The 68th session of the General Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which opened on July 7, concluded yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland, with the participation of General Counsel Dr. Adel Shams-Eddin and General Counsel Huda Salih.Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Hassan Hamid, delivered Sudan’s statement during the opening session, highlighting the country’s commitment to strengthening and protecting intellectual property in recognition of its role in economic development.He commended the ongoing cooperation between Sudan and WIPO in developing a comprehensive national intellectual property strategy and registering Sudanese products with established reputation and quality to protect them under the geographical indications system.The Ambassador said Sudan’s valuable assets had been looted and its intellectual property system severely damaged by the proxy war waged by an outlawed rebel militia with military and political backing from its regional sponsor. He said the conflict had forced the migration of skilled professionals and qualified personnel, hampering innovation and creativity, and called on WIPO to play an active role in supporting reconstruction and recovery efforts to help restore and revitalize Sudan’s intellectual property system.The Sudanese delegation also met with several WIPO officials to discuss continued technical assistance for rehabilitating registration systems, preserving data, and strengthening the capacity of Sudanese intellectual property personnel. WIPO officials reaffirmed the organization’s readiness to provide technical support and capacity-building assistance.BH/BH