Statement by Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the Fortieth Session of WIPO Program and Budget Committee
Agenda item: General Statements
Statement
by
Mr. Mehdi Abbasi
Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
before
Fortieth Session of WIPO Program and Budget Committee
Agenda item: General Statements
Geneva, 15 June 2026
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Mr. Chair,
We congratulate you on your election and thank the Director General for his insightful opening remarks, as well as the Secretariat for the preparation of this session. My delegation aligns itself with APG statement.
WIPO's financial position remains robust. The challenge before Member States is to ensure that this strength translates into tangible benefits for all regions through balanced program delivery, equitable access to WIPO's services, and effective support for the diverse needs of Member States.
We welcome the prudent financial stewardship reflected in the 2024/25 biennium and the transparent reporting that enables Member States to exercise their oversight responsibilities. Transparency, accountability, and results-based management remain essential to maintaining the confidence of Member States and ensuring the effective use of the Organization's resources.
We also emphasize the importance of ensuring that WIPO's resources continue to support development-oriented activities, including technical assistance, capacity-building, and support for national innovation ecosystems. For many developing countries, meaningful participation in the global intellectual property system depends not only on access to services, but also on sustained institutional support and technical cooperation.
On External Offices, we recall that where no office exists, IP practitioners, institutions, innovators, and entrepreneurs do not benefit from the same level of proximity and institutional support available elsewhere. Addressing these gaps would contribute to a more balanced and inclusive implementation of WIPO's mandate and strengthen the Organization's ability to respond to the needs of all Member States.
Iran's position remains straightforward. The mandate and guiding principles already agreed by Member States provide a sufficient basis to conclude the Terms of Reference. Iran stands ready to engage constructively on all remaining issues.
We note that these negotiations have now entered its sixth year. While our preference remains a consensual conclusion, should consensus is unattainable through this approach, this Committee may need to consider alternative approaches for the General Assembly's consideration.
On human resources, Iran welcomes continued efforts to strengthen organizational effectiveness and modernize workforce management. These efforts should continue to be guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, merit, and inclusiveness.
At the same time, the Human Resources Report confirms that developing regions remain underrepresented. We encourage the Secretariat to build on existing initiatives and to report regularly on concrete progress toward improving geographical balance across the Organization, consistent with the objective of ensuring that WIPO's workforce reflects the diversity of its membership.
Mr. Chair,
WIPO's financial strength is a means to advance its mission. The decisions taken by this Committee should help ensure that the benefits of innovation, creativity, and the intellectual property system are shared more broadly and more equitably among all Member States. Iran remains ready to engage constructively toward that objective.
Thank you.
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