A two-day Regional Conference on Intellectual Property (IP) for the policymakers of 15 least developed countries (LDCs) in the Asia and Pacific region will be hold in Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka on July 19 aiming at policy formulation and finalization of implementation strategies.

The Bangladeshi Ministry of Industries will arrange the conference in cooperation with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). For the first time, Bangladesh will be the part of such a big international conference, which is considered a big achievement, leading English newspaper The Daily Star reported on Saturday.

Three members from each of the 15 countries, including host Bangladesh, consisting of a minister, a lawmaker and a top government official will take part in the conference.

Other participating countries are Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, the Maldives, Afghanistan, Yemen, Cambodia, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Island, Tuvalu, Laos and East Timur.

A total of 14 themes have been selected for discussion in the two-day conference.

Industries Ministry sources said Bangladesh would get realistic ideas through the conference on how traditional knowledge, genetic resources, folklore and traditional cultural expressions can be incorporated in country's development and economic growth.

The conference is the outcome of a sideline talks between Industries Minister Dilip Barua and WIPO director general Dr Francis Gurry during a meeting on strategic use of intellectual property held in Geneva July last year.

WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interests.

(Source: Xinhua)