WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. It promotes innovation and creativity for the economic, social and cultural development of all countries, through a balanced and effective international intellectual property system.

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, WIPO, with 193 member states, is committed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributes in various ways to the attainment of the SDGs, although no direct reference is made to IP in the Goals and Targets composing the 2030 Agenda.

Development considerations became an integral part of WIPO’s work since the adoption in 2007 of the WIPO Development Agenda. The effective implementation of the Development Agenda is a key priority and a major component of the assistance WIPO provides to its Member States to help achieve the SDGs within its mandate.

WIPO’s Strategic Goals and Programs are aligned with the priorities set in the 2030 Agenda. Since 2018, the WIPO Program and Budget establishes a link between the Organization’s Strategic Goals and the SDGs. Under each of the concerned Strategic Goals, a wide range of programs and activities involving all the Organization’s Departments, contribute to the SDGs. The total number of Programs linked to the SDGs amount to twenty out of a total of thirty-one Programs. WIPO’s development cooperation, technical assistance and capacity building activities are strategically placed to deliver support to its Member States as they integrate the SDGs in their national development plans.

Intellectual property is a critical component for innovation, as it helps set the incentives structure for the world’s innovators who create the new technologies and processes that improve lives. In this way, innovation is key to the success of the SDGs. Only through human ingenuity and innovation will it be possible to develop new solutions that: eradicate poverty; boost agricultural productivity; ensure food security and good nutrition; increase access to energy and improve energy efficiency; fight disease; improve education; protect the environment; accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy; increase productivity; and boost business competitiveness.