Geneva, Switzerland, May 1, 2023 - The 37th General Assembly of the International Federation of Inventors Associations (IFIA) took place on April 28, 2023, at the Congress Hall in Geneva, Switzerland. The event brought together representatives from over 70 member countries, with Alireza Rastegar re-elected as the President of IFIA for the term 2023-2027.
Distinguished attendees at the ceremony included Mr. Marco M. Alemán from WIPO, Mrs. Sophie Torelli Chironi from the United Nations Office at Geneva, and Mr. Claude Membrez, General Manager of Palexpo.
The assembly commenced with welcoming remarks from IFIA President, Mr. Alireza Rastegar, who presented the Federation's activity report for the last four years. IFIA's Treasurer then provided the financial report for the years 2018-2023, which was subsequently approved by the General Assembly.
Following Mr. Rastegar's re-election, Mr. Marco M. Alemán highlighted the key role of inventions and innovations in advancing sustainable development and the cooperation between IFIA and WIPO. He emphasized the long-standing mutual cooperation between IFIA and WIPO and mentioned one of the significant IP projects, the mandate of the IP for Innovators Department (IPID).
Mrs. Sophie Torelli Chironi addressed IFIA's collaboration in achieving the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its role in this regard. She emphasized that developing and implementing sustainable solutions by cooperating with International NGOs such as IFIA would increase mutual collaboration in the future.
During the meeting, the IPminter platform was introduced and officially launched. IPminter is an innovative tool designed to facilitate the management and protection of intellectual property rights, further promoting cooperation between inventors and stakeholders in the global innovation ecosystem. A key feature of the IPminter platform is its ability to convert IP into a digital asset, revolutionizing the way inventors manage and monetize their intellectual property.
Mr. Claude Membrez spoke about the cooperation between IFIA and Palexpo and their support for the Federation. He expressed his belief that the collaboration between Palexpo and IFIA could create new opportunities for inventors worldwide.
Amendments to the Federation's constitution regarding the establishment of a second headquarter office in California, United States, and the election of the First Deputy President were approved by the assembly.
Various IFIA departments presented their activity reports during the meeting. Mr. Rastegar proposed the establishment of a regional office of the Federation in Kuwait, which was approved by the General Assembly.
The General Assembly elected 25 countries as members of the Executive Committee for the two-year term of 2023-2025. Armenia applied for membership in the Federation, and the General Assembly voted in favor of its membership. Several countries, including Palestine, Japan, South Africa, and South Korea, presented their national activity reports.
To mark the 55th anniversary of the Federation's establishment, the presidency presented commemorative gifts to all attendees as a token of appreciation.
The successful conclusion of the 37th General Assembly of IFIA demonstrated the commitment of member countries and their representatives to furthering innovation and sustainable development on a global scale. The launch of the IPminter platform will play a significant role in fostering international cooperation, empowering inventors to protect and manage their intellectual property rights effectively, and transforming IP into a digital asset that can be more easily managed and monet
ized.
As the IPminter platform gains traction, it is expected to open new avenues for inventors and stakeholders to collaborate, exchange ideas, and leverage the potential of intellectual property as a digital asset. The platform will not only streamline the process of securing and managing intellectual property rights but also create opportunities for inventors to commercialize their innovations and attract investments.
For further information about the IFIA, the 37th General Assembly, and the IPminter platform, please visit the official website at [IFIA website URL].
About the International Federation of Inventors Associations (IFIA)
The International Federation of Inventors Associations (IFIA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting inventors and innovation worldwide. Established in 1968, IFIA brings together inventors associations from around the globe, fostering international cooperation and enabling inventors to protect and manage their intellectual property rights effectively.
Contact Information:
Masoud Tajbakhsh
email: [email protected]
Tel: +41 22 761 11 11
