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World Bank Lauds Egypt's Investment in Technology

Closing session at Egypt's International Cooperation Forum (ICF) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Closing session at Egypt's International Cooperation Forum (ICF) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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World Bank Lauds Egypt's Investment in Technology

Closing session at Egypt's International Cooperation Forum (ICF) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Closing session at Egypt's International Cooperation Forum (ICF) (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt would not have been able to confront the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic had it not undertaken many reforms, said a World Bank official.

The Regional Director for Human Development in the Middle East and North Africa, Keiko Miwa, said that Egypt succeeded in overcoming the crisis and transforming challenges into opportunities because of its investment in technology.

Miwa's remarks came during the closing session of Egypt's International Cooperation Forum (ICF) 2021 in its first edition, which focused on Egypt's role in development through the "Decent Life" initiative and other projects.

Speaking at the event, VP for Human Development at the World Bank Mamta Murthi asserted that Egypt had done outstanding work.

Murthi indicated that projects like "Decent Life" confirm that human development is the first investment that encompasses all fields, adding that human investment is an investment in the growth of countries.

According to the official, the recent reforms enabled Egypt to address the repercussions of the pandemic.

She explained that supporting education was essential for students to continue their studies after the pandemic, which is considered the second generation of reforms to enhance human capital.

Meanwhile, Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hala al-Saeed, said that Egypt is looking forward to a comprehensive partnership with the United Nations to support efforts to address climate change and achieve sustainable development.

Saeed met with UN's Special Adviser and Assistant Sec-Gen for Climate Action Selwin Hart in preparation for the 27th session of the Conference of Parties UN Climate Change conference 2022.

The minister explained that Egypt is among the countries most affected by climate change, despite its low greenhouse gas emissions.

She noted that the devastating impact of climate change is everywhere and poses significant risks to livelihoods, public health, supply chains, infrastructure, agriculture, and food security.

Saeed warned that this could put more pressure on the economy.

The minister noted that Cairo has completed the development of its national strategy for climate change based on the Supreme Committee of the National Council for Climate Change. It also established its national hydrogen strategy to encourage the use of blue and green hydrogen as a zero-emissions energy source.

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Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has made history by uniting the 193 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to adopt the Riyadh Treaty on Design Law. This landmark achievement, realized after two decades of deliberation, underscores the Kingdom’s leadership in enhancing the global intellectual property system.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty, a rare event for WIPO, which has not held a diplomatic conference outside Geneva for more than a decade. It was also the first such event hosted in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, representing the final stage of negotiations to establish an agreement aimed at simplifying and standardizing design protection procedures across member states.

Over the past two weeks, intensive discussions and negotiations among member states culminated in the adoption of the Riyadh Treaty, which commits signatory nations to a unified set of requirements for registering designs, ensuring consistent and streamlined procedures worldwide. The agreement is expected to have a significant positive impact on designers, enabling them to protect their creations more effectively and uniformly across international markets.

At a press conference held on Friday to mark the event’s conclusion, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem highlighted the economic potential of the new protocol.

Responding to a question from Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Suwailem noted the substantial contributions of young Saudi men and women in creative design. He explained that the agreement will enable their designs to be formally protected, allowing them to enter markets as valuable, tradable assets.

He also emphasized the symbolic importance of naming the convention the Riyadh Treaty, stating that it reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing influence as a bridge between cultures and a global center for innovative initiatives.

The treaty lays critical legal foundations to support designers and drive innovation worldwide, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision of promoting international collaboration in the creative industries and underscoring its leadership in building a sustainable future for innovators.

The agreement also advances global efforts to enhance creativity, protect intellectual property, and stimulate innovation on a broader scale.

This achievement further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for groundbreaking initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing creativity, safeguarding designers’ rights, and driving the development of creative industries on an international scale.

The Riyadh Diplomatic Conference, held from November 11 to 22, was hosted by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and attracted high-ranking officials and decision-makers from WIPO member states.