In a remarkable initiative that reinforces the position of Dubai as the main business hub in the region and more and more involved in protecting intellectual property rights, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Mr Michel Danet, announced that Dubai would host the Fourth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy, 3-5 February 2008.

This important Fourth Global Congress is being hosted by the WCO and Dubai Customs. Along with the WCO, the Congress is convened by Interpol, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) through its BASCAP initiative, the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the International Security Management Association (ISMA).

The announcement was made during a meeting of the Congress Steering Group which met at Dubai Customs headquarters earlier this year. In making the announcement, the WCO Secretary General welcomed the support of Dubai Customs and stated that these Global Congresses (Brussels, Belgium 2004; Lyon, France 2005; and, Geneva Switzerland 2007) have become the premier international forum for shaping practical strategies to combat counterfeiting and piracy and that this was the first time that the Global Congress would be held outside Europe.

Mr. Danet said "The Congresses were aimed at promoting best practices and the sharing of information among and between enforcement agencies, the judiciary, policy makers and the private sector". He added that "The Fourth Global Congress is expected to identify concrete solutions to the global problems generated by the growth in counterfeiting and piracy and to further raise awareness of the serious impact this illegal trade has on the health and safety of consumers". He also stressed that "organised crime is heavily involved in this underground and lethal economy that could only be fought collectively and through extensive international cooperation".