PRESS CONFERENCE

FOR
HONOURABLE MINISTER
OF
JUSTICE LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
BACKGROUND

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) is an

Inter-governmental organization (IGO) that was, established, inter alia, to
promote, harmonize and develop intellectual property systems in Africa.

The governance Structure

Council of Ministers
At the top is there is a Council of Minister consisting of Ministers responsible
for the administration of intellectual property in their respective countries. This
Council is responsible for making policy and giving the organization strategic
direction. The Council of Ministers meets once every two years and the last
meeting was in Liberia in 2019.
Administrative Council
The Administrative Council is composed of heads of offices responsible for
industrial property and copyright in the Member States. This Council supervises
the implementation by the Secretariat of Council of Ministers policy decisions.
The Admin Council meets once every year and the last meeting in 2020 was
virtual.
In Victoria Falls next week there will two meetings, one feeding into the other.
The Administrative Council will take place from 6 to 8 December preceding the
Council of Ministers session which will take place from 9 to 10 December.
The Council of Ministers meeting will be opened by His Excellence the
President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and The Administrative Council
session, will be opened by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary
Affairs.
Importance of The Conference
 Zimbabwe is privileged to host the conference as it is an opportunity to
strengthen regional administration and use of intellectual property.
 This is also taking place at a time that Africa is discussing Intellectual
Property Protocol in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. Africa
needs to promote its own creativity and harnessing the power of
innovation.
 Such meetings also help to demystify intellectual property as a business
tool and promote its increased use in commerce and industry.
 PRESS CONFERENCE
FOR
PERMANENT SECRETARY
MINISTERY OF JUSTICE LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
MRS. V. MABIZA
BACKGROUND

Innovation and creativity are critical for industrial growth and contribute
greatly towards the attainment of Vision 2030. As you, all know
Zimbabwe is striving “‘Towards a Prosperous and Empowered Upper
Middle class income Society by 2030” and Intellectual Property is very
instrumental in achieving that vision.

 In line with the Second Republics policy of engagement and

reengagement, the Government of Zimbabwe is, honoured to be
hosting the 45th Session of the ARIPO Administrative Council and 18 th
Session Council of Ministers. This decision was, taken at the last
Council of Ministers in Liberia in 2019.
 Still on Intellectual Property Cabinet took a decision to create the
Companies and Intellectual Property office of Zimbabwe as a semi -
autonomous entity in line with international best practice. This will
release the new entity to promote creativity and The Ease of Doing
Business in Zimbabwe.

Benefits
 Protection of Intellectual, Property is territorial, so some inventors and
creators may need protection beyond Zimbabwe. Regional
organizations such as ARIPO can facilitate transboundary protection
of intellectual property.
 The setting up, of CIP Zimbabwe as a semi – autonomous entity is a
huge step forward and the biggest beneficiary of this strategic decision
is the business community and investors in general.
 PRESS CONFERENCE
FOR
CHIEF REGISTRAR COMPANIES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
OFFICE
MR. W.MUSHAYI

THE CONFERENCE:
 The ARIPO secretariat was setup in Harare in 1982 and it started as an
office within the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
under the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property.
 Zimbabwe is assuming Chair of both the ARIPO Administrative
Council and the Council of Ministers for the first time since ARIPO
secretariat was set up. All member states are trusting Zimbabwe to
have oversight on the Secretariat as they implement Council decision.
 In between Council meetings has to clear some of the urgent matters.

EXPECTATIONS
 The setting up of the Companies and Intellectual Property Office is
motivated by serious need to improve service delivery and to promote,
creativity and innovation including access to relevant databases for
research purposes by researchers.
QUESTION FOR HONOURABLE MINISTER
1. How many African countries are participating in Victoria Falls
Response:
All 21 ARIPO member states are, expected to participate and 12 ministers
have confirmed attendance.

QUESTIONS FOR THE PERMANENT SECRETARY

1. When are you going to implement the Cabinet decision to create a semi –
autonomous Companies and Intellectual Property Office to manage
Companies and IP issues?

Response:
Implementation is already taking place and our priority areas of focus are
Restructuring, Rebranding and Relocation

QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF REGISTRAR

1. What difference can the Companies and Intellectual Property Office have
in terms of meeting stakeholder expectations?

Response:
 Restructuring is necessary to set up proper ICT systems
 Ease of Doing Business
 Collaboration with Schools, Universities, Research Institutions
including Zimbabwe Science Fair.
 Migration from manual to electronic platform.