The Brand Owners Protection Group and GCC government officials discuss challenges posed by illicit goods in Geneva

One of the keynote speakers was Her Highness Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy, who spoke on 'Promoting Better Legislation and Enforcement' and shared the UAE's experiences in this field at the Congress. In addition to the BPG members, a number of high level government officials from the various GCC countries also attended.

The BPG is a not-for-profit organization set up to fight illegal replication of genuine goods and other forms of illicit trade and strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights. The brand-owners are Beiersdorf, Black & Decker, BMW, British American Tobacco, DaimlerChrysler, Estee Lauder, General Motors, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Kao Brands, Kraft, Nestle, Philip Morris, Phillips, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever. The service-providers are Abu-Setta & Partners, AGN MAK, Al Tamimi & Co, Clyde & Co, Denton Wilde Sapte, Khasawneh & Associates, PICA, Rouse & Co International and Saba & Co.

The Chairman of the BPG, Mr. Omar Shteiwi of Nestle Middle East, who attended together with a number of other BPG Board and group members stated:

'Events like these raise awareness about intellectual property protection and enforcement to ensure the appropriate cooperation and coordination between international organizations, governments, NGOs and private sector. The Congress also allows participants to share and air problems to find solutions to truly global issues.'

'We are proud that HH Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, was a keynote speaker in such an important event. This reflects that governments in the Middle East consider intellectual property an important element,' said Hoda Barakat, Chair of the Middle East, Africa & South Asia, Anti-Counterfeiting and Enforcement Subcommittee of the International Trademark Association (INTA).

The Global Congress was convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization, Interpol and the World Customs Organization, with the support and participation of the world business community; namely Global Business Leaders Alliance against Counterfeiting (GBLAAC), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Security Management Association (ISMA), and the International Trademark Association (INTA).

The Congress was opened by the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization: Dr. Kamil Idris, the Secretary General of World Customs Organization Mr. Michel Danet and the Secretary General of Interpol: Mr. Ronald Noble. The opening by prestigious organizations set the tone for the event and was followed by a range of global representatives including Japan, the UK, the US, Malaysia, Romania, France, Germany, Belgium, Mexico, Austria, South Africa, India, Switzerland, South Korea, Italy, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Kenya.

This year's Global Congress was the third following Brussels (Belgium) in 2005 and Lyon (France) in 2006. It has become a key international forum for shaping practical strategies to meet the shared challenges posed by the worldwide trade in counterfeit and illicit products that threaten economic development, consumers' health and safety and good governance.

The Congress brought together top government and private sector representatives to pool their expertise, enhance international coordination and cooperation and seek more effective solutions in pursuit of their common goals of combating counterfeiting and piracy.

Government ministers and policy-makers, business leaders, senior law enforcement officials, judges, stake holders from non-governmental organizations and industry groups were also present.