UAE joins Locarno Agreement as intellectual property filings continue to rise.
Dubai: The UAE has officially become a member of the Locarno Agreement on the International Classification for Industrial Designs, marking a major step in enhancing the country’s intellectual property framework and aligning it with global standards.
The announcement was made as Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, led the UAE delegation at the 68th Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), taking place at the organisation’s headquarters in Geneva from July 7 to 15.
UAE joins global design classification pact
The Locarno Agreement, adopted in the Swiss city of Locarno on October 8, 1968 and administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), provides a unified international classification system for industrial designs.
Bin Touq said the UAE’s accession to the agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s industrial design protection framework and further developing its national intellectual property ecosystem in line with global best practices.
He said the move reflects the UAE’s commitment to expanding international cooperation in intellectual property, particularly by strengthening industrial design protection, simplifying registration processes, improving design searches and comparisons among member states, and creating a more unified classification system across intellectual property offices.
Addressing the WIPO assembly, Bin Touq highlighted that the UAE has prioritised building an advanced institutional environment that supports innovators and inventors by safeguarding intellectual property rights and encouraging innovation across individuals and organisations. He said the efforts align with the goals of the “We the UAE 2031” vision and the country’s ambition to establish itself as a global centre for a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy.
He added that the UAE has established advanced and forward-looking intellectual property legislation covering the regulation and protection of industrial property rights, trademarks, copyright and related rights.
The legislative framework has enhanced intellectual property protection while creating a supportive environment for start-ups, entrepreneurs and the cultural and creative sectors. These efforts have contributed to economic diversification, stronger competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Bin Touq noted that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism has introduced more than 60 specialised initiatives over the past three years to strengthen the UAE’s intellectual property, innovation and creativity ecosystem, averaging over 20 initiatives each year.
Among these initiatives is the launch of the Trademark Marketplace, the UAE’s first digital platform of its kind in the region dedicated to the buying and trading of trademarks.
He said these efforts have strengthened the UAE’s reputation as a regional and global hub for innovation and competitiveness. The country has retained its position as the top Arab performer in the Global Innovation Index for the sixth consecutive year while improving its global ranking to 30th place.
Bin Touq also highlighted the importance of responding to rapid advances in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies through balanced regulatory frameworks that promote innovation while protecting intellectual property rights.
He noted that the UAE ranked first globally in AI adoption during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting the country’s growing focus on technology-driven innovation and digital transformation.
Trademark filings remain strong
The UAE’s intellectual property sector continues to record strong growth, highlighting the impact of recent legislation, initiatives and programmes aimed at strengthening innovation and creativity.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism registered 17,217 national and international trademarks during the first half of 2026, while the total number of trademarks registered throughout 2025 reached 39,113.
The number of registered intellectual works also rose by 35.4% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. The total number of intellectual works registered during 2025 stood at 2,082.
Patent applications continue to grow
Patent activity also maintained its upward trend, with the ministry recording a 12% increase in patent applications during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
A total of 4,353 patent applications were submitted in 2025, while applications for utility model certificates increased by 7.14% during the first half of 2026.
The UAE has also expanded efforts to protect broadcasting rights and tackle digital piracy. The Ministry’s Insta Block Centre blocked 31,852 websites found to be infringing intellectual property rights during 2026, with the number of blocked sites rising by 26% in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2025.
