Tourism

The Ministry of Culture has organised an introductory workshop on the Geographical Indications (GI) system for national products, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The workshop forms part of the UAE’s broader efforts to safeguard cultural heritage while enhancing the economic value of national products through their registration under the approved Geographical Indications system. The initiative aims to provide legal protection for Emirati products, preserve their authenticity and strengthen their competitiveness in both local and international markets. Representatives from entities supporting artisans and entrepreneurs attended the session.

A Geographical Indication is a designation applied to products whose qualities, reputation or characteristics are intrinsically linked to their place of origin. The system serves as an important legal and economic tool for protecting the identity of local products while increasing their market value. In the UAE, registered examples include Hatta Honey, Al Dhafra Dabbas Dates, RAK Ceramics and Al Khoos palm-frond weaving.

H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, said the National Project for the Protection of Geographically Defined Products represents a major milestone in advancing a creative economy rooted in cultural identity. He noted that the initiative goes beyond product protection by establishing an integrated framework that highlights the unique characteristics of the UAE’s regions and supports artisans and creators through a comprehensive legislative and operational ecosystem.

He added that collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and WIPO reflects the UAE’s commitment to developing a leading international model for protecting cultural and intellectual assets. The initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of Emirati products, create new opportunities for creative industries and entrepreneurs, and position national products as globally recognised symbols of quality and heritage.

H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, said the Ministry is committed to increasing the added value of national Geographical Indications through the launch of the National Geographical Indication Registration System. He described the system as a significant advancement in the UAE’s intellectual property framework, offering comprehensive protection for products linked to their geographical origins while strengthening their presence in regional and international markets.

Dr. Al Muaini added that the workshop plays a key role in raising awareness of the importance of Geographical Indications and their ability to empower producers and artisans. It familiarises participants with registration procedures, protection requirements and the economic benefits of GI status in building competitive and sustainable value chains.

The workshop reviewed the project’s objectives and highlighted the role of Geographical Indications in positioning national products as cultural and economic assets. Discussions also covered global best practices, registration processes, protective legislation and successful international models that could be adapted within the UAE.

In May, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism launched the UAE’s first national Geographical Indications system for national products, designed to safeguard Emirati products distinguished by their unique geographical origins and strengthen the country’s intellectual property protection framework while expanding the global reach of Emirati industries.

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