedication stay with you for a lifetime.
