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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has underlined Qatar’s dedication to refining its intellectual property policies through continued partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Qatar News Agency reported from the 68th assemblies in Geneva. Assistant Undersecretary Saleh Abdullah Al Mannai, who led the country’s delegation, detailed how these steps would boost creativity, enable artificial intelligence applications and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Al Mannai further commended the organization’s contribution to a fair global IP regime that addresses member states’ varied needs.
This engagement dovetails with the priorities of the Qatar National Vision 2030, according to the delegation head’s statement. The vision framework, as outlined by the General Secretariat for Development Planning, seeks to establish a competitive knowledge-based economy powered by innovation and advanced infrastructure. Such alignment supports increased investment in intellectual assets across key sectors.
World Intellectual Property Organization statistics show Qatar submitted 155 resident patent applications in 2023, part of an upward trend in domestic IP activity. The ministry is now formulating a comprehensive national intellectual property strategy with advisory input from WIPO, Al Mannai noted. This document will incorporate international benchmarks to strengthen Qatar’s institutional setup for IP protection and commercialization.
According to a WIPO country profile, resident trademark filings reached 1,566 in a recent year, signaling expanding interest in brand protection among Qatari entities. These figures illustrate the growing economic significance of intellectual property as the country diversifies beyond hydrocarbons. The delegation’s participation in the Geneva meeting provided a platform to share progress on these developments.
Bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the assemblies focused on expertise exchange and potential collaborative initiatives, the Qatar News Agency stated. Representatives from Qatar met with officials from several member states and international IP offices during the event. The conversations aimed to identify mutual benefits in areas ranging from enforcement to technology transfer.
A May 2026 analysis in The Peninsula newspaper described Qatar’s long-standing WIPO involvement as instrumental in shaping its approach to global intellectual property governance. The country has introduced updates to its IP laws to better accommodate digital innovations and international treaties. These reforms position Qatar as an emerging hub for knowledge-driven enterprises in the Gulf region.
