WIPO Summit on Intellectual Property and the Knowledge Economy

 The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is pleased to announce that the Government of the People’s Republic of China will host the WIPO Summit on Intellectual Property and the Knowledge Economy in Beijing, from April 24 to 26, 2003. Heads of State will gather in the Great Hall of the People on the morning of April 24 for the opening ceremony of this historic event, in the company of high-level government officials; senior judges; leading CEOs; and top academics.
 
 They will be welcomed by the Chinese leadership and the Director General of WIPO to the start of three days of discussion, reflection and comment on the key role of the intellectual property system in stimulating creativity and innovation to foster economic growth and social well-being through wealth creation and business development.The Summit’s closing ceremony on April 26 will include the celebration of World Intellectual Property Day and will be accompanied by a gala concert featuring artists from around the globe.
 
 This site will be regularly updated with information on the Summit, its accompanying Forum for Industry and the Private Sector and their respective programs.The World Intellectual Property Organization and the Government of the People’s Republic of China look forward to welcoming you to Beijing in April 2003 to explore these far-reaching and important issues.
 
 Premise
 
 Today, a state does not have to be “lucky” - in terms of its possession of land, labor and capital - to succeed. Creativity and innovation are the new drivers of the world economy and national well-being increasingly depends on the strategy a country develops to harness its intellectual capital.
 
 An effective intellectual property system is the foundation of such a strategy. Within knowledge-based, innovation-driven economies, the intellectual property system is a dynamic tool for wealth creation - providing an incentive for enterprises and individuals to create and innovate; a fertile setting for the development of, and trade in, intellectual assets; and a stable environment for domestic and foreign investment.
 
 Content
 
 The Summit and the Forum will take place in both parallel and joint sessions. Themes for discussion at the Summit include:
 
 - Intellectual Property Challenges and Opportunities in the New Millennium;
 - The Contribution of Creativity to Human Progress;
 - Leveraging the Benefits of Invention in the Real and Virtual Worlds;
 - Intellectual Property as a Tool for Economic, Social and Cultural Development - Forging Partnerships to Boost Innovation and Wealth Creation.
 - Promoting Respect for Intellectual Property Rights.
 
 Among the topics for the Forum are:
 
 - The Role of Intellectual Property in the Knowledge Economy: Shaping the Future;
 - Publishing, Art and Entertainment: Sharing the Benefits of Creativity in the Real and Virtual Worlds;
 - Empowering Entrepreneurs: Intellectual Property as a Tool for Economic, Social and Cultural Development;
 - Respecting Creators and Inventors: Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
 - The Role of the Private Sector in the Creation of an Intellectual Property Culture: Challenges and Opportunities in the New Millennium.
 wipo.org