Title of the activity
WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Teachers of Intellectual Property Law and Policy
Activity Type
Thematic course/Workshop
Description
The 2025 Colloquium marks the 20th edition of the event, jointly organized by the WTO and WIPO for Intellectual Property (IP) teachers and researchers from WTO Members and Observers benefiting from WTO technical assistance programmes. Designed as a multidisciplinary event, the Colloquium welcomes economists and other university faculty working in the field of IP law and policy.
The Colloquium aims to equip developing and least developed Members and Observers with the capacity to analyze and implement IP policies, particularly within the framework of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Participants receive updates on key activities of both WIPO and WTO, focusing on critical policy issues under discussion in various fora. The training activity also encourages engagement with independent research and analysis by leading scholars in the field.
The WIPO-WTO Colloquium promotes the exchange of practical knowledge on national and regional experiences between participants and the WIPO and WTO Secretariats and other Geneva-based experts. It also facilitates direct engagement with leading international scholars through tailored sessions on research methodology and policy development.
To ensure ongoing collaboration, the Colloquium fosters the creation and strengthening of networks between participants, trainers, and experts, promoting sustained dialogue and cooperation on IP teaching and research. These networks are designed to support continued engagement with scholars both within and beyond participants’ regions.
The Colloquium aims to equip developing and least developed Members and Observers with the capacity to analyze and implement IP policies, particularly within the framework of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Participants receive updates on key activities of both WIPO and WTO, focusing on critical policy issues under discussion in various fora. The training activity also encourages engagement with independent research and analysis by leading scholars in the field.
The WIPO-WTO Colloquium promotes the exchange of practical knowledge on national and regional experiences between participants and the WIPO and WTO Secretariats and other Geneva-based experts. It also facilitates direct engagement with leading international scholars through tailored sessions on research methodology and policy development.
To ensure ongoing collaboration, the Colloquium fosters the creation and strengthening of networks between participants, trainers, and experts, promoting sustained dialogue and cooperation on IP teaching and research. These networks are designed to support continued engagement with scholars both within and beyond participants’ regions.
Venue
Switzerland
City
WTO and WIPO
Trade topic
Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
Start Date
End Date
Duration (days)
10
Activity Level
selection process
Applications will be received directly by WIPO Academy via the Academy Portal. The weblink for the applications will be shared by the WTO website as part of a news item announcing the launch of applications by both WIPO and WTO.
Following which, the selection will be made jointly be a selection committee which will consist of representatives of the WIPO Academy and WTO-IPD. The Selection Committee will take into consideration candidates' qualifications including research and publication, the two organizations' TA priorities, and the need for regional and gender balance. Selected applicants will be directly notified by the organizers.
Following which, the selection will be made jointly be a selection committee which will consist of representatives of the WIPO Academy and WTO-IPD. The Selection Committee will take into consideration candidates' qualifications including research and publication, the two organizations' TA priorities, and the need for regional and gender balance. Selected applicants will be directly notified by the organizers.
Pre-requisite
Applications are open to candidates with advanced knowledge of intellectual property (IP), specifically university teachers, researchers, lawyers, and economists from developing and least developed Members and Observers. To qualify, candidates must:
• Hold ongoing roles in policy analysis or provide advice related to WIPO or WTO discussions.
• Have a demonstrated track record in IP research and publication.
• Possess an advanced university degree and at least five years of teaching experience in IP or a related field, with a specialization in IP, such as international law or economics.
• Not have participated in the last five editions of the WIPO-WTO Colloquium.
• Have an excellent command of the English language.
• Submit a one-page summary as part of their online application, outlining a presentation they plan to give at the Colloquium on a relevant topic area or policy issue that is currently under debate in their respective country or region.
• Hold ongoing roles in policy analysis or provide advice related to WIPO or WTO discussions.
• Have a demonstrated track record in IP research and publication.
• Possess an advanced university degree and at least five years of teaching experience in IP or a related field, with a specialization in IP, such as international law or economics.
• Not have participated in the last five editions of the WIPO-WTO Colloquium.
• Have an excellent command of the English language.
• Submit a one-page summary as part of their online application, outlining a presentation they plan to give at the Colloquium on a relevant topic area or policy issue that is currently under debate in their respective country or region.
Target Audience
Academics
Language
English
Key Result
3. Academic institutions and other stakeholders are analysing WTO issues and reaching out to policy makers
Invited Members and Observers:
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain, Kingdom of
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Côte dʼIvoire
Curaçao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong, China
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait, the State of
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao Peopleʼs Democratic Republic
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao, China
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova, Republic of
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Chinese Taipei
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Viet Nam
Zambia
Zimbabwe