Opening Remarks by SMS Murali Pillai SC at the 79th Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation in Singapore

24 August 2026 Posted in Speeches

I. Opening

1.                  Vice Minister Jung, Excellencies, ASEAN Heads, colleagues of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation, or AWGIPC, distinguished guests, dialogue partners, ladies and gentlemen, a very good morning, and a warm welcome to Singapore. We are honoured to host the 79th AWGIPC meeting.

25th Anniversary

2.                  2026 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, or IPOS, which is a fitting moment to reflect on ASEAN’s IP journey and to see where we might want to go from here. It is, more than anything, a journey of the power of ideas.  

II. WORLD IN FLUX – Why this Room Matters More Than Ever

Rapidly Changing Landscape

3.                  Ideas today matter more than ever because we are at a time of foment. A time when geopolitical tensions are high, when institutions are strained, when old patterns of trade are lost, and new ways of creating value and wealth are born.

4.                  Ideas are at the heart of how human beings progress, how we create value, how we resolve problems, and how we reach ever higher, into our collective ambitions, to be better in the future than we were in the past.

5.                  In this room, it takes the form of a specific mission – how we innovate, create, commercialise and protect intellectual property or IP.

6.                  Ideas are invisible and straddle across borders. The rise of the intangible economy is making it more important than ever for us to respond and act, not just as individual states or communities, but in partnership as a region.  

The Intangible Economy

7.                  The global economy is increasingly driven by intangible assets or IA.  In 2025, intangible assets were valued at almost USD100 trillion and this accounted for almost two-thirds of global GDP.

8.                  Global investment is steadily shifting from physical towards IA. Investments in IA have grown more than three times faster than tangible assets, exceeding USD 10 trillion in 2025.

9.                  IP is no longer just a legal or technical matter. It is increasingly central to how businesses grow, compete, and create value.

ASEAN’s IP Opportunity

10.             ASEAN’s rising IP filing numbers reflect a region with growing innovation activity. Between 2015 and 2024, ASEAN patent filings grew by an annual average of 2.3%, industrial designs filings by 5%, and trade mark filings by 7.6%.

11.             Our potential is therefore vast. ASEAN is set to become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2030. Realising this potential, however, will not be easy. In a more contested international environment, smaller economies will find it difficult to navigate alone.

12.             A united ASEAN is better able to, engage major powers from a position of confidence, preserve ASEAN centrality, and safeguard our collective strategic autonomy – including in the governance of IP and the intangible economy.

13.             Our mission therefore is not about securing a fleeting business advantage or engaging in commercial shadowboxing. ASEAN cooperation in IP bends to larger considerations which are critical to unlocking the region’s potential and to improving the lives of our countrymen and women.

14.             The AWGIPC therefore has an important role in shaping ASEAN’s IP future.

III. ASEAN’S IP FUTURE – Connected, Committed and Impactful

15.             A strong ASEAN IP ecosystem, in my view, must be built on three pillars — Connections, Commitment, and Impact.

(1st pillar) Connections: Converging Systems and Deepening Partnership

16.             A strong ASEAN IP ecosystem requires deep connections – both within ASEAN, and between ASEAN and the global IP system. Our integration and shared identity ensure greater predictability and give greater confidence to businesses and investors in the region. At the same time, our IP ecosystems must be anchored in strong partnerships, including with ASEAN’s dialogue and external partners. 

17.             Together, shared internal norms and strong external partnerships help us to engage major powers from a position of unity and strength. In this way, we build a stronger ASEAN IP ecosystem, committed to a shared prosperity.

(2nd pillar) Commitment: Ensuring We Move Together 

18.             This brings me to the second pillar on commitment. A strong regional IP ecosystem must include a willingness to be committed to one another, to ensure that every Member State has the tools, the knowledge and the support to participate, to grow, and to contribute. This commitment means that we care for the larger regional interest, and for the interest of each member.  

19.             Together, our deep connection and commitment to each other will create the conditions for something greater – an IP ecosystem that delivers real, tangible outcomes. This is the third pillar – a strong ASEAN IP ecosystem must be impactful.

(3rd pillar) Impact: Delivering for Innovators, Creators and Entrepreneurs

20.             Ultimately, we want to achieve the larger goal of better lives for all communities. Real benefits must be felt by people across the region. When value is created by entrepreneurs and innovators, the whole community including creators, workers and their families benefit.

21.             These are not aspirations for the distant future. We already have a shared blueprint that brings them to life – the ASEAN IP Rights Action Plan 2026–2030.

ASEAN IP Rights Action Plan 2026–2030 – Our Shared Blueprint

22.             The Action Plan reflects the collective efforts and shared commitment of all ASEAN Member States and partners.

23.             It provides a common platform for us to work on specific strategic initiatives that would strengthen our community, and this includes:

a.      developing and aligning our ASEAN IP systems more closely with international IP standards,

b.      advancing the convergence of IP regulatory frameworks and capacities within ASEAN; and

c.      enhancing our capacity to support and incentivise IA/IP asset generation and commercialisation.

24.             It builds on nearly three decades of proven AWGIPC delivery.

25.             The Action Plan gives us the blueprint. Now is the time to forge the joint ambition and resolve that will deliver on this plan.

IV. SINGAPORE’S COMMITMENT – As Incoming ASEAN Chair

ASEAN Chairmanship 2027

26.             Singapore approaches ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027 with a sense of anticipation and purpose. We will work with all partners to advance our shared vision. We will strive to deepen connections and to bring about real impact through a strong IP ecosystem. Our hope is to build bridges, our promise is to be a steadfast partner.

Singapore as Bridge Builder

27.             Singapore pledges to serve as a trusted, neutral convening platform, underwritten by our firm belief that small states can play a constructive role as bridge builders. As an example, we point to Singapore’s role in strengthening ASEAN IP cooperation as Chair of ASEAN Patent and the Digital Transformation Task Forces.

28.             Singapore’s commitment to ASEAN IP cooperation is a matter of principle, underwritten by our belief in the vital role of small states, and closely aligned with our own IP Strategy – Singapore IP Strategy 2030, or SIPS 2030 in short.

Singapore IP Strategy 2030 – Singapore’s Contribution to Regional Ecosystem

29.             SIPS 2030 is about connectivity, including strengthening links within ASEAN and beyond, so that IP and innovation can move more easily across borders, for ASEAN enterprises and innovators to be better connected to global markets, partners and opportunities. Here, I highlight two initiatives:

a.      First, the IP for Growth Awards – a regional platform recognising enterprises in ASEAN that harness IA and IP to drive growth. Tomorrow, we will announce the winners of the inaugural IP for Growth Awards at the IP Week Welcome Reception.

b.      Second, the Intangible Asset Valuation Guidelines, which we will be launching at IP Week on Wednesday. These guidelines are a tool to support IA and IP commercialisation. As co-champion of the ASEAN IP Valuation Framework, we see these guidelines as Singapore's contribution to a larger regional effort making it easy for businesses to value, use and finance their intangible assets across borders.

V. CLOSING

30.             Ladies and Gentlemen, in a world now of foment, ideas can be a force for good, as well as for malice unfortunately. If we agree that we work for the good, let us then pledge to build a connected, committed and impactful ASEAN IP ecosystem together.

31.             The work we do today makes a big difference to innovators, creators, businesses and to our economic prosperity, but it goes beyond the markets. If we regulate IP well, we have the chance of improving the lives of citizens of all our countries across ASEAN.

32.             Therefore, in the days ahead, I wish you well in your meetings and I wish you fruitful engagements with fellow members. Thank you very much.

Last updated on 24 August 2026