From 17 to 21 October 2022, four examiners from the African Organization of Intellectual Property (OAPI) attended a five-day study visit at the European Patent Office (EPO). The course, organised by EPO in cooperation with AfrIPI, was part of an extensive competency-based training programme which began in August 2021 and was customised especially for the OAPI. The programme itself included a blend of onsite and virtual classroom training, online courses, and on-the-job coaching.

On 7-9 March 2023, the CarIPI project hosted a webinar as part of the Mentorship Programme: potential GI value chains. The focus was on the marketing component and it addressed packaging and branding, marketing and distribution.

This session built on past activities under the mentorship programme. These activities focused on providing technical assistance to nine producer groups from eight participating CARIFORUM countries in the key areas of developing specifications, producer group organisation and developing control systems.

The first EU-Niger Business Forum was held in Niamey, Niger, from 7-8 February 2023 at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre.

The EU-Niger Business Forum aims to enhance quality investments, make Niger more appealing to private investors and fortify ties between the EU and Niger. The Forum was the most significant business gathering in Niger’s economic history. It was held in honour of the financiers, bankers, and government representatives who support Niger's economic growth and development.

From 20-21 March 2023, the EU Georgia Intellectual Property Project will organise the second of a series of tailored courses designed for the Sakpatenti Intellectual Property Training Centre of Georgia. This session will focus on relative grounds.

During the 2-day event, experts from the European Union Intellectual Property Office will review a selection of important topics related to relative grounds examination, such as likelihood of confusion and marks with reputation.

On 29-31 March 2023, the EU Georgia Intellectual Property Project will organise another training session of a series of tailored courses designed for the Sakpatenti Intellectual Property Training Centre of Georgia. This session will cover the topic of designs.

During the 3-day event, experts from the European Union Intellectual Property Office will review a selection of important topics related to design examination, such as the Locarno Classification, scope of protection and grounds for invalidity.

From 15-17 March 2023, the EU Georgia Intellectual Property Project will organise the first of a series of courses designed for the Sakpatenti Intellectual Property Training Centre of Georgia. This session  will focus on the topic of absolute grounds.

During the 3-day event, experts from the European Union Intellectual Property Office will review a selection of important topics related to absolute grounds examination, such as distinctiveness descriptiveness, generic terms, public order and morality.

On 22 - 24 March 2023, Sakpatenti staff will travel to Spain to participate in two activities under the current EU-Georgia Intellectual Property Project (EUGIPP) Annual Work Plan.

From 22 - 23 March, the Georgian delegation will visit the Spanish Patent and Trade Mark Office (OEPM) where they will have the opportunity to discuss local practices in the field of IP pre-diagnostic services for SMEs. Selected Sakpatenti staff will be able to learn about local procedures and to gain valuable knowledge to set up similar services in Georgia.

A roundtable on the role of geographical indications (GIs) in sustainable development was organised on 7 February 2023 by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM). The topic ‘what lessons can be learned to improve the contribution of projects to sustainable development?’ was addressed.

During the months of March and April 2023, EUGIPP will support the Sakpatenti Intellectual Property Training Center of Georgia (SIPTCG) in developing a series of training courses for Georgian examiners and legal officers.

A tailored training programme will allow Sakpatenti’s staff to gather and discuss EUIPO practice on trade mark and design examination proceedings, as well as on decision drafting.

On 22 February 2023, the National Intellectual Property Center – Sakpatenti and the EUGIPP will hold a closing event with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia where teachers and students will present the results of the ‘Creativity and IP in Georgian schools’ project and receive recognition for the work done.