Report on the 38th General Assembly of the IFIA
Official Report on the 38th General Assembly of the International Federation of Inventors Associations (IFIA) - Croatia, Zagreb
Date: October 17, 2025
Venue: National and University Library in Zagreb, Judita Hall – Croatia
The Thirty-eighth Session of the General Assembly of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) was successfully convened on October 17, 2025, at the National and University Library in Zagreb, Judita Hall, with the participation of representatives from 50 member countries.
Opening of the Session
The meeting commenced at 16:00 with a warm welcome address by IFIA President, Mr. Alireza Rastegar, who expressed his appreciation to all attending delegates for their continuous support and dedication to the global innovation movement.
Following his remarks, Mr. Matija Žugec, Secretary General of the Union of Croatian Innovators, delivered a welcoming message on behalf of the President of the Croatian Union of Innovators, extending the host’s greetings to the IFIA community.
Presentation of Member Activities
President Rastegar then invited representatives of member associations to briefly present their national activities and progress in the fields of invention and innovation.
The following delegates shared updates and insights on their organizations’ recent achievements and support programs for local inventors:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mr. Avdo Halilović – AIBIH
- Brazil: Dr. Marcelo Vivacqua – ABIPIR
- Canada: Mr. Babak Khodaparast – FICI
- China: Ms. Guo Yan – CAI
- Croatia: Mr. Leo Pincan – CUI
- Czech Republic: Mr. Lukas Zmeskal – UIR
- Egypt: Dr. Mahmoud Hafez – ECCIPP
- Germany: Mr. Winfried Sturm – DEV
- Iceland: Mrs. Elinora Inga Sigurdardottir – SFH
- India: Mr. Anand Kannan – IYF
- Kuwait: Dr. Yahya Abd-ALkhudhur Hasan Abdal – KSC
- Latvia: Mr. Aldis Eglajs – LIA
- Lebanon: Dr. Radwan Chouaib – NASR
- Palestine: Dr. Karim A. Tahboub – HCIE
- Poland: Prof. Dr. Michal Szota – SPWiR
- Romania: Dr. Andrei Victor Sandu – FIR
- Serbia: Dr. Željko Zdravković – BAI
- Thailand: Dr. Unchalee Sanguanpong – ATIP
- United States: Mr. Matthew Nuccio – UIA
Each representative provided a concise overview of their organization’s national initiatives, innovation policies, and inventor support frameworks.
Approval of IFIA 2025 Activity Reports
The IFIA Activities Report 2025 was presented by President Alireza Rastegar, offering a comprehensive overview of the Federation’s global initiatives and strategic progress during the year.
The report emphasized IFIA’s growing influence and collaboration with governments, innovation agencies, and universities across different regions. Highlights included:
- The successful organization and participation of IFIA in major international invention exhibitions and innovation summits.
- Strengthened cooperation with member organizations through new regional programs and virtual coordination initiatives.
- Expansion of IFIA’s educational and training platforms for young innovators and technology entrepreneurs.
- Enhanced visibility of inventors’ achievements through IFIA’s digital communication channels and publications.
- Increased engagement with global partners such as WIPO, UNIDO, and the European Union innovation networks.
President Rastegar also acknowledged the dedication of IFIA members in promoting invention and innovation in their respective countries, noting that 2025 marked a year of resilience, adaptation, and expansion for the global inventor community.
The report received strong commendation and unanimous approval from the Assembly, reflecting members’ shared confidence in IFIA’s vision and leadership.
Approval of IFIA 2025 Financial Report
Following the activity report, the IFIA Financial Report 2025 was presented, providing a transparent, detailed, and audited summary of IFIA’s financial performance throughout the fiscal year.
President Rastegar explained the Federation’s budget allocations, covering administrative operations, international event sponsorships, digital transformation initiatives, and member support programs. The report also highlighted IFIA’s commitment to financial integrity and accountability, ensuring that all expenditures directly contributed to the organization’s strategic objectives.
Key points included:
- Balanced income and expenditure reflecting sustainable financial management.
- Efficient use of membership fees to enhance global inventor services and event organization.
- Expansion of financial partnerships and sponsorship programs supporting innovation exhibitions.
- Investment in digital infrastructure and virtual event platforms for broader international participation.
The financial report was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Assembly, confirming members’ satisfaction with the Federation’s transparent management and sustainable financial practices.
Amendments to the IFIA Statutes
President Rastegar introduced a proposed amendment to Article 10 (Executive Committee) of the IFIA Statutes, aimed at facilitating the organization of virtual meetings for the Executive Committee.
The following new clause was proposed and approved by majority vote to be added under Article 10 / Executive Committee, while all other Articles remained unchanged:
Virtual Meetings
The Executive Committee may hold Virtual Meetings through electronic means upon the initiative of the President or with the consent of the majority of its members. Decisions made in such meetings shall have the same validity as those adopted in physical meetings, provided that the quorum requirements are met and votes are duly recorded in the Minutes approved by the President.
