The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will present the WIPO Global Leaders Award to His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 14 January 2009 in recognition of his contributions to intellectual property, both as an inventor and an active proponent of intellectual property as a tool for development.
On 14 January 2009, His Majesty will grant an audience to Dr. Francis Gurry, Director-General of WIPO and his delegation for the presentation of the Global Leaders Award at Piam Suka Royal Residence, Klai Kangwon Palace, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Accompanying the WIPO delegation will be Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Pornthiva Nakasai, Minister of Commerce, Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Alongkorn Ponlaboot, Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Puangrat Asavapisit, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property.
The Global Leaders Award will see His Majesty the King as its first recipient, in honour of his outstanding contributions to the cause of intellectual property to promote development both at home and abroad.
Over the years, His Majesty has initiated various projects which have spurred innovation and invention for the benefit of local communities and to improve the lives of the Thai people. Among his most well-known inventions are the Chaipattana aerator, for which he won WIPO’s Best Inventor Award in 2001, and his rainmaking techniques.
His Majesty has over 20 patents and 19 trademarks to his name. His first patent was registered in 1993 for a technology to alleviate water shortages during the dry season.
His Majesty is also known as an artist who has created over 1,000 works, including paintings, photographs and musical and literary works. The presentation of the WIPO Global Leaders Award therefore honours His Majesty the King’s ingenuity and will do much to inspire the Thai people to follow his footsteps in promoting and protecting intellectual property.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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