JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia highlighted during a global gathering the advances it has made in protecting intellectual property rights. The Kingdom is taking part in the 61st General Assembly of the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The event began at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva on Sept. 21 and continues until Sept. 25. The Saudi delegation is led by Abdul Aziz Al-Swailem, the CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), and includes a number of officials from the authority. Abdul Aziz Al-Wasil, the Saudi ambassador to the UN in Geneva, delivered The Kingdom’s speech on the opening day, during which he congratulated Daren Tang on his appointment as WIPO’s new director-general. He also praised the organization for its use of artificial intelligence technology in its work and the services it provides. He also highlighted the fact that Saudi Arabia has signed up to the Locarno Agreement and the Vienna Agreement, WIPO treaties designed to make it easier for brand owners and designers to protect their work, and added that the Kingdom intends to join more treaties by the end of the year. He also said that the SAIP has been working to establish a national committee for the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and to create and develop related laws. The SAIP has carried out a number inspection campaigns and investigations, Al-Wasil said. More than 1,000 websites were monitored and 230 blocked over intellectual property violations. In addition, more than 300 stores were inspected and more than 5,000 items confiscated that were in breach of intellectual property rights.