GAVA Executive Committee Meets with WIPO to Strengthen Cooperation on Actors’ Rights

The Executive Committee of GAVA, along with its Director, recently held a high-level meeting at WIPO to explore areas of collaboration in advancing the rights of audiovisual performers and their collective management organizations (CMOs). The discussion focused on strategies to promote and strengthen performers’ rights, particularly in Africa, South-East Asia, and the Middle East, where significant challenges remain.

Senior representatives of WIPO’s Regional and National Development Sector expressed interest in GAVA’s mission to further enhance the protection of audiovisual performers and ensure fair remuneration for the use of their performances. They emphasized the role of intellectual property in boosting the creative economy and sustainable development, stressing the importance for strong cooperation and partnerships. GAVA explained the need to bring together all CMOs representing audiovisual performers to present a unified voice in policy and legislative discussions – which is where GAVA has successfully filled the gap.

WIPO representatives expressed their appreciation for GAVA’s ongoing initiatives to support performers and its commitment to future collaboration. The participants in the meeting agreed to work closely on joint initiatives, capacity-building efforts, and awareness raising on performers’ rights at national, regional, and international levels.

This meeting marks a significant step in strengthening GAVA’s partnership with WIPO and ensuring that audiovisual performers worldwide receive the recognition and protection they deserve. GAVA looks forward to continued cooperation with WIPO on future initiatives, seminars, and policy discussions aimed at fostering a more equitable and sustainable audiovisual sector.