68th Session of the WIPO Assemblies in Geneva
The 68th series of meetings of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) member state assemblies has kicked off in Geneva. During these negotiations, the Ukrainian delegation announced a $587 billion requirement for the country’s recovery—an increase of $60 billion compared to what was stated just one year ago. With the war in Ukraine ongoing, this figure underscores the escalating extent of destruction and the mounting challenges the nation faces.
Ukraine’s Key Demands
Beyond financial requests, Ukraine urged WIPO to take several critical actions, including closing Russia’s representative office in Moscow and revoking any privileges or honors previously granted to Russia. The delegation also called for preventing the expansion of Russian as a working language in international registration systems. According to Ukrainian officials, these steps are essential to uphold fairness and equality within the global intellectual property framework.
Among the achievements being discussed at the sessions are:
- finalization of the National Intellectual Property Strategy in collaboration with WIPO;
- active advancement of legislation on trade secrets, copyright, trademarks, and patents;
- the “Own Business” program;
- expansion of digital services in the intellectual property sector.
The list of damages continues to grow, but as Ukrainian representatives put it, the country’s capacity to rebuild is growing even faster. A packed day of negotiations and meetings lies ahead, and the Ukrainian position will be voiced at every single one.
The WIPO assembly in Geneva highlights the importance of international support for Ukraine amid the conflict and the urgent need for decisive action to restore the country. The rising financial demand reflects the massive destruction caused by the war, as well as the serious hurdles facing Ukrainian businesses and intellectual property. At the same time, Ukraine’s proactive stance on the global stage signals its efforts to adapt to new circumstances and boost its competitiveness in an international context.
As Ukraine navigates its substantial reconstruction needs, discussions around the upcoming budget requirements for 2026-2027 with key allies like the UK and Lithuania are becoming increasingly vital. These conversations are essential for securing the necessary international support and resources to facilitate Ukraine's recovery and development in the coming years.