Ministry of Economy and Tourism organizes “Reinforcing Intangibles to Strengthen the Economy” conference to stimulate investment in R&D and innovative projects

Session highlights national efforts and flagship initiatives launched by the UAE to advance its IP sector

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism organized a conference titled ‘From Idea to Impact Conference: Reinforcing Intangibles to Strengthen the Economy’ to highlight the pivotal role of intangible assets in sustainable economic growth and as a catalyst for transforming intellectual property (IP) into a strategic enabler of a diversified, knowledge-based economy. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to position the UAE as a leading global hub for innovation.

The event was held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, and in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Dubai Future Foundation. It brought together IP experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, and representatives from universities and research centers across the UAE, alongside several senior local and international officials. Among the prominent attendees were H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry of Economy & Tourism; H.E. Dr. Maria Hanif Alqassim, Assistant Undersecretary for Policies and Economic Studies Sector at the Ministry of Economy & Tourism; and H.E. Major General Dr. Abdul Quddus Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidli, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Excellence and Leadership Affairs at Dubai Police and Chairman of both the Arab Union for the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and the Emirates Intellectual Property Association.

H.E. Bin Touq affirmed that, under the guidance of the wise leadership, the UAE has adopted a forward-looking approach to building a robust and advanced legislative framework for IP protection. This commitment is reflected in the issuance of three laws on the protection of industrial property rights, trademarks, and copyright and neighboring rights. H.E. emphasized that innovation and IP are the two fundamental pillars driving the growth of the national economy and advancing the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for the new economy.

H.E. Bin Touq said: “Today’s event builds on these ongoing efforts, serving as a dynamic platform that maximizes the economic value of intangible assets in the UAE - particularly innovations and technical knowledge. It contributes to transforming them into investment assets that fuel the growth of green economy sectors across the country. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader goals of fostering innovation, advancing intangible assets, and achieving climate neutrality.”

The Minister of Economy and Tourism called on all innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, universities, and research centers to leverage the enablers provided by the UAE to forge local, regional, and global partnerships. Such alliances contribute to the launch of green projects with measurable environmental and economic impact, further reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for the green economy, innovation, and sustainability.

In this address, H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the national efforts and flagship initiatives launched by the UAE to advance the IP sector. Most notable among them are the new Intellectual Property system, which includes leading initiatives across various IP fields and activities; the roadmap for Green IP, aimed at driving innovation, accelerating the localization of technology, and establishing new projects in circular economy, environmental sustainability, and the new economy sectors; and the Geographical Indications (GI) System for national products, which provides advanced protection for Emirati products with distinctive geographical identities. These initiatives reflect the UAE’s commitment to establishing IP as a strategic tool to drive green transformation, support sustainable economic growth, and unlock wider opportunities for national industries in regional and global markets.

The UAE maintained its leading position in the Arab world in the Global Innovation Index 2025, issued by WIPO and the Portulans Institute. The country advanced to 30th place globally among 139 economies studied, showcasing the best performance since joining the index.

The conference featured a series of discussion sessions highlighting the role of intangible assets in driving economic development and stimulating investment in research and development (R&D). It further explored strategies to integrate IP into institutional plans, shape effective policies for its protection and promotion, and accelerate the development of the green IP economy through innovation in technology, clean energy, financing, and climate policies. Participants underscored the importance of international cooperation and knowledge exchange between the public and private sectors to support the creation of a knowledge-based, innovative and sustainable economy.

The conference also reviewed the latest global trends in supporting innovation and IP protection, with a focus on creating attractive business environments for investors and introducing initiatives that strengthen innovation sustainability and enhance the competitiveness of national economies. The sessions further highlighted the significance of integrating legislative frameworks into economic development plans to ensure the sustainability of natural resources and keep pace with environmental and technological transformations.

The conference served as a valuable platform for expertise and knowledge exchange on opportunities to enhance this significant economic value in the UAE’s business ecosystem. It contributed to strengthening a national work culture that is committed to elevating intangible assets, with a focus on pivotal sectors related to sustainability and green growth, including the circular economy, advanced technology, innovation, renewable energy, financing, and environmental and climate protection policies.

The event witnessed extensive international participation from leading global and regional entities in the IP field. Among the key participants were Hoda Barakat, President of AIPPI UAE Group and Co-chair of the Middle East Advisory Council at the International Trademark Association (INTA); Etienne Sanz de Acedo, CEO of the International Trademark Association; Malek Hannouf, Chairman of the Gulf Brand Protection Group; Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, President of International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property; and Pascal Faure, Director General of  France's National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).