Pakistan Prepares to Join the Lisbon Agreement for Global Geographical Indication Protection
Published on: December 1, 2023.
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Pakistan: Pakistan Takes Steps to Join the Lisbon Agreement for Global Geographical Indication Protection
In an effort to protect its valuable geographical indications (GIs) on a global scale, Pakistan is actively working towards becoming a member of the Lisbon Agreement. The country held an Inter-Ministerial Meeting at the headquarters of the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) on August 11, 2023, to gather input from various federal and provincial departments on the matter.
During the meeting, Ms. Shazia Adnan, the Director General of IPO-Pakistan, highlighted the significance of Pakistan’s Geographical Indication System and the need for Pakistan to consider membership in the Lisbon Agreement. She particularly emphasized the importance of securing international registration for Pakistan’s GIs, with special emphasis on Basmati Rice. Ms. Adnan provided a comprehensive presentation on the Lisbon Agreement, explaining how Pakistan can streamline its resources and benefit from a single set of applications and fees for the international registration of its GIs.
By joining the Lisbon Agreement, Pakistan will be able to protect its GIs in more than 80 countries by submitting a single application to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This simplified process will greatly enhance the business environment for Pakistani products, including Basmati Rice, Pink Salt, Hunza Apricot, Chaunsa Mango, Sindhi Ajrak, Ziarat Cherry, Peshawari Chapal, Kinnow citrus, and more. Pakistani products will be able to establish themselves as recognized national brands in the global market.
This step taken by Pakistan towards membership in the Lisbon Agreement marks a significant milestone in the protection and promotion of its unique geographical indications. It opens up new doors of opportunity for Pakistani products to gain recognition and thrive in the international market.
Source: [Pakistan gears up to become a member of the Lisbon Agreement for global Geographical Indication protection](https://www.mondaq.com)
