Georgia has become the coordinator of the Central European and Baltic States (CEBS) Group at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), assuming the role for a one-year term. 

The CEBS Group comprises 19 countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, North Macedonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Turkey. 

As the group’s coordinator, Georgia will participate in preparatory meetings of WIPO committees and will be responsible for coordinating positions among member states and presenting and defending the group’s agreed positions at various WIPO platforms, including meetings of assemblies, committees and working groups.

The coordinator also takes part in thematic negotiations and, on behalf of the group, participates in drafting legal instruments. It may nominate representatives of any group member, including Georgia, for the positions of chairs and vice-chairs of WIPO committees.

In addition, the coordinator can initiate projects aimed at improving the intellectual property ecosystem in CEBS member states.

During its one-year term, Georgia’s representative will deliver statements at WIPO on behalf of the group. According to the information provided, this role is expected to strengthen Georgia’s integration into the organization, facilitate communication, create opportunities to propose new initiatives and projects, and contribute to expanding bilateral cooperation.

WIPO is a United Nations agency responsible for shaping global intellectual property policy and promoting the development of an effective and balanced international intellectual property system, as well as innovation and creativity.

Established in 1967, WIPO currently has 194 member states. Georgia has been a member of the organization since 1991.