— The meeting, while centered on the Arusha Protocol, will also focus on other IP treaties including the WIPO Copyright Treaty.
From left: President Boakai and ARIPO Director General Bemanya Twebaze.
A high-level delegation from the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) is expected in the country from Oct. 13-15 to hold discussions with President Joseph Boakai on Liberia’s accession to the Arusha Protocol, as well as broader intellectual property (IP) development initiatives.
The delegation, led by ARIPO Director General Bemanya Twebaze, will also hold meetings with Commerce and Industry Minister Magdalene E. Dagoseh; Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah; Speaker of the House Richard Koon; and other senior government officials.
Adopted in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2015 under the auspices of ARIPO, the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants establishes a legal framework to safeguard the rights of plant breeders across Africa. It was developed to encourage innovation in agriculture by recognizing and protecting the work of scientists and breeders who create new plant varieties.
The protocol came into force in 2024 following the required number of ratifications and is currently enforceable in several ARIPO member states, including Ghana, Cabo Verde, Rwanda and Sao Tome’ and Principe. Since its enforcement, it has contributed to improved agricultural productivity, investment in crop research, and greater food security within member countries.
The Protocol provides legal protection for plant breeders and scientists who develop improved crop varieties with enhanced yields, quality, and disease resistance. Liberia’s accession to the protocol would strengthen IP rights for agricultural innovators, attract investment in agricultural research and development, and bolster national food security goals.
“The ARIPO mission underscores the Government of Liberia’s unwavering commitment to rights for Liberia’s agricultural innovators, thereby attracting investment in agricultural research and development while supporting food security goals,” says Hon. Garmai Koboi, Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO).
While Liberia is yet to sign up to the Arusha Protocol, the 2016 IP Act made provision for the protection of plant varieties. However, in the absence of accession to the Arusha Protocol and other IP treaties including the UNESCO Treaty, WIPO Copyright Treaty, Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, and the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, the Liberian IP ecosystem is not adequately benefiting from these international frameworks.
Hon. Koboi notes that the ARIPO Director General’s visit is an opportunity to examine other IP protocols whose accession is critical to the development of the country’s IP ecosystem.
The ARIPO mission comes as the administration of President Boakai has in the ARREST Agenda — the country’s development plan — identified intellectual property as a key tool for socio-economic development.
The Government’s decision is reflected in the Economic Transformation pillar of the ARREST Agenda, particularly Program 7 of the Business Enabling Environment strategies, with the goal of creating a robust national intellectual property ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship, employment and wealth creations.
