Ministry of Economy and Tourism signs joint Statement of Intent with eight entities to strengthen UAE’s IP ecosystem

Signing takes place during The Third Intellectual Property Forum attended by the Minister of Economy and Tourism
 

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism organized The Third Intellectual Property Forum at the Umm Suqeim Majlis in Dubai to strengthen engagement and partnership with key stakeholders in the intellectual property (IP) ecosystem across the UAE. The event aimed to explore new pathways for enhancing the innovation and creativity landscape, driving the growth and competitiveness of the national economy, and advancing the Ministry’s efforts to foster an environment that nurtures creativity and innovation - ensuring the sustainable development of knowledge-based sectors and creative industries.

The event, which was held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, and H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, brought together experts and specialists in the field of intellectual property, along with representatives from government, private, and academic institutions. It was also attended by organizations and entities involved in the protection and management of IP rights across various fields and creative sectors.

Joint Statement of Intent to strengthen institutional collaboration in the field of IP

The forum witnessed the signing of a joint Statement of Intent between the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and eight entities operating in the sphere of intellectual property protection across the UAE. These include the Brand Owners Protection Group (BPG), the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, the Emirates Reprographic Rights Association, the Emirates Inventors Association, the Emirates Science Club, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI UAE), the UAE Esports Federation, and the Emirates Association for the Gifted.

The agreement aims to enrich the UAE’s IP ecosystem through diverse and sustainable partnerships that enhance institutional and community collaboration in IP awareness and protection, while broadening cooperation to foster innovation and creativity across the nation.

H.E. Bin Touq stated: “Guided by the vision of its wise leadership, the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for innovation and the new economy by advancing progressive legislation and initiatives that protect intellectual property rights and empower creators and inventors to transform their ideas into successful, innovative projects that contribute to the growth of the national economy.”

H.E. Bin Touq commended the valuable contributions of the participating entities in advancing the UAE’s IP ecosystem through their efforts to promote awareness on creators’ and innovators’ rights and implement initiatives and programs that strengthen the culture of innovation and the protection of intellectual assets.

He further emphasized that effective collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, and academia is essential for establishing a comprehensive framework for intellectual property development. Such cooperation enhances the UAE’s ability to attract high-value investments, support entrepreneurs and innovators, and build a sustainable knowledge-based economy driven by creativity and technology.

H.E. highlighted that the forum underscores the effectiveness of the Ministry’s strategy, which is grounded in dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders across various economic sectors in the UAE, particularly the intellectual property sector - a key driver of the innovation and knowledge-based economy. He added that the joint Statement of Intent, signed between the Ministry and several specialized intellectual property organizations, will strengthen partnership frameworks and expand the scope of cooperation among government entities, the private sector, and academic institutions.

In details, the forum featured a panel discussion moderated by Huda Barakat, President of the Intellectual Property Protection Association in the UAE, Board Member of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, and Board Member of the International Trademark Association (INTA). In addition to showcasing cutting-edge experiences and global best practices in the field, the session examined opportunities for developing the UAE's intellectual property ecosystem and bolstering the nation's standing on the global innovation map by encouraging cooperation among the public, private, and academic sectors.

During the forum, H.E. Bin Touq outlined the national visions and strategies aimed at strengthening the intellectual property sector and supporting innovation and creativity initiatives - efforts that contribute to consolidating the country’s position as a global hub for the knowledge-based economy and reinforcing the role of IP as a key driver of sustainable economic growth. The UAE upheld its foremost position in the Arab world in the Global Innovation Index 2025, issued by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), marketing its best result since its inclusion in the index, by advancing to the 30^th Place globally among 139 economies included in the ranking.

He explained that the Ministry has adopted a comprehensive approach to developing the sector, which includes updating relevant laws and regulations, implementing advanced digital tools to accelerate examination and registration processes, and building strong partnerships with international organizations and leading global IP offices - including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) - to facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen institutional integration in protection and enforcement.

H.E. Bin Touq highlighted that current efforts are focused on expanding the utilization of intellectual property rights across key economic sectors by integrating AI applications into patent requests’ examination and encouraging academic, research, and startup institutions to invest in registering patents and creative works, thereby supporting the UAE’s transition toward a more diversified and sustainable economy.

The Minister of Economy and Tourism further emphasized that the Ministry is implementing targeted programs to support the creative industries and enhance the collective management system for the rights of authors and professionals in the music sector. These initiatives aim to ensure transparency in revenue management, stimulate investment in national creative content, and increase the contribution of these sectors to the country’s GDP in line with the goals of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.

The participants affirmed that organizing such forums strengthens partnerships between government entities and community institutions while fostering a culture of intellectual property rights protection among individuals and businesses, thereby supporting the development of a knowledge- and creativity-driven national economy.