UAE and Republic of Korea explore collaboration in advancing innovation and leveraging AI in the protection and management of IP rights

H.E. Bin Touq: IP is a key pillar of the UAE–Korea economic partnership, and we are committed to harnessing technology to safeguard innovation & advance the new economy

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, met in Dubai with H.E. Kim Yong-sun, Minister of Intellectual Property of the Republic of Korea. The meeting explored opportunities for collaboration in developing the intellectual property (IP) protection ecosystem, strengthening bilateral partnerships in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in IP management, and enhancing the financing and marketing of creators’ rights. The two sides also discussed supporting protection and enforcement mechanisms and continued cooperation in patent examination.

H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the UAE’s success in developing an integrated IP framework driven by innovation and digital transformation — key pillars of the country’s new economic model. He emphasized that UAE–Korea relations stand as a model for collaboration in knowledge- and innovation-led economic development, particularly as the IP sector remains a cornerstone of bilateral partnership. This, he noted, opens broader prospects for advancing cooperation to even higher levels in the coming phase.

H.E. said: “The two countries share a common vision on the importance of intellectual property, innovation, and modern technologies as key drivers of development. Elevating the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) to ministerial level reflects Korea’s strong commitment to IP as a national strategic priority, in alignment with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision to strengthen the enablers of the new economy. Today’s meeting provided an important platform to explore new partnership opportunities and exchange expertise in protecting innovation and creativity, as well as in developing mechanisms to leverage AI technologies and enhance the financing and marketing of intellectual property. These efforts will help boost the competitiveness of the business and innovation ecosystem and further reinforce both countries’ positions within the global knowledge-based economy.”

During the meeting, H.E. Bin Touq outlined the key components of the UAE’s IP ecosystem, highlighting its modern and integrated legislative framework, which includes laws governing trademarks, copyrights and neighbouring rights, as well as the regulation and protection of industrial property rights. Together, these laws provide comprehensive protection for creative ideas, individual and corporate innovations, and the intangible assets of the business sector. They are further supported by an active ecosystem of initiatives that has played a vital role in empowering creators and driving innovative projects.

The two sides discussed the means to enhance joint efforts in the technical and technological aspects of IP, including the exchange of expertise in leveraging AI in IP management and developing digital solutions to support patent examination and classification.

The meeting also discussed ways to expand collaboration in IP financing and marketing by exchanging expertise in the valuation of intangible assets and facilitating IP-based financing mechanisms to support entrepreneurs and startups. Additionally, the meeting explored opportunities to develop partnerships in the protection and enforcement of IP rights, enhance integration between regulatory and oversight efforts, and continue collaboration in patent examination and the exchange of related best practices.

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KIPO in 2023 to enhance knowledge and expertise exchange, develop examination and protection mechanisms, and strengthen collaboration in technical and legislative areas that support the development of the IP ecosystem in both countries.

The UAE’s IP sector achieved advanced results and key performance indicators as of the end of September 2025. The total number of registered trademarks reached 402,311, while copyrighted works amounted to 23,829. The number of patent filing applications reached 40,925, with the total number of registered patents reaching 7,915. Furthermore, the number of registered industrial models increased to 11,346. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism is developing AI-driven solutions to manage and protect IP rights, including the filing of patent, industrial design and trademark applications.