On 1 October 2020, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)'s new Director General, Mr. Daren Tang, a national of Singapore, officially assumed office, succeeding Mr. Francis Gurry and starting a six-year term as head of the organisation.

 

Mr. Tang stated following his appointment that his priorities for WIPO going forward will focus on maintaining and building an inclusive, balanced, and forward-looking global IP ecosystem, which serves the interests of all countries and their stakeholders; allows the institutions, companies, policy makers, users, and all stakeholders to participate in and benefit from; and broadens the world's perspective of IP beyond its legal and technical aspects to its role as a supporter of entrepreneurs and enterprises, catalyst for investments, driver of economic growth and a promoter of social vibrancy.

 

Prior to the appointment, Mr. Tang served as chief executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), and from May 2017 also presided as chairperson of WIPO's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). Between 1997 and 2012, before joining IPOS, Mr. Tang held different legal positions within the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore.