H.E. Major General Dr. Abdul Quddas Al Obaidly Welcomes the IP Community to Dubai in 2026
While in Singapore for the 2023 Annual Meeting, and on behalf of the government and people of the UAE, H.E. Major General Dr. Abdul Quddous Al Obaidly, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association (EIPA) and Assistant Commander in Chief for Quality & Excellence & Pioneering Affairs, Dubai Police (UAE), extends a warm welcome to the global IP community ahead of the 2026 Annual Meeting, which will take place in Dubai, May 16–20, 2026. Below, he spoke briefly to the INTA Daily News.
The (Emirates Intellectual Property Association) EIPA and INTA have signed a cooperation agreement (CoA). How do you see this agreement and strengthening of ties between our organizations benefiting brand owners in the UAE and region?
The EIPA is a strong believer in cooperation and working with the private sector. This CoA is a reflection of the already existing work being done together. We anticipate that work to grow even more in the coming years, especially leading up to the 2026 Annual Meeting in Dubai. Our cooperation will take the form of awareness, education, and advocating IP rights in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the region.
How does the EIPA work to protect and advance IP in the UAE?
As a not-for-profit entity, we are a bridge between the private and public sectors. We organize and run several IP education and awareness sessions and work closely with the government on their efforts to fight IP crime. The UAE has identified innovation as part of its growth strategy for the coming years and so a focus on IP protection is the natural consequence of that.
What is your message to the global IP community ahead of the 2026 Annual Meeting in Dubai, the first for INTA Annual Meeting in the Middle East?
We look forward to welcoming you all to Dubai. Get ready for an amazing experience. Dubai is one of the most accessible cities in the world. It has so much to offer for everyone, wherever you come from. We are thrilled that the Annual Meeting is coming to the region. Come and discover the wonders of Dubai!
