Daren Tang

World Intellectual Property Organization Director General

Daren Tang, of Singapore, was appointed as the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 5th Director General on October 1, 2020.
Under Mr. Tang’s leadership, WIPO is focused on transforming intellectual property (IP) from a technical matter into a powerful catalyst for jobs, investments, enterprise growth, and economic, social and cultural development for all countries. Robust IP systems create the conditions for innovation and creativity to thrive.
Daren Tang
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Director General Daren Tang

Under Daren Tang’s leadership, WIPO is working to transform IP from a technical matter into a powerful catalyst for jobs, investments, enterprise growth, as well as economic, social and cultural development for all countries. He is also committed to ensuring the Organization works to harness the power of IP to provide innovative solutions to our common, global challenges like climate change.

To do this, IP must go beyond the specialist to connect with those innovating and creating at the grassroots level. To make IP more inclusive, he believes that the focus of the global IP ecosystem should also broaden to include SMEs, women, youth and even those from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. He has spearheaded initiatives to enhance IP education and capacity-building in developing countries, in particular through impact-driven projects that have empowered hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries in the past few years.

Mr. Tang has championed the modernization of WIPO’s services and operations, leveraging digital technologies to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of its global IP systems. He has also overseen reforms to make WIPO’s services more efficient and user friendly, streamlining processes and enhancing the Organization’s responsiveness to its diverse stakeholders.  
The Director General advocates for a global IP ecosystem that is balanced, accessible and serves the interests of all WIPO Member States. His forward-looking approach is geared to ensuring that WIPO can continue to add value through its unique insights, ability to create and nurture connections and empower innovators and creators from around the world. 
In a world facing geopolitical challenges, economic uncertainty and fast emerging technologies, he believes that IP, innovation and creativity serve as a bridge to connect countries together for the common good for all.  
Director General Daren Tang

WIPO under Director General Tang

WIPO continues to make significant strides in advancing the global IP system. This includes the adoption by Member States of two major international treaties in 2024 – theWIPO Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge and theRiyadh Design Law Treaty. These landmark achievements benefit innovators everywhere.
Mr. Tang is also leading the modernization of WIPO’s IP registries and services, driving a transformation in customer service and harnessing digital technologies to improve efficiency and accessibility. WIPO is also stepping-up support for Member States in areas like IP enforcement and dispute resolution, where demand is rising around the world.
In reinforcing WIPO’s position asthe place for IP thought-leadership and exchange, Mr. Tang is spearheading initiatives onIP and Frontier Technologies,IP Finance and thefuture of IP. WIPO’s data and analysis –including theGlobal Innovation Index– shine new light on critical innovation trends, influencing policymakers and IP professionals the world over. New platforms, including creators’ portalCLIP, have quicky become global leaders in the field.
One special area of focus is bringing IP to the grassroots. Mr. Tang believes in better serving groups likewomen,youthandSMEs – focusing not just on IP registration but also IP commercialization. Highlights include WIPO firstIP and Gender Action Plan, WIPO’s firstYouth Engagement Strategy and a more impactful approach todevelopment assistance. TheWIPO Academy has trained over 600,000 people in the past four years, over 80% from developing countries.
Mr. Tang is committed to ensuring the Organization works to harness the power of IP to provide innovative solutions to our common, global challenges like climate change. To do this, IP must go beyond the specialist to connect with those innovating and creating at the grassroots level. To make IP more inclusive, Mr. Tang believes that the focus of the global IP ecosystem should also broaden to includeSMEs,women,youth and even those fromindigenous peoples and local communities. He has spearheaded initiatives to enhanceIP education and capacity-building in developing countries, in particular through impact-driven projects that have empowered hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries in the past few years.
Mr. Tang has championed the modernization ofWIPO’s services and operations, leveraging digital technologies to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of its global IP systems. He has also overseen reforms to make WIPO’s services more efficient and user friendly, streamlining processes and enhancing the Organization’s responsiveness to its diverse stakeholders.
The Director General advocates for a global IP ecosystem that is balanced, accessible and serves the interests of all WIPO Member States. His forward-looking approach is geared to ensuring that WIPO can continue to add value through itsunique insights, ability to create and nurture connections and empower innovators and creators from around the world.
In a world facing geopolitical challenges, economic uncertainty and fast emerging technologies, he believes that IP, innovation and creativity serve as a bridge to connect countries together for the common good for all.

Medium-Term Strategic Plan 2022-2026 [PDF]

The MTSP outlines WIPO's strategic direction and serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for the Organization.
Woman looking at the Medium Term Strategic Plan visual on a tablet

Medium-Term Strategic Plan 2022-2026 [PDF]

The MTSP outlines WIPO's strategic direction and serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for the Organization.

WIPO under DG Tang’s leadership

Daren Tang is leading  WIPO in transforming intellectual property (IP) from a technical matter into a powerful catalyst for jobs, investments, enterprise growth, as well as economic, social and cultural development for all countries. He is also committed to ensuring the Organization works to harness the power of IP to provide innovative solutions to our common, global challenges like climate change.
To do this, IP must go beyond the specialist to connect with those innovating and creating at the grassroots level. To make IP more inclusive, Mr. Tang believes that the focus of the global IP ecosystem should also broaden to includeSMEs,women,youth and even those fromindigenous peoples and local communities. He has spearheaded initiatives to enhanceIP education and capacity-building in developing countries, in particular through impact-driven projects that have empowered hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries in the past few years.​​​​​
Mr. Tang has championed the modernization ofWIPO’s services and operations, leveraging digital technologies to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of its global IP systems. He has also overseen reforms to make WIPO’s services more efficient and user friendly, streamlining processes and enhancing the Organization’s responsiveness to its diverse stakeholders.​​​​​​
The Director General advocates for a global IP ecosystem that is balanced, accessible and serves the interests of all WIPO Member States. His forward-looking approach is geared to ensuring that WIPO can continue to add value through itsunique insights, ability to create and nurture connections and empower innovators and creators from around the world.​​​​​
In a world facing geopolitical challenges, economic uncertainty and fast emerging technologies, he believes that IP, innovation and creativity serve as a bridge to connect countries together for the common good for all.

