AGA-Africa Programme Board Member, Markus Green, International Advisor, John Edozie and Programme Director and Country Coordinator for Kenya, Chukukere Unamba-Oparah, represented the Programme’s leadership at the 1st International Symposium on Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement on 13th-15th June, 2023, where distinguished delegates converged at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.
The AGA-Africa Programme were the golden sponsors for the three-day symposium themed ‘Spurring Digital-Driven Economies by Addressing IP Infringement & Related Forms of Illicit Trade’.
The symposium brought together delegates comprising prominent stakeholders, policy makers, legal experts, industry leaders, as well as national, regional and international subject matter experts from Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Germany and the United States.
The symposium was officially opened by Dr. Juma Mukhwana, PHD, HSC, Principal Secretary, State Department for Industry, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry who delivered a keynote address on behalf of Hon. Moses Kuria, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.
Other distinguished guest speakers were Dr. Robi Njoroge, Executive Director, Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Flora Mutahi, Chair Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Hon. Josphat Kabeabea, Chairman, Anti-Counterfeit Authority Board of Directors and John Edozie, International Advisor, AGA-Africa Programme.
The AGA-Africa Programme brought in two subject matter experts: Gen. Hector Hugo Balderas Jr, Former Attorney General of New Mexico, who took part in the panel discussions: ‘Illicit Trade-Crime as a Bottleneck in National and Border Security, and Socio-Economic Development’ and John Ukegbu, Esq, Senior Staff Attorney, New Jersey Office, Northeast, New Jersey Legal Service, United States who moderated sessions on ‘Legislations and Policies’ and ‘International and Regional Perspectives of IP Enforcement, Public Awareness, Research and Dispute Resolution’.
Other keynote speakers during the symposium included Anthony Mwangi, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and Member, Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Board of Directors, Dr. Wanjiku Manyara, Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA), Dr. David Omwoyo, Chief Executive Officer, Media Council of Kenya, Richard Kavetsa, Director, Anti-Counterfeiting Network of Uganda, Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector, World Intellectual Property Organization, Julius Macharia, Deputy Commissioner Customs, Kenya Revenue Authority, Dr. David Omwoyo, Chief Executive Officer, Media Council of Kenya, Angela Ndambuki, Regional Director, International Federation of Phonographic Industry for Sub-Saharan Africa and Moses Kurgat, Chairman IP Tribunal and Co-convener IP/ICT Committee Law Society Kenya.
Director Corporate Services, Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Rephah Kitavi chaired the closing ceremony with Dr. Robi Njoroge, Executive Director, Anti-Counterfeit Authority and Markus Green, Board Member, AGA-Africa Programme delivering closing remarks.
Agnes Karingu, Deputy Director Education and Public Awareness, Anti-Counterfeit Authority gave the vote of thanks and brought the first edition of the symposium to a successful close.
