As of today 1 October 2020, Mr Daren Tang officially assumes his functions as WIPO new Director General, starting his six-year mandate at the helm of the Organization.

Mr Tang is a graduate of the National University of Singapore (Bachelor of Law, Honors) and the Georgetown University Law Center (Master of Laws, Distinction). Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Before joining IPOS, Mr Tang held different legal positions within the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore. From May 2017 until his appointment as Director General, Mr Tang also presided as Chair of WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR).

Following his appointment by consensus of the WIPO member states on 8 May 2020, Mr Tang laid out his vision and priorities for the Organization, saying that WIPO work will be focused on three main themes: inclusiveness, balance, and future-orientation.

To watch Mr Tang acceptance speech video, please click here.

Mr Daren Tang is the fifth Director General of WIPO, following Mr Francis Gurry of Australia (2008-2020), Mr Kamil Idris of Sudan (1997-2008), Mr Arpad Bogsch of the United States (1973-1997) and Mr Georg Bodenhausen of the Netherlands (1970-1973).

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ECTA wishes Mr Daren Tang every success in his new position and looks forward to continuing the very fruitful and close relationship between ECTA and WIPO in the years to come.