Cook Islands continues its active engagement with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), participating in the Diplomatic Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earlier this month to finalise the Design Law Treaty (DLT).

Running from November 11-22, this landmark event sought to simplify and streamline global systems for protecting industrial designs, enabling creators to secure rights for their work more efficiently, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) said.

This conference follows the Cook Islands’ involvement in earlier negotiations on the treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge in June 2024.

According to MFAI, as the Cook Islands continues its journey in advancing fair and accessible systems for intellectual property protection in country, “participating in the key stages of related treaties offers an excellent platform to raise our national interests, learn from other practices, and increase capacity”.

The Treaty aims to harmonise design registration processes across borders, reducing costs and complexities for designers, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For the Cook Islands, this treaty can guide the country in setting up a system that will empower local creatives, support innovation, and foster economic growth, says MFAI.

Sandrina Thondoo, director of Treaties, Multilaterals, and Oceans at MFAI, emphasised the importance of the Cook Islands’ participation in these negotiations.

“A Diplomatic Conference is the final stage in a treaty negotiation, and since we don’t always have the chance to participate in the prior negotiations and technical meetings, being at the DipCon gives our country the opportunity to delve into the treaty as it is being finalised in detail. It is in effect bringing the Cook Islands right into the world of multilaterism,” Thondoo, who attended the conference, said.

The Treaty builds on nearly two decades of negotiations within WIPO and aligns with the organisation’s mission to ensure intellectual property systems support creators worldwide. With Pacific Island countries playing an increasingly active role in these discussions, the Cook Islands delegation worked closely with regional and international partners to secure outcomes that benefit both the region and the global community.

“The Cook Islands Government would like to thank and congratulate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the gracious hosting of their first ever Diplomatic Conference. The successful conclusion of the Design Law Treaty was a reflection of the Kingdom’s commitment and vision to a world of innovation and design. Lastly, the Cook Islands Government would like to thank the World Intellectual Property Organization for enabling and supporting yet another successful display of multilaterism,” MFAI said.