Recently, the 86th session of the WIPO Coordination Committee released a document titled “Appointment of Deputy Directors General and Assistant Directors General.” The document indicates that Shen Changyu, Director General of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, has been nominated as a candidate for WIPO Deputy Director General, responsible for the Brands and Designs Division.

On April 23, 2026, WIPO Director General Deng Hongsen notified member states that the terms of the current Deputy Directors General and Assistant Directors General would expire on September 30, 2026, and that he intended to seek the Coordination Committee’s approval for the appointment of a new group of senior managers. The Director General also invited governments to submit nominations by May 22 and opened a “Direct Expression of Interest” channel on the WIPO website to accept direct applications from individuals.

A total of 44 applications were received for this selection process, and the Director General ultimately nominated four candidates for Deputy Director General and four candidates for Assistant Director General. The departmental assignments for the Deputy Director General candidates are as follows:

Shen Changyu (China): Brands and Design Division, overseeing the Madrid System, the Hague System, the Lisbon System, and others;

Pascal Four (France): Copyright, Creative Economy, and Intellectual Property Governance Division;

Laura Peter (United States): Patents and Technology Division;

Mzukisi Kobo (South Africa): Regional and National Development Division.

These nominations must still be reviewed and approved by the WIPO Coordination Committee, followed by procedural approval by the General Assembly of Member States. If approved, the nominees will officially assume their duties on October 1, 2026, for a six-year term ending on September 30, 2032.

It is worth noting that the current Deputy Director General of WIPO’s Brand and Design Division, Wang Binying, is also from China. If Shen Changyu successfully assumes this position, it will mean that China will continue to maintain a voice in this key division. IP Finance will continue to monitor further developments.

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