Ministers from Central America and the Dominican Republic affirmed their commitment to leveraging intellectual property as a driver of innovation and economic growth during their Ninth Ministerial Meeting in San Salvador on October 27, 2026. The meeting featured participation from WIPO Director General Daren Tang and various high-ranking officials.
Representatives from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama convened under the theme “Intellectual Property as a Catalyst for Investment, Trade and Exports.” Discussions centered on enhancing regional cooperation, resulting in the adoption of a Declaration that prioritizes several key initiatives.
The ministers agreed on launching a third phase of intellectual property financing aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This phase includes pilot programs designed to assist financial institutions in evaluating IP and other intangible assets. Additionally, officials emphasized the need for stronger innovation ecosystems through coordinated institutional efforts and improved data collection, referencing WIPO’s Global Innovation Index.
Support for young creators and entrepreneurs in the fields of digital creativity and asset management, as well as protection of digital assets, was also highlighted as a priority during the meeting.
Other Engagements in El Salvador
- During the meeting, bilateral discussions took place among ministers and senior officials from participating countries to explore national priorities and enhance the role of IP in innovation and economic development.
- Director General Daren Tang visited Surf City with El Salvador’s Minister of Economy María Luisa Hayem and Minister of Tourism Morena Valdez. The visit highlighted the outcomes of a WIPO initiative that aids local entrepreneurs in utilizing IP to improve branding and value in tourism services.
- He also participated in signing an agreement between WIPO’s Accessible Books Consortium and El Salvador’s Ministry of Culture, aimed at enhancing access to published works in accessible formats for individuals who are visually impaired or otherwise print disabled.
- Additionally, Tang toured the Technology Center on Digital Transformation to review national efforts promoting technological innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
