Jamaica to Host UN WIPO Director General on Historic Visit in May 2026

Jamaica will host World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Daren Tang for an official visit from May 16 to 20, 2026. This marks the first visit by a WIPO Director General to the country since 2002, highlighting Jamaica's efforts to strengthen its intellectual property (IP) ecosystem and drive innovation-led economic growth. The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) will host Tang, who will engage with government officials, entrepreneurs, and IP stakeholders. Key outcomes include the signing of two letters of intent: one establishing cooperation between the WIPO Academy and the Jamaican Foreign Service Institute for diplomat training, and another supporting the creation of an Intellectual Property Training Institution in Jamaica. Minister Aubyn Hill emphasized that the visit underscores Jamaica's commitment to modernizing its IP framework and enhancing global competitiveness. The initiative aims to improve capacity in international IP negotiations and support local innovators. JIPO Executive Director Lilyclaire Bellamy noted significant transformations in Jamaica's IP landscape, including accession to major international treaties like the Madrid Protocol and the Patent Cooperation Treaty, positioning IP as a strategic driver for national prosperity.