The wind of a World Congress passed through Istanbul – 2023 AIPPI World Congress

Dear Members,

When Istanbul was elected in 2014 by the AIPPI ExCo with a majority vote of 92 % to host the AIPPI World Congress in 2019, we embarked on an exciting journey. The subsequent five-year preparation plan and working program, however, faced challenges due to unforeseen events in our country and the global pandemic. Yet, in 2022, another development occurred making us realize the importance of living in this region and the significant competence gained from our history. The China National Group, scheduled to host the World Congress in 2023 according to the international congress calendar, requested a change of location to adapt to the post-pandemic situation. After deliberations supported by the International Bureau with our Association’s Board of Directors, we swiftly adapted to the evolving circumstances, leading to the decision to host the 2023 World Congress in Istanbul. Finally, the eagerly awaited AIPPI 2023 World Congress, a source of pride for AIPPI Türkiye, took place in Istanbul from October 22 to 25.

This congress brought together over 2000 experts from around 70 countries in the field of intellectual property, providing a platform for discussing current developments in the industry. In addition to the resolutions, which are remarkably valuable products of the Association’s collaborative and well-organized structure, participants exchanged knowledge and insights through high-quality presentations and interactive, in-depth sessions. Beyond professional development, the congress, blending seamlessly with Türkiye’s rich cultural fabric, facilitated high levels of social and cultural interactions, offering an unforgettable experience. The interactions reinforced that the congress was not merely a professional meeting but a cross-cultural dialogue platform.

Another significant aspect of the AIPPI 2023 World Congress was its alignment with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye, the most outstanding achievement and legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. For us, it was a milestone celebrated with pride and a meaningful historical coincidence.

Our National Group, established in 2007 and considered relatively young compared to many national groups, rapidly grew within the AIPPI International Organization, demonstrating success with its active work and contributions from skilled members. In this year’s World Congress, our member Nazlı Korkut, a founding member and former president who served in the AIPPI International Bureau for six years, was appointed as the General Secretary for a two-year term, bringing pride to AIPPI Türkiye. Many of our members also actively participated and continue to participate in almost all committees. We express our thanks to all of them for successfully representing our national group on the international stage.

Hosting the AIPPI World Congress, initially seemed like a dream for us, became a source of justified pride for all of us.

In my 27-year professional career, I can say that I experienced one of the processes that filled me with great excitement and pride. Being selected to deliver the Opening Speech of the AIPPI 2023 World Congress and moderating the Opening Ceremony was meaningful and honorable for me. The Sufi whirling dervish performance and Anatolian Fire show that marked the night particularly enchanted foreign participants.

In the days following the congress, the Cultural Night at the Basilica Cistern showcased tastes from Turkish cuisine and examples of local crafts in a magical atmosphere. The “Women in AIPPI” event concluded with a surprise along the Bosphorus Tour.

On the final night at the Gala Dinner, under the theme of the “Ottoman Empire,” the delicious dishes of Turkish cuisine were served in an atmosphere featuring three-dimensional digital visuals of Ottoman art pieces. Guests experienced unforgettable moments accompanied by Turkish classical and modern music and dance performances. The congress flag was handed over to China, where the 2024 World Congress will take place.

After the congress, it seems that not only our CAC (Congress Advisory Committee) team but also all members of the Turkish National Group could not escape the influence of this enchanting atmosphere. During and post-congress, our national group received numerous congratulations and thank-you messages from international members and governing bodies, highlighting the significance of the success.

First and foremost, I extend my gratitude to AIPPI Türkiye for the honor of chairing of the Congress Advisory Committee. In the preparation process of such a large and important Congress, in such a short time period, my CAC team and I took on serious responsibilities, worked hard, handled every detail individually, and made great efforts for the success of the Congress. Special thanks to the dedicated CAC team, Rıza Ferhan Çağırgan, İrem Çağlar Hamamcıoğlu, Mine Güner, Hakan Pehlivan, and Irmak Yalçıner Öktem, Melis Abacıoğlu, and Halise Atabay from the Board of Directors, and especially to Nazlı Korkut, who supported us with her mentorship during this process.

In the congress program, we saw many colleagues from our group serving as panellists, moderators, spokespeople for the study questions, and committee members. By successfully fulfilling their duties, they contributed to placing our association as a reference in the national and international intellectual property ecosystem since its establishment within AIPPI. We had the opportunity to showcase our association’s solid, voluntary, diligent structure, which contributes to developing the country’s intellectual property system, to international participating public institutions and non-governmental organizations, primarily the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. We wish their successes to continue to grow. Knowing the importance of financial support in realizing this congress and the difference it would make, I sincerely thank all firms and companies that shared the sponsorship burden. Also, I would like to individually thank all association members who naturally demonstrated the characteristic approach of “Turkish hospitality,” one of our most valuable characteristics, to members from seventy countries, leaving their mark on the congress. If congress had a completely different atmosphere, I think one of the most important reasons for this was our responsible and boundless, hospitable attitude.

I express my gratitude to the dozens in our profession who have played a crucial role in our association’s establishment and solid progress as a national group, bringing us together, actively working for our advancement, and willingly passing on the torch when the time comes. I extend my thanks to the first president of our association, Aydın Deriş, as well as Kazım Dündar and Kaan Dericioğlu, for their trust in us. Additionally, I would like to warmly greet all our members who have volunteered their time, contributed their efforts in past Boards of Directors and Working Committees, and supported the institutional development of the association, even if not mentioned individually.

Before concluding my remarks here, I would like to fondly remember our President, colleague, and dear friend, Sertaç Köksaldı, who made significant contributions to our Association over the years through his work and vision in the field of Intellectual Property. Serving as the President of AIPPI Türkiye in 2018, during his term, we eagerly started and collaborated on the preparations for the World Congress, which was planned to take place in Istanbul. His untimely and premature loss deeply saddened us. I remember Sertaç Köksaldı with love and longing.

The meaningful imprint left behind by the AIPPI 2023 World Congress will not only focus on legal and intellectual property developments but will also serve as an inspiration on how people can achieve great success through collaboration, solidarity, and determination. I believe that future congresses will take this success story as an example and further advance it, bringing new horizons to the world of intellectual property.