Mali, backed by Burkina Faso and Niger has challenged the review of a report on Ukraine during the assemblies of the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), held from July 7 to 15 in Geneva.
The three countries criticized what they described as the introduction of political considerations into an organisation with a primarily technical mandate.
Listed under item 18 of the WIPO Assemblies’ agenda, the report, prepared by the organisation’s secretariat, came under scrutiny from the three member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The document outlines activities carried out between July 2025 and June 2026 to support Ukraine’s innovation, creativity and intellectual property sectors.
The report details more than 30 consultations held with Ukrainian institutions and highlights measures implemented to support the country’s national intellectual property strategy, digitisation of services, capacity building for sector stakeholders, as well as assistance to creators, businesses, universities and specialised courts.
Speaking on behalf of its delegation, Mali argued that the review of the report went beyond WIPO’s technical mandate and could undermine the principles of neutrality, impartiality and specialisation that govern multilateral institutions. Burkina Faso and Niger supported Mali’s position, calling on WIPO to remain focused on its statutory missions.
The move comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the AES member states and Ukraine following clashes in Tinzaouatène, northern Mali, in July 2024. After statements by a Ukrainian military intelligence official were interpreted by Bamako as an admission of Kyiv’s involvement alongside armed groups operating in northern Mali, the Malian government severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine on August 4, 2024.
Niger followed suit two days later, while Burkina Faso, without announcing an official diplomatic break, joined the two other countries in a letter sent on August 19, 2024, to the United Nations Security Council accusing Ukraine of supporting armed groups in the Sahel. Kyiv has consistently rejected the allegations, stating that there is no evidence proving any involvement in the events.
The summary report released at the conclusion of the WIPO assemblies mentioned the discussions held on the issue but did not refer to any vote. A full record of the debates and statements made by the various delegations is expected to be released in August.
MD/te/Sf/lb/as/APA