SG’s Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law champions green innovation on World IP Day
26 April 2024
Photo: IPOS | World IP Day 2024: IP and the SDGs
As the world commemorates World IP Day this April 26, 2024, Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam SC releases a celebratory note to mark the occasion by championing green innovation and sustainable development.
Established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000, World IP Day is a global annual celebration aimed at raising awareness of IP rights and recognizing the importance of IP in innovation and creativity. This year, the occasion bears the theme “IP and the Sustainable Development Goals: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity.”
In his celebratory note published on the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore’s (IPOS) website, Shanmugam underscored Singapore’s efforts toward sustainable development. These include the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the Forward Singapore movement and the government’s allocation of S$5 billion (US$3.7 billion) for investments in green technology, sustainable infrastructure and climate adaptation. The budget allocation aims to achieve a low-carbon transition for the city-state.
“The trend towards green innovation and sustainable development is growing, in the region and beyond. By providing a strong IP environment, Singapore can help to support businesses in this regard,” said Shanmugam.
He proceeded to cite some statistics:
- By 2030, Asia has the potential to generate up to US$4.3 trillion of revenue and 232 million jobs in the region, in climate mitigation alone.
- Trademark filings for green or sustainability-related goods and services in Singapore have increased by over 30 percent in the past five years, particularly in solar energy, water purification and environmental services.
- The Southeast Asia Patent Landscape report, developed in collaboration with the WIPO Singapore Office, noted a record high of 54,000 patent applications in Southeast Asia in 2022, particularly in key sustainability areas such as digital technologies that improve connectivity and enhance urban efficiency. With six out of every seven applications coming from entities outside Southeast Asia, Singapore is in a position to support this growing market.
Shanmugam also mentioned key initiatives undertaken by various government agencies in Singapore to boost the country’s capabilities as an IP hub. Among these are:
- The Tech Insights through Patents (TIP) for Green Technologies developed by IPOS International with support from the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA);
- The Green Innovation Starter Guide jointly developed by Enterprise Singapore, BCA, IPOS International, IPI Singapore and Ashrae; and
- The Whole-of-Government IP Portal and Community of Practice for IP Management online platform.
Shanmugam ended his note by enjoining everyone to visit the Digital Gallery, which showcases innovation efforts by different industries and communities in Singapore.
Read the complete celebratory note here.
- Espie Angelica A. de Leon
