Day One in Geneva : InfoCons is present at the Opening of the World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO's Sixty-Eighth Series of Assembly Meetings
InfoCons is present in Geneva, at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), for the first day of the Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO. Romania is represented at this major international event by InfoCons, through its President Sorin Mierlea, who takes part alongside the delegations of the 193 member states in the proceedings that mark the official opening of the 2026 sessions.
The opening day is solemn and procedural in nature, laying the groundwork for the entire series of meetings that will run until 15 July 2026. The presence of InfoCons from the very first day confirms the organization's steady commitment to the international dialogue on intellectual property and to the defence of the interests of Romanian and European consumers.
Agenda for 7 July 2026
The proceedings of the first day take place in the WIPO Conference Hall, both in the morning session (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) and in the afternoon session (3 p.m.-6 p.m.). The day's agenda covers items 1 to 4 of the consolidated agenda of the A/68 series:
- Item 1 – Opening of the Sessions: the official inauguration of the work of the Assemblies of the Member States.
- Item 2 – Adoption of the Agenda: approval of the consolidated agenda (document A/68/1 Prov.3), which structures all the topics to be discussed.
- Item 3 – Address of the Director General to the Assemblies of WIPO: presentation of the strategic priorities and of the balance sheet of the Organization's work.
- Item 4 – General Statements: the interventions of the member state delegations, which continue into the afternoon session.
Who WIPO is and what the Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings represents
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting and protecting intellectual property across the world. Established in 1967 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, WIPO brings together 193 member states and administers an extensive framework of international treaties, global services and public policies covering patents, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, copyright and related rights. Its mission is to build a balanced and effective international intellectual property system that fosters innovation and creativity for the benefit of everyone.
WIPO's principal policy-making and decision-making bodies are the General Assembly and the Coordination Committee. Alongside them, twenty-two Assemblies and other bodies of the member states and of the Unions administered by the Organization meet annually in ordinary or extraordinary sessions. These meetings give member states the opportunity to take stock of the progress achieved in the Organization's work and to discuss future policy directions. The Diplomatic Engagement and Assemblies Affairs Division acts as the secretariat for WIPO's governing bodies.
The Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO (A/68) is being held in Geneva, at WIPO headquarters, from 7 to 15 July 2026, in a hybrid format that allows both in-person and online participation. The proceedings are supported by interpretation in six languages – English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic – and gather government delegates, representatives of international and intergovernmental organizations, and observers from civil society and the business community. Morning sessions run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and afternoon sessions from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Geneva time).
Why these meetings matter for consumers
Intellectual property is not an abstract subject reserved for specialists: it has a direct impact on the everyday life of every consumer. Registered trademarks guarantee the origin and quality of the products we buy, patents drive the development of new medicines and technologies, and copyright protects the work of the creators of cultural and educational content. Equally, a robust intellectual property system is the main line of defence against counterfeit products, which can endanger the health and safety of citizens and cause significant economic losses.
For this reason, the decisions taken in Geneva, within the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO, have concrete consequences for consumers in Romania and across the European Union. The participation of InfoCons in these meetings ensures that the consumer perspective – often absent from technical debates – is brought forward and taken into account. By closely monitoring the agenda and engaging actively, InfoCons turns a complex international forum into a genuine opportunity to advance the interests of the wider public.
InfoCons – a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
InfoCons is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO. This official recognition places Romania on the global map of organizations that contribute to the international dialogue in the field of intellectual property, InfoCons being the only consumer protection organization in Romania accredited within this international forum.
Through its participation in the meetings, consultations and working groups organized by WIPO, InfoCons helps to promote consumer interests in the international debates on intellectual property and supports the development of policies that encourage innovation, respect for intellectual property rights and the fight against counterfeiting.
InfoCons is also an active member of the EUIPO Observatory – the European Union Intellectual Property Office – playing an important role within the Civil Society Working Group of the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights. This involvement underlines InfoCons' commitment to addressing the challenges generated by infringements of intellectual property rights at European level.
By taking part in the activities of the EUIPO Observatory, InfoCons contributes to the development of projects dedicated to combating counterfeiting and piracy, to promoting intellectual property education, and to raising consumer awareness of the impact that counterfeit products have on health, safety and the economy.
At national level, InfoCons has been a member since 2006 of the Working Group on Intellectual Property Matters, coordinated by the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. This nearly two-decade-long engagement reflects the continuity and seriousness with which the organization approaches intellectual property issues, always placing consumer protection and the public interest at the heart of its concerns.
About InfoCons
InfoCons is a non-governmental consumer protection organization, active at both national and international level, which advocates for respect for consumer rights, for the accurate information of citizens, and for a safe and fair consumer environment. Through educational projects, awareness campaigns, dedicated applications and a constant presence in national, European and international decision-making forums, InfoCons contributes to raising awareness of the fundamental rights of consumers. Its participation in events such as the Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO is proof of the organization's commitment to defending the interests of Romanian consumers in the most important global debates.
InfoCons' presence at the event
By attending the opening day, InfoCons – through its President Sorin Mierlea – brings the voice of Romanian consumers to the world's foremost forum on intellectual property, reaffirming Romania's role in the global debates on innovation, the protection of rights and the fight against counterfeiting.