390.  The United Kingdom is pleased to co-sponsor this agenda item and would like to thank the other co-sponsors, in particular the United States, for bringing forward this paper on a topic important to global research, development, and innovation. We note with interest the informative statements provided by Members so far. 391.  We live in an interconnected world, where the challenges we face are complex and crosscutting both in discipline and territory. To create the free, secure, prosperous world we want to live in, we cannot act alone. It is essential that we work with international partners to support shared growth, address global challenges, and build momentum behind a digital and technological future. 392.  The UK Innovation Strategy²³, published in July 2021, is our long-term plan to create innovation-led growth and in March 2023, we launched our Science and Technology Framework²⁴, setting out how our innovation and science policy will harness innovation to tackle some of our nation's most pressing challenges. Alongside this, our first International Technology Strategy²⁵ sets out the UK's approach for technology leadership on the global stage, defining four principles of being open, responsible, secure, and resilient. These principles will guide our international engagement, the partnerships we build and the actions we take to drive innovation to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges. 393.  IP is integral to research, development, and innovation and an effective, robust IP framework supports effective international collaboration. The research, development and innovation landscape within the United Kingdom is highly diverse. We recognize that effective and appropriate international collaboration is vital to ensure that the extraordinary potential of UK research and innovation can be realized for social and economic benefit, to enrich and improve the lives of people in the United Kingdom and around the world. An IP system that is understood, accessed, and used effectively is fundamental in achieving these ambitions. 394.  Working collaboratively with international partners can bring many benefits including diversity of thought, experience, and approach, and the sharing of knowledge and skills. In addition, access to wider resources, such as specialist equipment in key technology areas and at different stages of a research project, can help to reduce time and cost. 395.  The United Kingdom is involved in a wide variety of international research collaborations between public institutions and private entities and across a mixture of both. Collaborations that go beyond traditional partners or models of engagement can support diversification and increase the resilience of supply chains. 396.  The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office supports UK research communities to maximize the positive impacts from the IP in their research both nationally and internationally. For example, we provide guidance on effective management of IP for senior leaders and technology transfer professionals across the business and research sectors. The UK government also provides guidance to research institutions to increase confidence in international collaborations and support informed decision making around potential risks linked to international research. 397.  When a UK entity is thinking about collaborating overseas either with a university, research institute or business, it is vital they understand the UK and other in-country laws and regulations that apply. This includes the arrangements for existing IP and any IP arising from the collaboration, the importance of national security, who owns and commercializes IP arising from the collaboration, and how to manage the IP portfolio and share information. It is important to be aware of critical differences in national laws relating to IP, for example, how to take IP into and out of different territories. It is vital therefore collaborating parties have an IP strategy and actively manage the IP portfolio, IP rights, and any agreements. 398.  To help companies and researchers collaborate, export, and invest overseas, the UK Intellectual Property Office has developed an International IP Service. This provides guides to the IP frameworks of different countries to help UK researchers and businesses make informed decisions about navigating the international IP environment, so that they can overcome common pitfalls and challenges. The International IP Service also provides guidance on how to apply for IP protection overseas either on a country-by-country basis or via international routes that allow for protection in multiple countries through a single application. 399.  The UK also has a network of international IP attaches based overseas covering Southeast Asia, China, Latin America, North America, Gulf States, and India. This network of IP experts around the world are an invaluable resource providing guidance and support to entities seeking to collaborate in those markets. Our work, particularly with SMEs, means we understand how vital it is to protect IP assets before entering new overseas markets. We recognize that getting this information to researchers and businesses at the right time is important to their success. 400.  An effective global IP system is fundamental in driving innovation and investment, supporting those who research, create, collaborate, and invent. We must ensure that the IP framework supports international collaboration and can embrace the challenges of the future, acting as a catalyst for creativity and innovation.