From 20 February to 30 March 2023, Lesotho will be hosting a team of experts from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The visit is said to be for the purposes of providing technical assistance and support in the formulation of the country’s National Intellectual Property Policy/Strategy and strengthening the legislative framework for the protection of intellectual property in the country.
WIPO has provided similar support to different developing and under developed countries in the formulation of their country-specific policies. According to WIPO, the policies comprise of “measures formulated and implemented by a government to improve its IP and innovation ecosystems in line with social, cultural and economic development goals…it links IP with the wide range of public policy areas to enhance coherence and coordination in government law and policy-making” ( National IP Strategies (wipo.int)). WIPO provides country specific support, guidance and advice based on the countries’, goals, priorities and needs.
It is reported that there will be consultations between the WIPO experts and various stakeholders in the country, including the government, regulatory bodies, business sector and academic institutions, with the aim of identifying the matters to be considered for and included in the policy, such as intellectual property administration, protection, enforcement and others.
