UNDERESECRETARY MANALO TURNS OVER

CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE WIPO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

8 October 2007—Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo, the first Asian to be elected as Chairman of the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization, has ended his term after serving at its helm for two years. In simple ceremonies during the body’s 43^rd session in Geneva, Switzerland, Undersecretary Manalo turned over the Chairmanship of the General Assembly to  Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in Geneva.

In his farewell remarks, Undersecretary Manalo expressed his gratitude to all WIPO member states for their cooperation in finding solutions to current international intellectual property debates. He also thanked WIPO Director General Kamil Idris and his senior management team for their support and advice.

Director General Kamil Idris, in his opening remarks, thanked Undersecretary Manalo for his service to the Organization and further praised his dedication and commitment in undertaking his role as Chairman of the WIPO General Assembly since 2005. The incoming Chairman, Ambassador Uhomoibhi of Nigeria, also paid tribute to Undersecretary Manalo’s tireless efforts in promoting dialogue and consensus on many important negotiations and processes in WIPO.

WIPO member states also thanked Undersecretary Manalo for his positive contribution to the Organization. Several Regional Groups led by the Asian Group cited the important role that Undersecretary Manalo played in advancing negotiations in key WIPO issues such as the development agenda and the substantive patent law treaty.

The General Assembly, composed of 184 member states, is the WIPO’s highest decision-making body. This year’s meeting is expected to take important decisions on the following outstanding issues: (1) Diplomatic Conference on Broadcasting Treaty, (2) Provisional Committee on Development Agenda for WIPO (PCDA), (3) The Work Program of the Standing Committee on Patents (SCP) (4) 2008-2009 biennial budget of the WIPO, and (5) Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC).

The WIPO is the United Nation’s specialized agency responsible for the promotion and protection of intellectual property throughout the world. END

/Allan