This amendment ensures greater flexibility and efficiency in the decision-making process, allowing IFIA to conduct official sessions remotely when necessary.
New Membership and Upgrades
The Assembly then proceeded to review the new membership application from the United Kingdom, which was approved by majority vote. The organization was accepted as a Candidate Member for one year, with the possibility of becoming a Full Member by the end of 2026 based on active participation and performance.
Requests for membership upgrades from India (Yenilik Foundation) and Qatar (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology / Studio 5) were also approved. Both organizations were elevated from Corresponding Members to Full Members of IFIA.
Election of the IFIA Executive Committee (2025–2027)
The Assembly conducted elections for the IFIA Executive Committee for the term 2025–2027. Ballots were distributed among attendees, and from 34 submitted nominations, 23 members were elected as follows:
- Australia – Dr. Mehdi Korki (AIAI)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Mr. Avdo Halilović (AIBIH)
- Brazil – Dr. Marcelo Vivacqua (ABIPIR)
- Canada – Mr. Babak Khodaparast (FICI)
- China – Ms. Guo Yan (CAI)
- Croatia – Mr. Leo Pincan (CUI)
- Czech Republic – Mr. Lukas Zmeskal (UIR)
- Egypt – Dr. Mahmoud Hafez (ECCIPP)
- Germany – Mr. Winfried Sturm (DEV)
- Iceland – Mrs. Elinora Inga Sigurdardottir (SFH)
- India – Mr. Anand Kannan (IYF)
- Iran – Mr. Hossein Vaezi Ashtiani (FIRI)
- Kuwait – Dr. Yahya Abd-ALkhudhur Hasan Abdal (KSC)
- Lebanon – Dr. Radwan Chouaib (NASR)
- Palestine – Dr. Karim A. Tahboub (HCIE)
- Philippines – Mr. Ronald P. Pagsanghan (FIS)
- Poland – Ms. Agnieszka Mikolajska (SPWiR)
- Qatar – Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) / Studio 5
- Romania – Dr. Andrei Victor Sandu (FIR)
- Serbia – Dr. Željko Zdravković (BAI)
- Switzerland – Ms. Caroline Simonet (Palexpo)
- Thailand – Dr. Unchalee Sanguanpong (ATIP)
- USA – Mr. Matthew Nuccio (UIA)
Review of Membership Fees
President Rastegar presented a proposal to restructure IFIA membership fees based on GDP indexes of member countries. The proposal was approved by the majority, establishing the following structure:
- Low GDP countries: USD 1,000 – 2,000
- Medium GDP countries: USD 2,000 – 5,000
- High GDP countries: USD 5,000 – 10,000
Review of the Saudi Arabia Invention Event Proposal
The Assembly discussed the proposal submitted by Bothat Holding Company (Saudi Arabia) for hosting a new invention event under IFIA’s patronage. Members conditionally approved the proposal, pending submission of the following prerequisites:
- Finalization of the event date and venue
- Preparation of an official event website with complete information
- Identification of local partners and hosting institutions
- Official approval and endorsement from the Saudi government, including the final budget and allocation plan
- Preparation of registration forms for participants
- Submission of the official event name, logo, medal design, and certificate templates
Upon submission and review of these requirements, the cooperation agreement will be reconsidered for final approval and IFIA support.
Review of the IFIA–BRICS Project: Committee Roadmap and Operational Framework
Following the discussion on the Saudi event, the Assembly reviewed the proposal presented by Dr. Liu, President of the BRICS Academy of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (Xiamen).
Dr. Liu delivered a comprehensive proposal outlining the organizational structure, objectives, and operational framework of the IFIA–BRICS Committee, including the selection process for committee members and the committee’s roadmap for promoting innovation and inventor cooperation among BRICS countries.
The proposal received majority approval, marking an important step toward strengthening IFIA’s collaboration with the BRICS innovation ecosystem.
Appointment of New IFIA Director
In recognition of his extensive experience and contributions to the field of medical innovation, Dr. Mahmoud Hafez (ECCIPP, Egypt) was appointed as Director of IFIA’s Medical and Pharmaceutical Innovations Section. His leadership is expected to strengthen IFIA’s engagement in healthcare-related innovations.
Future Meetings
The Assembly agreed to postpone the decision regarding the venue and date of the 2026 IFIA General Assembly and Executive Committee meetings to January 2026, when final proposals will be reviewed collectively.
Closing Remarks and Gala Dinner
President Rastegar expressed his gratitude to all participants for their constructive contributions and continued commitment to IFIA’s mission. The session concluded with an official group photograph, followed by a Gala Dinner organized by IFIA, where delegates enjoyed a pleasant evening of networking and celebration of global innovation.
