Global intellectual property agency’s Singaporean head Daren Tang aiming for second term

Singaporean Daren Tang, 53, who led the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo) to the conclusion of a historic multilateral treaty that helps to protect traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, is aiming for a second six-year term in office.

The director-general of the global intellectual property (IP) and patents office was nominated by the Singapore Government for another term that will run from October 2026 to September 2032, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Law said in a joint statement on July 24.

Under his leadership, the organisation was able to conclude two multilateral treaties for the first time in more than a decade, an “unprecedented achievement”, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in his nomination letter to the Wipo Coordination Committee.

The Wipo Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, adopted in 2024, makes it mandatory for patent applicants to disclose the origin country of genetic resources, such as from medicinal plants, as well as the indigenous communities that provided the traditional knowledge an invention drew on. 

It was hailed as ground-breaking in linking IP and traditional knowledge, which has typically been hard to protect, and has been viewed as a step forward in combating biopiracy, the commercial exploitation of biological resources without compensating communities and countries where the resources are from.

The other treaty, the Riyadh Design Law Treaty, also adopted in 2024, simplifies the procedures for protecting industrial designs, so designers can better protect their work at home or abroad. 

Dr Balakrishnan said the treaties have helped to strengthen multilateralism at a time of geopolitical fragmentation.

“Under his leadership, Wipo has demonstrated that multilateralism can continue to drive real change,” said Dr Balakrishnan, noting that Mr Tang will be a “steadfast, dependable, and principled leader who serves the interests of all member states”. 

He added: “Singapore looks forward to the support of Wipo member states for Mr Tang’s re-election as director-general.”

The Geneva-based Wipo is responsible for shaping global rules for IP and oversees trademarks, designs and patents.

When he assumed the role of director-general in 2020, Mr Tang became the first Singaporean to head a United Nations agency.

Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong said Wipo has made significant strides in strengthening the global IP ecosystem, promoting innovation and creativity, and enhancing inclusivity across member states under Mr Tang’s leadership.

In the past five years, the organisation has gone beyond its legal and technical focus to position IP as a catalyst for economic growth, helping many developing member states modernise their national IP strategies, said the ministries in the statement.

Wipo has also gone beyond supporting national IP strategies and has extended its help, such as through tailored projects and the Wipo Academy, to a wider spectrum of organisations including micro, small and medium enterprises, women and youth, added the ministries.

The ministries also said that Mr Tang has ensured Wipo is run efficiently and effectively, maintaining its strong financial standing, adding that Wipo member states have “warmly welcomed Mr Tang’s transformational work”.

Mr Tong said Mr Tang had demonstrated “thoughtful, principled and forward-looking leadership in steering Wipo through a time of rapid technological change and growing global uncertainties”.

“His ability to bring people together, build consensus and foster collaboration has earned the respect and confidence of stakeholders around the world,” added Mr Tong.

Mr Tang, the former chief executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, began his first six-year term at the helm of Wipo on Oct 1, 2020.

He was selected by the agency’s 83-member coordination committee from a slate that originally comprised 10 candidates. 

Mr Tang had taken over from Mr Francis Gurry from Australia, who held the post from 2008 to 2020. Before Mr Gurry, Mr Kamil Idris from Sudan held the post from 1997 to 2008.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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