India & WIPO Join Hands to Foster Innovation in the Global South

A high-level delegation from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including Sherif Saadallah, Executive Director of WIPO Academy, and Altaye Tedla, Head of WIPO Academy, visited NITI Aayog for a momentous occasion. The visit marked the signing of a Joint Letter of Intent (JLoI) between Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and WIPO, aimed at building innovation, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property (IP) programs for countries in the Global South.

The event was graced by Dharmendra Pradhan, Cabinet Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the Government of India. Other notable attendees included Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, and Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission.

A Step Towards Global Innovation

Minister Pradhan emphasized India's growing influence in the global innovation ecosystem.

"Innovation is India’s strength. This partnership between AIM and WIPO will take the best of India’s innovation models to countries on similar development trajectories. It will enhance understanding and awareness about IPR from the school level and unlock the innovation potential of the world," he stated.

WIPO’s Commitment to Youth and Innovation

Sherif Saadallah highlighted the crucial role of intellectual property in fostering innovation and creativity, especially among youth.

"Our partnership with Atal Innovation Mission demonstrates WIPO’s commitment to ensure youth's participation in innovation and creativity. This collaboration aims to build a more inclusive global IP ecosystem, fostering a more innovative and creative global economy," he said.

The partnership's roots trace back to last year when Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, visited the AIM ecosystem and recognized Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and Atal Incubation Centers (AIC) as exemplary models for innovation and entrepreneurship. His visit spurred further collaboration, leading to the current agreement.

Suman Bery expressed pride in WIPO's recognition of India's entrepreneurship development model.

"This deepens an already productive relationship between NITI Aayog and WIPO on national competitiveness," he said.

India’s Growing IP Landscape

WIPO's Global Innovation Index (GII) 2023 ranked India 40th out of 132 economies. According to the WIPO Report 2022, India has seen six consecutive years of growth in patent filings, with a notable 31.6% increase globally, primarily driven by resident filings.

Dr. V.K. Saraswat highlighted the potential of this partnership to position India as a global innovation leader.

"This partnership can be a game changer in fostering a culture of IP-led innovation, safeguarding the future of our nation's technological advancements," he remarked.

Holistic Innovation Ecosystems

Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director of AIM, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the AIM-WIPO partnership.

"The experience of the two sides coming together helps us make these models significantly more holistic as now Innovation & Entrepreneurship meets Intellectual Property (IP) in a serious way," he stated.

WIPO Delegation's 4-Day Long Visit to India

The WIPO delegation's visit to India includes participation in a workshop on Intellectual Property in Innovation at AIC GGSIPU, Dwarka, on July 23. They will also interact with school students from Atal Tinkering Labs and industry experts from FICCI, NASSCOM, PHDCCI, among others.

The signing of the JLoI between AIM and WIPO marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in innovation and intellectual property. This partnership promises to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth, benefiting countries in the Global South and beyond.