Saudi Arabia Takes Leadership Positions on Most Prominent WIPO Committees
Riyadh, July 17, 2025 – The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) achieved a world landmark in intellectual property regulation by engaging in the 66th WIPO General Assembly meeting that took place in Geneva. Saudi Arabia was voted to preside over key international assemblies and committees, solidifying the Kingdom’s increasing influence and global confidence in its role in the IP world.
Eng. Sami bin Ali Al-Sudais, SAIP Deputy CEO of Corporate Affairs, was chosen as Chair of the Berne Union Assembly, which oversees the protection of literary and artistic works under the Berne Convention. This assembly plays a significant role in protecting the rights of creators to have control over the use and distribution of their work.
In addition, Fawaz bin Essa Almuballi, Deputy CEO of Corporate Resources, was voted Chair of the Nice Union Assembly, which is in charge of overseeing the international classification of trademarks, a framework employed by all member states for simplifying and unifying trademark registrations.
Hesham bin Saad Alarifi, Executive Director of Partnerships and International Relations, was appointed Chair of the Berne Union Executive Committee, an organ that oversees compliance with the Berne Convention by member states. Mizael Alharbi, Executive Director of Patents, was appointed Vice Chair of the International Patent Classification Union Assembly, a most important body charged with renewing and modernizing the international patent classification system in accordance with advances in technology.
Saudi Arabia’s role was further boosted with its membership to the WIPO Coordination Committee, charged with such important responsibilities as electing the director-general and guiding the organization’s strategic direction. The Kingdom was also re-elected to the Program and Budget Committee, which is in charge of WIPO’s financial and programmatic planning.
These appointments reinforce Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global intellectual property policy and its efforts to create an international ecosystem that supports innovation, creativity, and sustainable economic growth. With these appointments, the Kingdom maintains its status as a prime location in the global IP environment.
