[Photo/WIPO]

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) invites all Member States and stakeholders to join in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, 2023.  The campaign theme is "Women and IP:  Accelerating Innovation and Creativity".

World Intellectual Property Day has become a truly global event with celebrations taking place in every region of the world.  While levels of intellectual property (IP) awareness are arguably higher than ever before, there are still many sectors of society, including among women, where there is an enduring need to build awareness and understanding about the critical role that IP plays in driving innovation and creativity, business growth and sustainable development. World Intellectual Property Day is an important vehicle for reaching these audiences and for showcasing the opportunities and benefits that can flow from effective use of IP rights in today's fast-paced and digitally driven world.

Women make up nearly half of the global population (49.58%).  While women in all regions are shaping the world through their imagination and ingenuity, they face many challenges and their innovative and creative potential remains largely underutilized.

Despite modest progress, women remain seriously under-represented in terms of their use of IP rights.  As a result, too few women are benefitting from the IP system.  At a time when building economic resilience for recovery is a top priority, connecting women with the IP system to accelerate innovation, creativity and business growth, is more important than ever.  It makes economic sense and it is the right thing to do.

For World Intellectual Property Day 2023, let's pull together to promote the development of more inclusive and diverse ecosystems that accelerate innovation, creativity and business growth for the benefit of all.