Daren Tang Nominated for Second Term as WIPO Director General by Coordination Committee

On February 12, 2026, the Coordination Committee of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) formally proposed the incumbent, Mr. Daren Tang, to continue his leadership of the agency for an additional mandate. This critical procedural step reinforces the strategic trajectory established during the initial tenure of WIPO Director General and WIPO Director Daren Tang.

Nomination Process and Voting Results

The WIPO Coordination Committee, consisting of 83 Member States, met in Geneva to select a nominee for the forthcoming six-year administrative cycle. Under the legal framework established by the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, the selection process involves a thorough assessment of candidates to lead the UN specialized agency.

In a comprehensive first round of balloting, Mr. Daren Tang obtained 81 votes from the committee members. The opposing candidate, Mr. Johanny Stanley Joseph, representing the Republic of Haiti, secured two votes. This overwhelming margin indicates a robust international consensus in favor of the continued administration of the WIPO Director General and WIPO Director Daren Tang.

Procedural Steps Toward Daren Tang Second Term WIPO Director General

The endorsement by the Coordination Committee represents the primary recommendation required for the election cycle. To finalize the Daren Tang second term WIPO Director General, an extraordinary session is scheduled for April 21, 2026. This convening will include:

1. The WIPO General Assembly.
2. The Paris Union Assembly.
3. The Berne Union Assembly.

Upon formal ratification by these governing bodies, the new six-year period is set to begin on October 1, 2026, and will conclude on September 30, 2032.

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Strategic Achievements of the WIPO Director General and the WIPO Director Daren Tang

Since assuming his post in October 2020, Mr. Tang has sought to transition the global IP framework from a technical legal niche into a functional tool for economic and social advancement. His administration has prioritized expanding access to Trademark and patent protection for a broader range of stakeholders. Specifically targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women innovators, and young entrepreneurs.

Key milestones of the first term include:

1. The successful conclusion of negotiations for two significant multilateral treaties in 2024: the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK) and the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (RDLT).
2. The expansion of the WIPO Academy, which has provided specialized training to over 600,000 participants globally to improve the technical understanding of IP rights.
3. The modernization of national IP infrastructures in developing territories, assisting local offices in becoming proactive drivers of innovation.
4. Maintaining a consistent financial surplus, ensuring the Organization possesses the liquidity necessary to fund extensive technical assistance initiatives.

Strengthening IP Protection and Addressing IP Litigation

A fundamental pillar of the proposed Daren Tang’s second term as WIPO Director General involves the ongoing optimization of international legal frameworks. Robust IP protection is a prerequisite for fostering high-level research and development. By enhancing the efficiency of international registration systems, such as the PCT for patent applications, the Madrid System for trademarks, and the Hague System for industrial designs, WIPO minimizes the procedural hurdles for global creators.

Additionally, the Organization continues to serve as the premier venue for addressing the complexities of IP litigation. As emerging technologies and generative artificial intelligence redefine the boundaries of authorship and invention, the necessity for harmonized legal standards grows. Mr. Tang has highlighted the utility of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center as a viable alternative to traditional IP litigation, offering specialized, cross-border dispute resolution services that are often more efficient than domestic court proceedings.

Vision for the Future Global IP Ecosystem

The nomination of WIPO Director General and WIPO Director Daren Tang ensures the continuity of the “Medium-Term Strategic Plan,” which aims to demystify the complexities of intellectual property for the general public. The objectives for the subsequent term focus on:

1. Reducing the innovation disparity between industrialized and emerging economies.
2. Formulating legal responses to Patent protection challenges posed by artificial intelligence and sustainable technologies.
3. Cultivating a global environment where IP rights act as a primary catalyst for capital investment and industrial growth.

The Government of Singapore, which submitted Mr. Tang’s candidacy, has reiterated its steadfast support for his leadership. As the international community moves toward the extraordinary session in April, this nomination reflects the progress achieved in positioning WIPO as a neutral, impact-oriented institution within the United Nations system.