ARISE+ IPR is organising a regional workshop on IPR enforcement for enforcement authorities of the ASEAN member states. The workshop aims to contribute to advancing enforcement initiatives under the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2016-2025, supporting the ASEAN Network of IPR Enforcement Experts (ANIEE) and promoting the fight against counterfeit goods in the region. The workshop participants include law enforcement officials, customs officials, prosecutors, and judges from all ASEAN member states and ANIEE focal points.

In the ASEAN region, many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are not fully aware of the benefits of intellectual property (IP) protection and the importance of protecting their IP rights nationally and regionally. Therefore, in 2022, ARISE+ IPR created an online guidebook on regional intellectual property management to raise awareness among these businesses and provide useful and practical information on IP protection, as well as other IP-related issues.

The ‘3rd ASEAN Trade Mark Convergence Network Meeting’ and the ‘3rd ASEAN Design Convergence Network Meeting’ will take place on 8-9 and 10-11 March 2022, respectively. The meetings aim to increase the convergence of practices among the ASEAN IP offices in the examination of trade marks and industrial designs. The enhanced convergence is expected to lead to improved trade mark and industrial design services in the region and more predictable decisions in examination results.

From May 2021 to March 2022, ARISE+ IPR will provide technical and administrative assistance to the ASEAN IP offices to support them in updating the ASEAN Common Guidelines on the Examination and Registration of Industrial Designs (‘the Guidelines’) and in establishing an updating mechanism to organise procedures and principles for the ASEAN IP offices to regularly revise and upgrade the Guidelines.

The objective of this activity is to promote the achievements of EUGIPP by highlighting the benefits it will bring to the Georgian IP system. The event aims to bring together IPR users, enforcement practitioners and national media to discuss the importance and value of IP, as well as the negative effects and risks related to counterfeiting and piracy.

The EU-Africa Business Forum 2022 (EABF22) took place from 14 to 18 February. This important event allowed public-private dialogue between the EU and Africa at continental level. It aimed to increase opportunities for sustainable economic cooperation.

This 7th edition brought together African and EU businesses and public leaders from a range of organisations. It included several presentations and discussions on how to improve the investment climate and increase sustainable economic cooperation opportunities.

On 17 and 18 February 2022, the National Conference on Creating Legal and Institutional Framework for Geographical Indications in Nigeria was held. It was hosted by the European Union, AfrIPI, the Nigerian Trade Mark Registry under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Africa International Trade & Commerce Research organisation. The event was hybrid and took place in Abuja, Nigeria.

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On 17 January, the EU-Georgia Intellectual Property Project’s steering committee approved its 2022 annual work plan.

The project’s third annual work plan is the result and continuation of the activities carried out in 2021. It takes into account additional consultations with relevant stakeholders. The 2022 activities are divided into three expected results.