MUSCAT - Top experts from abroad and Oman are taking part in a conference on intellectual property and sustainable development, inaugurated here on Sunday by Abdulaziz bin Mohammed al Rowas, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s Advisor for Cultural Affairs in the presence of several ministers and other dignitaries.
The seminar on Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development...Attestation and Recording of Traditional Knowledge and Forms of Intangible Cultural Expression’ is organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo) in collaboration with the Public Authority of Craft Industries (PACI).
In remarks, Rowas underlined that intellectual property was the cornerstone for “development of nations through patents, industrial development and technical cooperation.” In Oman, it had opened avenues for the youth to develop their intellectual and technical creativity, he added.
The seminar focuses on intellectual property and its role in protecting inherited craft industries, regarded as the most important forms of intangible cultural expression, the sultanate”s experiences in this field and PACI’s efforts in documenting traditional crafts. Also being discussed in-depth is the Information Ministry”s drive to document traditional music and of the Heritage and Culture Ministry’s experience in collecting and preserving historical manuscripts and documents.