OPENING REMARKS : AEM-DG WIPO CONSULTATION
24 SEPTEMBER 2025 (WEDNESDAY)
0800 - 0900
BALLROOM, LEVEL 3
MITEC
OPENING REMARKS H.E. DR KAO KIM HOURN, SECRETARY GENERAL OF ASEAN
- His Excellency Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Chair of the ASEAN Economic Minister’s Meeting,
- His Excellency Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),
- Distinguished ASEAN Economic Ministers,
- Senior Economic Officials, and Colleagues.
It is my honour to welcome His Excellency Daren Tang to ASEAN - WIPO Consultation at the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting. This consultation, alongside with WIPO’s active engagements with ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat throughout the year, underscore our deepening partnership for the shared vision of leveraging intellectual property (IP) as a powerful enabler of ASEAN’s economic growth, dynamism, innovation, and integration.
Excellencies,
ASEAN has made remarkable progress in building a more innovative, competitive, and dynamic region, with IP at the heart of this agenda. The ASEAN IP Rights Action Plan 2016–2025 has guided our efforts to modernise IP systems, harmonise legislation, and advance IP commercialisation. Over the last decade, patent filings have risen by 70%, industrial design filings by 80%, and trademark applications by 110%. R&D investment surged fivefold to nearly USD 55 billion in 2023, driving high-tech exports to USD 598 billion. Today, ASEAN hosts over 50 unicorns, supported by USD 110 billion in venture capital, and six (06) AMS are ranked in the top 55 of the 2024 WIPO Global Innovation Index (GII), with three (03) AMS among the fastest movers globally. These achievements reaffirm that IP is powering ASEAN’s transformation into a high-value, innovation-driven economy.
Looking ahead, ASEAN is advancing the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030 as part of our journey toward a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred region by 2045. IP will be central to ignite new engines of growth, elevate businesses to global heights, and empower ASEAN’s talent to shape the region’s future. In this endeavour, WIPO stands as an indispensable partner.
Excellencies,
WIPO have long been supporting ASEAN to strengthen legislation, institutional capacity, and regional integration. This partnership was elevated by the ASEAN - WIPO MoU signed in 2023, with 40% of activities already delivered. A key highlight is the upgraded ASEAN IP Register, hosting nearly 8.3 million records and attracting 50,000 daily hits. Today’s launch of the ASEAN Geographical Indications (GI) Database marks another milestone, strengthening origin-based branding, supporting local producers, and showcasing ASEAN’s cultural richness. Complementary initiatives, including IP Management Clinics, IP valuation toolkits, and the ASEAN Technology Innovation Support Centres (TISCs) Network, are also helping expand SME financing, and accelerate innovation.
To carry this momentum forward, ASEAN and WIPO should work hand in hand in three (03) following transformative directions. First, harness ASEAN’s vast creative and intangible wealth to turn our ideas, culture and talent into engines of sustainable growth while preserving our identity. Second, unleash the power of ASEAN businesses by directly embedding IP and innovation into their competitiveness, enabling them to scale and succeed in global value chains. Third, nurture ASEAN talent by building a future-ready workforce equipped with the creativity, entrepreneurship and digital skills to thrive on global scale.
Excellencies,
In closing, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Director General Daren Tang and the WIPO team for their continued commitment to ASEAN. Together, we can unlock ASEAN potential to build a more innovative and sustainable future for all. I wish today’s consultation every success. I thank you, Excellencies!
REMARKS BY H.E TENGKU ZAFRUL TENGKU ABDUL AZIZ, MINISTER OF INVESTMENT, TRADE AND INDUSTRY OF MALAYSIA (AEM CHAIR)
Excellencies and members of the meeting,
On behalf of ASEAN, I am pleased to warmly welcome His Excellency Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and team to this engagement session with ASEAN Economic Ministers. Allow me also to acknowledge the valuable role played by the ASEAN Secretariat in facilitating today’s discussion.
Our collaboration with WIPO is driven by a shared vision: to harness the power of intellectual property as a catalyst for innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable economic growth. This is especially crucial as ASEAN continues to deepen regional economic integration and strengthens our capacity to compete in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy.
Since the signing of the ASEAN-WIPO Memorandum of Understanding, we have made significant progress. The initiatives launched have expanded opportunities for our businesses, entrepreneurs, and creative industries, while also advancing our collective goal of building an economy that thrives on intangible assets.
Today’s agenda focuses on building on this momentum. We will discuss the scaling of activities under the ASEAN-WIPO partnership, the development of the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2026–2030, and the launch of the Geographical Indication Database on the ASEAN IP Register. These initiatives will not only foster innovation ecosystems across the region but also strengthen ASEAN’s identity and global competitiveness.
I am confident that, through closer collaboration with WIPO, ASEAN can unlock even more potential for our innovators, creators, and enterprises, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), women, and youth. By doing so, we can ensure that the benefits of IP are inclusive and widely shared across our communities.
I look forward to a fruitful exchange of views, and to working closely with WIPO in realising ASEAN’s vision of an innovative, sustainable, and people-centred community.
Thank you.
--BERNAMA