Saudi Arabia, Indonesia join hands to develop intellectual property ecosystem

Min Usihen and Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Swailem sign a cooperation agreement on July 11, 2024. (Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights)

• Saudi, Indonesia officials attending 65th general assembly in Switzerland
• Nations to exchange expertise, share intellectual property best practices

JAKARTA: Indonesia is seeking to work with Saudi Arabia to develop its intellectual property ecosystem, the government has said, as the two countries signed a cooperation agreement on the sidelines of the World Intellectual Property Organization meeting in Geneva.

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Intellectual Property, a department under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property signed a memorandum of understanding during a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.

The parties were represented by their respective heads, Indonesia’s Min Usihen and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Swailem, who are in Switzerland for WIPO’s 65th general assembly until July 17.

“We are hoping that this framework of cooperation will create synergy and will benefit the management and development of intellectual property in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia,” Usihen said in a statement.

“Both parties agreed to exchange feedback on challenges concerning the development of IP systems, and the creation and utilization of IP networks.”

Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia will share strategies and best practices to further the development of their IP ecosystem. This includes exchanging experience on the use of the latest technology in the field, such as artificial intelligence.

The pact also covers information management and the training and development of human resources, regulations and policies related to intellectual property. And efforts to promote and raise awareness on the importance of IP rights in their respective countries.

“With the signing of this MoU, we are hoping that cooperation between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in intellectual property will be closer, so that it may bring significant benefits for the two countries in developing and protecting their intellectual properties,” Indonesia’s IP directorate said in a statement.

“This cooperation also shows the two countries’ commitment to continue innovating and adapting with the latest in tech and regulations at the international level.”