HARARE: THE Tanzanian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, Suzan Kaganda, held talks with representatives of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization, whose headquarters are in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare.
The meeting aimed to formally introduce Ambassador Kaganda while also providing an overview of ARIPO’s mandate, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional collaboration and enhance day-to-day working relations.
The ARIPO delegation included the Head of Copyright and Related Rights, Maureen Fondo, and the Head of Search and Examination, Said Ramadhan. Both officials are Tanzanian nationals serving within the regional organization.
During the discussions, Ambassador Kaganda commended the officials for their contributions to ARIPO, noting that their presence helps elevate Tanzania’s profile at the international level.
She further emphasized that their roles are instrumental in safeguarding and advancing national interests within global and regional institutions dealing with intellectual property and innovation.
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In response, the ARIPO representatives expressed appreciation for the continued cooperation from the Embassy.
They highlighted that the organization was established following the Lusaka Agreement, signed on December 9, 1976, in Lusaka.
They further explained that ARIPO’s core mandate is to coordinate and manage intellectual property and innovation frameworks across its 22 member states, including Tanzania.
The organization aims to promote innovation, protect creators’ rights, and drive economic development across Africa through robust intellectual property systems.
