On 14 May this year, in the Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the New Act of the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration, convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization, Republic of Moldova and the Organization for International Geographical Indications Network (oriGIn) organized a seminar entitled “Geographical Indications and Sustainable Development”.

On this occasion, the organizers gave a cocktail with tasting of traditional Moldovan products. Director General of WIPO, over 100 national delegates and diplomats, alongside of the representatives of numerous international organizations participating in the Diplomatic Conference, had the opportunity to appreciate the sheep’s cheese, nut and rose petal jam, honey, walnuts, dry prunes and local wines.

In the inaugural speech of Mrs. Lilia Bolocan, Director General of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), sustainable development was mentioned as one of the strategic objectives of the Republic of Moldova, and geographical indications were classified as viable platforms for its realization by their effect on socio-economic development. “That’s why Republic of Moldova attaches great importance to promotion of domestic products by using the advantages offered by this complex economic tool”.

“Given the geographical indications contribution to sustainable development and taking into account the challenges of producers and consumers related associated with counterfeiting of products with protected geographical indication globally, importance of the New Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the New Lisbon Agreement lies in the establishment of a robust and attractive at the same time protection system”.

Diplomatic Conference participants were able to visit the national stand in the period 11-15May this year.