Director General Tang quotes

Daren Tang at the adoption of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty

“Let this conference inspire us to a world where innovation knows no borders, where creativity flourishes and where IP serves as a powerful force for good. Together, we’ve made history. Together, let us continue to do so for the good of innovators and creators everywhere.”

Daren Tang at theadoption of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty

November 22, 2024

Daren Tang at the adoption of the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge

“Today we made history in many ways. This is not just the first new WIPO Treaty in over a decade but also the first one that deals with genetic resources and traditional knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities. Through this, we are showing that the IP system can continue to incentivize innovation while evolving in a more inclusive way, responding to the needs of all countries and their communities.”

Daren Tang on theadoption of the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge

May 24, 2024

Daren Tang at the Panel on Intangible Assets at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

“Sometimes the most powerful forces are unseen. One of the great economic shifts in recent times is the quiet revolution in value creation from tangible assets (like factories, inventories and equipment) to intangible ones (like brands, designs, software and data).”

Daren Tang at the Panel on Intangible Assets at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

January 24, 2025

Daren Tang at the release of the Global Innovation Index 2024

“At WIPO, we see a growing interest in innovation from around the world. More and more countries are realizing that unleashing the innovation potential of their people is critical to growth and development, as well as addressing local and global challenges. The challenge for policymakers is how to build a vibrant innovation ecosystem that helps a great idea make real impact.”

Daren Tang on the release of theGlobal Innovation Index 2024

September 26, 2024

Daren Tang at the EU Presidency Conference on IP

“As a technology it has been said that gen AI will replace the human innovator or creator. That has not been my experience. Gen AI remains a skilful replicator, but it lacks the real spark of originality and inventiveness that characterizes human innovation and creativity. We can train it on Monet’s paintings to produce millions of impressionistic paintings, but it would never be able to create a Picasso.”

Daren Tang at the EU Presidency Conference on IP

October 1, 2024

“As nations worldwide strive to achieve net-zero emissions and build new forms of connectivity, the future of transportation will profoundly impact us all. At this pivotal juncture, we need bold thinking as well as collaborative action to shape policies, standards and regulations that promote commercialization of these great inventions poised to transform the transportation industry.”

Daren Tang at the launch of theWIPO Technology Trends: Future of Transportation report

February 6, 2025

Daren Tang at the launch of the WIPO Technology Trends: Future of Transportation report

“Sometimes the most powerful forces are unseen. One of the great economic shifts in recent times is the quiet revolution in value creation from tangible assets (like factories, inventories and equipment) to intangible ones (like brands, designs, software and data).”

Daren Tang at the Panel on Intangible Assets at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

January 24, 2025

Daren Tang at the Panel on Intangible Assets at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

The WIPO Global Awards showcase how intellectual property empowers companies to bring to the market great products, while tackling local and global challenges and improving lives. In 2025, we’re proud to deepen our commitment to inclusivity and innovation by recognizing outstanding women and youth entrepreneurs among the winners as part of the competition. These new special mentions reflect WIPO’s vision for a future where everyone, everywhere, benefits from IP-driven solutions.

Daren Tang on the opening of applications for theWIPO Global Awards 2025

January 15, 2025

Daren Tang at the opening of applications for the WIPO Global Awards 2025

“Let this conference inspire us to a world where innovation knows no borders, where creativity flourishes and where IP serves as a powerful force for good. Together, we’ve made history. Together, let us continue to do so for the good of innovators and creators everywhere.”

Daren Tang at theadoption of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty

November 22, 2024

Daren Tang at the adoption of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty

“At WIPO, we see a growing interest in innovation from around the world. More and more countries are realizing that unleashing the innovation potential of their people is critical to growth and development, as well as addressing local and global challenges. The challenge for policymakers is how to build a vibrant innovation ecosystem that helps a great idea make real impact.”

Daren Tang on the release of theGlobal Innovation Index 2024

September 26, 2024

Daren Tang at the release of the Global Innovation Index 2024

“IP will be critical in harnessing human invention, ingenuity and creativity in service of the Pact’s goals. For this, we need to ensure that our ambitions are translated into concrete actions with on-the-ground impact.”

Daren Tang at theSummit of the Future

September 22, 2024

Daren Tang at the Summit of the Future

“Today we made history in many ways. This is not just the first new WIPO Treaty in over a decade but also the first one that deals with genetic resources and traditional knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities. Through this, we are showing that the IP system can continue to incentivize innovation while evolving in a more inclusive way, responding to the needs of all countries and their communities.”

Daren Tang on theadoption of the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge

May 24, 2024

Daren Tang at the adoption of the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge

Speeches

  • Opening Speech to the Launch Event - “WIPO Technology Trends: Future of Transportation” (February 6, 2025) [PDF]
  • Closing Remarks to the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt a Design Law Treaty (November 22, 2024) [PDF]
  • Opening Remarks to the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt a Design Law Treaty (November 11, 2024) [PDF]
  • Opening Ceremony of the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt a Design Law Treaty (November 11, 2024) [PDF]
  • Keynote Address, Intellectual Property in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (October 1, 2024) [PDF]