MOCI Organizes International Mediation and Arbitration Conference

Doha: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), organized the International Mediation and Arbitration Conference under the theme "Examining the correlation between strong Intellectual Property rights protection and increased FDI inflows." In his speech at the opening session of the conference, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed bin Hassan Al Malki, highlighted the significance of the conference as it is being held for the first time in the region, reflecting the success of the cooperative efforts between Qatar and WIPO. He emphasized that the conference represents a strategic step in Qatar's efforts to embed the culture, awareness, and system of intellectual property rights protection, which is a cornerstone of economic activity and one of the most important intangible assets for national and foreign companies and business projects in the state. Furthermore, the conference marks an important step in enhancing cooperation with international economic organizations, particularly WIPO, which is actively participating in the conference to achieve shared goals. Al Malki explained that due to the importance of protecting intellectual property rights for economic initiatives and the necessity of fostering an environment that supports foreign investment through the development of capable enforcement personnel, Qatar has established regulations related to the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the arbitration system under Law No. 2 of 2017, which aims to provide a secure environment for resolving commercial disputes, especially for foreign investors. He pointed out that with the growing interest in intellectual property rights, Qatar has intensified its efforts to provide effective alternative dispute resolution mechanisms specifically for intellectual property rights. This led the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to c ollaborate with WIPO and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022 regarding the settlement of intellectual property disputes through alternative dispute resolution methods. He pointed out that the MoU encompasses arrangements for training arbitrators and mediators within Qatar, hoping to expand this partnership with WIPO and explore additional avenues for cooperation. The conference attracts participants, including a select group of experts and specialists in intellectual property rights, arbitration, and mediation, alongside government officials from the Middle East, policymakers, legal experts, academics, industry leaders, and representatives from international organizations and investor communities. On the sidelines of the conference, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry met with Assistant Director-General of WIPO Marco Aleman. The meeting reviewed the aspects of cooperation between Qatar and WIPO and discuss strengthening their partnership. HE Undersecretary of the Ministr y of Commerce and Industry expressed Qatar's appreciation for the support provided by WIPO in helping develop Qatar's intellectual property policies and systems, particularly in the ongoing development of the national intellectual property strategy and the implementation of the signed MoUs between the two sides. He reiterated Qatar's continuous commitment and support to WIPO in developing a balanced and effective international intellectual property system that encourages innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. The International Mediation and Arbitration Conference aims to provide a platform for exchanging expertise, knowledge, and cooperation among specialists in intellectual property rights, mediation, arbitration, and foreign direct investment in the Middle East. The conference seeks to enhance participants' understanding of how to strengthen their intellectual property frameworks and attract foreign direct investment through sharing experiences and showcasing best practices and international sta ndards. Conference sessions will discuss the available means for governments to enhance investment attractiveness, stimulate growth, and foster technology transfer through a robust intellectual property framework and effective dispute resolution mechanisms, with a focus on the Middle East. Source: Qatar News Agency