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OAPI and ARIPO sign new cooperation agreement

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) and sister organisation, Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle [African Intellectual Property Organisation] (OAPI), signed a four year Cooperation Agreement at the ARIPO headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe in February. This Agreement establishes a comprehensive cooperation framework in intellectual property matters for the two parties. In the new Agreement, OAPI and ARIPO have agreed to: work towards the harmonisation of their systems; exchange documentation and technical information; mutually cooperate in the development of training and joint capacity building programs including in user awareness.

The agreement also requires that either party offers technical assistance to the other when such assistance has been requested for. Importantly too, OAPI and ARIPO agreed to take common positions on major IP issues affecting the Member States of the two organisations at continental and international levels.