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ASEAN pushes intellectual property for innovation and growth

Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reaffirmed commitment to harnessing intellectual property for innovation, competitiveness and growth with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn speaks at the event. (Photo: Bernama)
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn speaks at the event. (Photo: Bernama)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reaffirmed commitment to harnessing intellectual property for innovation, competitiveness and growth with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

The commitment was made at the ASEAN economic ministers–WIPO consultation in Kuala Lumpur on September 24, chaired by Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz with WIPO Director-Ggeneral Daren Tang. The event focused on strengthening cooperation and expanding initiatives under the partnership.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn highlighted the region's significant progress in IP development.

He noted that patent filings had surged by 70% over the past decade, industrial design filings by 80%, and trademark applications by 110%. Research and development (R&D) investments had quintupled, reaching nearly 55 billion USD in 2023, fuelling high-tech exports worth 598 billion USD.

The official said ASEAN now hosts over 50 unicorns supported by 110 billion USD in venture capital, with six ASEAN member states ranked in the top 55 of WIPO's Global Innovation Index 2024.

These achievements reaffirm that IP is powering ASEAN's transformation into a high-value, innovation-driven economy.

The meeting also saw the launch of the ASEAN Geographical Indications (GI) Database - a new platform designed to strengthen origin-based branding, support local producers, and showcase the region's cultural richness which complements ongoing initiatives such as IP management clinics, valuation toolkits and the ASEAN Technology Innovation Support Centres network. The project aims to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access financing and accelerate innovation.

Zafrul said the collaboration between ASEAN and WIPO is pivotal to fostering a more knowledge-driven economy, especially as the region prepares the Asean IP Rights Action Plan 2026–2030.

He emphasised ASEAN’s shared vision is to harness the power of intellectual property as a catalyst for innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth./.

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