His Excellency Judge Khalid bin Ali Al Obaidli, President of the Investment and Trade Court, participated today, Monday, in the conference titled "The Role of Intellectual Property in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment for Achieving Sustainable Development," held in Doha in partnership with Hamad Bin Khalifa University, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the International Law Association – GCC Branch. The conference will continue for two days.
The participation of His Excellency Judge Khalid bin Ali Al Obaidli, President of the Investment and Trade Court, together with a number of distinguished judges and senior officials of the Court, reflects the Court’s keenness to be actively present in national and international events that highlight the role of law and judicial systems in strengthening a sustainable investment environment based on innovation and the protection of intellectual property rights.
His Excellency the President of the Investment and Trade Court praised the excellent organization of the conference, extending his thanks to Hamad Bin Khalifa University for its kind invitation and its distinguished efforts with its partners in preparing for the event. He affirmed that such initiatives enhance cooperation between national and international institutions and support the path of economic development in the State of Qatar.
The conference brings together a distinguished group of scholars, legal experts, and policymakers, focusing on the latest developments in the protection of intellectual property rights. It also highlights the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for resolving intellectual property disputes and reviews ways in which sustainability policies can contribute to strengthening foreign direct investment and entrepreneurship within vital economic sectors.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasized in his speech at the conference that the State of Qatar prioritizes new means of dispute resolution, such as arbitration and mediation, considering them cornerstones of economic development and investment attraction. These mechanisms provide effective and swift means of resolving disputes and enhancing investor confidence.
For his part, Mr. Ignacio de Castro, Director of the Arbitration and Mediation Center at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation and exchanging expertise in developing mechanisms for resolving disputes related to intellectual property. He explained that the organization’s Arbitration and Mediation Center is witnessing rapid growth in the number of cases presented, with more than 850 cases recorded last year. It is expected that this year the number will exceed 1,000 cases for the first time. The cases cover various fields of intellectual property, from trademarks to modern technological innovations, including telecommunications and emerging technologies, reflecting the growing confidence in the mediation and arbitration mechanisms provided by the center regionally and internationally.
Dr. Susan Karamanian, Dean of the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, stated that the convening of the conference reflects the State of Qatar’s commitment to strengthening a legal and legislative environment supportive of investment and sustainable development. She pointed out that the conference is organized within the framework of a tripartite memorandum of understanding signed in 2022 between the University, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and WIPO, marking the first agreement of its kind. She affirmed that arbitration has become a prominent means of resolving disputes related to intellectual property, given their complexity and need for specialized expertise. She expressed her gratitude to the conference partners and the efforts of academic staff and students in ensuring its success, noting that the College of Law contributes through its research expertise in trade, investment, and sustainable development to support Qatar’s path toward innovation and the protection of intellectual property rights.