by Orlando Romain, Ambassador/Advisor to the Government of Grenada, Creative and Digital Economy
Over the past few years, I’ve had the honour of contributing to Grenada’s bold shift toward a more creative, innovative, and digitally empowered future.
That journey reached a new milestone this July at the 2025 World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) General Assembly, where I had the privilege of attending as part of Grenada’s official delegation.
The event, held from 8–17 July in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together global leaders to chart the future of innovation, creativity, and intellectual property (IP). Grenada stood out, not just by participating, but by leading.
Our delegation was headed by the Honourable Claudette Joseph, Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs, Labour, and Consumer Affairs. Her presence was both commanding and visionary. During a featured session titled “The Strategic Importance of IP for Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” she positioned Grenada at the centre of a crucial global conversation about how small nations can leverage IP as a catalyst for sustainable growth.
Grenada’s presence at the Assembly reflected the work of a dedicated, cross-sector team — led by Robert Branch of the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO), in collaboration with the Grenada Office of Creative Affairs. Together, they are driving the country’s IP agenda, with a strong focus on the creative economy. I was honoured to support the delegation’s engagement on how intellectual property can empower creatives — musicians, designers, filmmakers, writers, and digital entrepreneurs — through stronger protections and improved access to global markets. These effort forms part of a broader national push to position IP not merely as a legal safeguard, but as a powerful engine of economic development.
One of the most powerful moments came on 14 July, when Grenadian soca artist V’ghn was formally presented with his certificate of appointment as WIPO’s first-ever Caribbean Youth Intellectual Property Ambassador. While the appointment had been announced in April, this formal recognition in Geneva marked a historic moment for Caribbean creativity and for Grenada.
That evening, V’ghn performed at the WIPO Spotlight Reception, representing our country with artistry and pride, before a global audience. As Youth IP Ambassador, he will champion IP education among youth, promote creative entrepreneurship, and advocate for the protection of cultural heritage. His appointment is not just a personal milestone — it’s a moment of regional significance.
Beyond our attendance at this year’s assembly, what truly places Grenada in the IP spotlight are the practical steps we are taking to integrate IP into our national development strategy. It’s about real action that is already reshaping how our economy functions and how our people engage with it.
One of the most strategic steps currently underway is Grenada’s move toward accession to the Madrid Protocol — an international treaty that allows businesses to register trademarks in over 100 countries through a single application. Once finalised, this will provide Grenadian entrepreneurs, exporters, and creatives with access to global brand protection while significantly reducing administrative hurdles — marking a major advance in our capacity to compete on the international stage.
We’re also making significant headway in securing Geographical Indication (GI) status for 2 of our most iconic exports — nutmeg and cocoa.
GI protection ensures that when someone buys Grenadian nutmeg or cocoa, they are choosing a product with authenticity, provenance, and purpose. The benefits to producers are real.
- Premium pricing and market differentiation in global markets where origin and quality matter
- Stronger collaboration and quality control, leading to better consistency and productivity
- New economic opportunities through agro-tourism, artisanal production, and heritage-based entrepreneurship
Our pursuit of GI status for our nutmeg and cocoa is about unlocking value throughout the production chain and building wealth where it matters most — with the people who cultivate, craft, and carry our national story.
Grenada’s embrace of intellectual property is about more than laws and treaties. It’s about ownership — of our ideas, our identity, and our economic future. Grenada is proving that even small nations can lead with bold ideas and strategic intent. By placing intellectual property at the heart of our development agenda, we are not only protecting what is ours — we are building a future where our people, our culture, and our creativity can thrive on their own terms.
Very interesting to know that Grenada a small island state can place themselves in such remarkable position for future generations.