AYV News, July 9, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Justice, Madam SaptieuElizabeth Saccoh, along with the Administrator and Registrar-General, Madam Martina Baindu Egbenda, is currently participating in the Sixty-Sixth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
WIPO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for promoting the protection of intellectual property (IP) worldwide through cooperation among states and international organizations. It plays a vital role in fostering creativity, innovation, and economic development.
During the plenary session that followed the opening ceremony, Madam Saccoh joined WIPO Director General, Daren Tang, along with representatives from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society.
The discussions focused on multi-stakeholder commitments to global intellectual property services, governing bodies, institutional issues, WIPO committees, normative frameworks, budget and oversight matters, and related treaties and assemblies.
In recent years, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Office of the Administrator and Registrar-General, has prioritized the establishment of a comprehensive intellectual property framework. This initiative aims to harness the creativity and innovation of the country’s youthful population, promote the growth of the creative industries, and attract both local and international investment.
As part of these efforts, Sierra Leone has reviewed and harmonised its IP-related laws and policies, and has drafted new legislation to protect copyrights, patents, industrial designs, and trademarks. These legislative proposals, currently before Parliament, mark a significant step toward modernizing the country’s IP regime and enhancing legal protections for innovators and creators.
Under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, the Government continues to emphasize the role of technological innovation in national development. This commitment has resulted in transformative reforms across various sectors, including education, tax administration, civil registration, vehicle licensing, and public health, with advancements such as improved online payment systems for services.
At both national and international levels, Sierra Leone remains committed to strengthening its partnership with WIPO to further integrate technology into public administration and foster a knowledge-based economy.
Madam Saccoh is accompanied at the assemblies by Dr. Lansana Gberie, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva. She is expected to deliver a statement reaffirming the government’s dedication to advancing intellectual property services and promoting robust IP legislation in Sierra Leone.
