Businesses need certainty to thrive in today’s fast-paced economy. To unlock innovation, drive digitalisation, and ensure sustainable growth, market players need a guarantee that intellectual property rights protect their hard work and breakthroughs. Well aware of this fact, ASEAN and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in August 2023. This MoU began a collaboration to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), advance the digital economy, and grow the creative industries through the strategic use of intellectual property (IP) across Southeast Asia.
A year after its signing, the partnership has made impressive strides. This success has opened opportunities for greater impact, especially within ASEAN’s SME ecosystem. SMEs make up 97 percent of all businesses and are the backbone of ASEAN’s economy.
Recognising this importance, the MoU focuses on equipping these enterprises with the tools
to leverage IP for growth. Programmes such as branding boot camps and IP management clinics aim to empower SMEs by protecting and commercializing their innovations. These initiatives enhance competitiveness and fuel ASEAN’s economic growth, enabling SMEs to thrive on regional and global stages. With over 7.3 million IP registrations and 50,000 daily hits, this partnership signifies the importance of intellectual property for innovators and investors. The IP register provides businesses, innovators, and investors critical access to IP data across the region. This tool showcases the tangible benefits of the ASEAN-WIPO collaboration, making IP more accessible and fostering a culture of innovation that will drive SMEs’ growth and sustainability for years to come.
Besides SMEs, the digital economy is another primary focus of the MoU. Projected to reach 1 trillion US dollars by 2030, ASEAN’s digital landscape is poised for tremendous expansion, and IP is vital in keeping the region competitive. By integrating IP systems with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, patent analytics, and mobile applications, the partnership is laying the groundwork for a thriving digital ecosystem. Over 19,000 individuals across ASEAN have benefited from WIPO Academy training programmes, equipping businesses and professionals with the skills needed to capitalise on the region’s digital transformation. Beyond that, the partnership also extends to the creative industries, such as artists, authors, and creators, where many IP problems often arise.
The 56th ASEAN Economic Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) marked a pivotal moment in this journey: a call to scale up the partnership to meet the region’s growing needs. While the progress over the past year has been significant, both ASEAN and WIPO recognise that there is so much more to achieve together. By expanding IP education, investing in upskilling the workforce, enhancing digital infrastructure, and unlocking intangible assets, ASEAN is well-positioned to build on its own. As ASEAN moves toward a post-2025 Economic Community, this effort is a commitment and a guarantee that ASEAN is a place where innovation is celebrated and creativity is protected. It is a community which provides endless opportunities for all.