Algiers, September 28, 2025 – The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) inaugurated on Sunday in Algiers the fourth and final session of its “Training of Trainers” program on intellectual property, benefiting 63 Algerian specialists from various sectors and universities. The initiative aims to strengthen national expertise and build institutional capacity in intellectual property (IP).
Held under the theme “Intellectual Property and Modern Technologies”, the session was attended by senior officials including Samir Thaâlabi, Director General of the National Office of Copyright and Related Rights (ONDA); Mohamed Othman Ahmed Ould Essalek, Head of WIPO’s Algiers office; Abdelhafid Belmehdi, Director General of the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI); along with several experts.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Thaâlabi emphasized that the program, running until October 2, is the fruit of a national strategy developed jointly by ONDA and INAPI with WIPO’s support. He noted that more than 60 trainees have already benefited from the initiative, which paves the way for the establishment of an Algerian Academy of Intellectual Property – a project he described as a “civilizational endeavor to protect and valorize Algerian creativity both nationally and internationally.”
Mr. Belmehdi highlighted the importance of the initiative in advancing training, awareness, and capacity building in intellectual property, particularly in light of Algeria’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy.
For his part, Mr. Essalek underlined that this session is part of a broader WIPO program launched in 2010, through which the organization has supported over 30 member states in setting up national training centers in intellectual property. He praised Algeria’s consistent support and active partnership with WIPO, describing this program as “one of the most important training projects in Algeria in the field of intellectual property.”
Also speaking at the opening, WIPO’s training program officer Daniela Lizazaburo stressed that the conclusion of this cycle represents “a crucial step towards the establishment of Algeria’s National Academy of Intellectual Property”. She noted that the initiative demonstrates Algeria’s commitment to investing in the knowledge economy and developing human capital to strengthen competitiveness and achieve sustainable development.
The program’s graduates are expected to form the first generation of national trainers in intellectual property, tasked with spreading IP culture across universities, institutions, and creative sectors, while supporting entrepreneurs, inventors, and artists.
