Saudi Arabia to Sign 15 International Treaties, Deals to Strengthen Intellectual Property

Saudi Arabia called for the need to include the Arabic language in the Madrid and Hague systems (SPA)
Saudi Arabia called for the need to include the Arabic language in the Madrid and Hague systems (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Sign 15 International Treaties, Deals to Strengthen Intellectual Property

Saudi Arabia called for the need to include the Arabic language in the Madrid and Hague systems (SPA)
Saudi Arabia called for the need to include the Arabic language in the Madrid and Hague systems (SPA)

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property is preparing to engage in 15 international treaties and agreements that will strengthen the intellectual property in Saudi Arabia, enable the system of protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, and enhance cooperation with international partners.

Hesham Alarifi, Executive Director of Partnerships and International Cooperation at the Authority, revealed an endeavor to join 15 international agreements by the end of 2023, within of the framework of the 64th General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which kicked off on Thursday in Geneva.

Alarifi said that the global forum will have a direct and positive impact on the progress of the intellectual property sector led by the Saudi Authority.

He added that the Kingdom has joined the WIPO in 1982, stressing that the relationship between the two sides has witnessed a strategic development in many businesses and projects.

Saudi Arabia has already signed 13 different agreements, and is looking forward to joining about 15 international conventions and treaties, with the aim to achieve a positive impact on the intellectual property sector in the country, the Saudi official stated.

On Tuesday, the Authority is organizing the Saudi Day event, on the sidelines of the WIPO meetings, to shed light on Saudi culture, history and civilization.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has called for the necessity to include Arabic in the languages of the Madrid System for trademark registration and management and the internationally approved Hague System for registering industrial designs.

Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Al-Suwailem, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, stressed the importance of adopting the Arabic language within the languages of the Madrid and Hague systems, noting that the Kingdom has paid great attention to protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights.

Addressing the WIPO General Assembly, Al-Suwailem presented Saudi Arabia’s strategy to build a system that promotes an economy based on innovation and creativity, and the modernization of intellectual property legislation.



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.