South Sudan considers ARIPO accession
Important Topics
ARIPO – SOUTH SUDAN ENGAGEMENT ON IP FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) hosted a high‑level delegation from South Sudan at its Headquarters from 13–14 April 2026, marking a further deepening of engagement following ARIPO’s high‑level visit to South Sudan in June 2025. Discussions centred on the strategic role of intellectual property (IP) in national development and South Sudan’s potential accession to ARIPO.
ARIPO Director General, Bemanya Twebaze, highlighted the critical role of intellectual property in unlocking South Sudan’s economic potential, noting that accession to ARIPO would represent a deliberate step towards participation in the regional and global knowledge economy. The delegation reaffirmed South Sudan’s commitment to building a knowledge‑based economy supported by robust IP systems.
The visit highlights increasing regional collaboration to drive innovation‑led development, with ARIPO’s harmonisation efforts reinforcing the importance of collective action in building an inclusive African knowledge economy.
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