Regional Office for Capacity Building for the World Customs Organization Europe Region (ROCB Europe) organized a Webinar under the theme of "Intellectual Property Rights: Improving Knowledge and Sharing Experiences" on 17 June 2021. 

The main purpose of the webinar, which is carried out with the participation of experts from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Customs Organization (WCO), Schmitt & Orlov Intellectual Property Company, the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and ROCB Europe was to emphasize the growing importance of intellectual property rights in the modern world, the objects of intellectual property, the protection of their rights, international cooperation in this area, as well as the latest achievements.

The webinar was attended by 20 countries with more than 100 customs officers from the Member Administrations of the World Customs Organization Europe Region.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Pranab Kumar DAS, Director of the WCO's Compliance and Facilitation Directorate, stressed the importance of ensuring the rights and interests of intellectual property rights holders, as well as strengthening regional strategic partnerships in this area.

Mr. Eser ÇENGEL, Head of the ROCB Europe, said that with taking into account the interests of WCO European member states, the event will contribute to increasing the effectiveness with reflecting the importance of the implementation and protection of intellectual property rights.

Then World Intellectual Property Organization "WIPO’s Work to Build Respect for IP and Its Relevance for Customs Authorities", the World Customs Organization " WCO perspectives in the fight against IP infringements during COVID-19 crisis", "Schmitt & Orlov Intellectual Property" company " Practical issues of identifying and distinguishing counterfeit products from the original" and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan "Enforcement of intellectual property rights in Azerbaijan" made presentations on abovementioned topics.

The participants were provided with detailed information with regard how to strengthen understanding and provide best practices as well as effective measures, support building respect within the frame of Intellectual Property Rights, promote fight against infringements thereof and ways for identifying counterfeit goods.