Inside WIPO

What is WIPO?

WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. We are a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.

Our mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. Our mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967.

Quick facts

History: established in 1967 | Membership: 193 member states | Director General: Daren Tang | Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

Who we are

Member states

Our 193 member states approve WIPO's strategic direction and activities in the annual meetings of the Assemblies.

• WIPO member states
• Decision-making bodies
• Information by country

Management & staff

Our staff (- the Secretariat), guided by our core values , provide the skills to implement the member states' decisions and deliver WIPO's diverse programs.

• Director General Daren Tang
• Sector Leads
• Activities by unit
• Organigram 

Observers

Some 250 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) have official observer status at WIPO meetings.

What we do

We help governments, businesses and society realize the benefits of IP.

We provide:

• a policy forum to shape balanced international IP rules for a changing world;
• global services to protect IP across borders and to resolve disputes;
• technical infrastructure to connect IP systems and share knowledge;
• cooperation and capacity-building programs to enable all countries to use IP for economic, social and cultural development;
• a world reference source for IP information

Activities

Each WIPO division, led by its Director, is responsible for specific aspects of WIPO’s work to achieve our objectives under the four Strategic Pillars and the Foundation.

• WIPO activities by unit
• The Year in Review: Report of the DG to the WIPO Assemblies
• WIPO – Making IP Work (a quick introduction to WIPO and what we do) 

Accountability

Results, program and budget

The objectives, performance measures and budgetary planning for all WIPO's proposed activities are set out in our Program of Work and Budget. We report to member states on the results each year in the WIPO Performance Report.

Financial reporting

We submit two-yearly financial management reports and annual financial statements to the Assemblies of the Member States, prepared in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Oversight

Our operations and activities are overseen and evaluated by external and internal bodies:

• WIPO Independent Advisory Oversight Committee (IAOC)
• External Auditor
• Internal Oversight Division (IOD)