Korea International Women’s Invention Exposition 2023 – Report
KIWIE IS A PLATFORM THAT CELEBRATES AND FOSTERS THE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION OF WOMEN WORLDWIDE
From July 20 to July 23, the 16th Korea International Women’s Invention Exposition (KIWIE) took place at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Goyang, South Korea. The prestigious event, organized by the Korea Women Inventors Association (KWIA) with the cooperation of KIPO, aimed to promote and recognize the outstanding contributions of women inventors worldwide. With the participation of 375 inventors from 19 countries, including Poland, Iran, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Tajikistan, Indonesia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka, KIWIE has once again proven to be a melting pot of creativity and innovation.
The KIWIE 2023 edition sought to raise awareness about women’s invention activities, facilitate knowledge and idea exchange among female inventors from diverse backgrounds, and establish a robust international network. The expo provided a platform for women inventors to showcase their exceptional inventions and gain recognition on a global stage.
The event garnered significant support from various governmental ministries, international organizations, and regional authorities, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), International Federation of Inventors’ Association (IFIA), Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Korea Patent Attorneys Association, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korea International Trade Association, Korea Invention Promotion Association, Korea Intellectual Property Strategy Agency, and Korea Institute of Patent Information.
As part of the educational program during the expo, a special session titled “IP Wave for Creative Woman Leaders 2023” was held on July 21. This program aimed to provide training opportunities in the field of intellectual property (IP) and innovation for women inventors, leveraging the expertise and knowledge of Korea. Renowned instructors from WIPO and South Korea conducted comprehensive sessions on various topics, including global industrial market trends and the importance of IP, global IP trends, IP support policies in WIPO, exploring ways of entering global markets, and success stories of women leaders in IP.
KIWIE’s dedication to empowering women in the field of invention and innovation has garnered global recognition, making it an indispensable event for female inventors seeking to make a lasting impact in their respective industries. The expo serves as a testament to the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in the world of inventions, and it remains committed to inspiring the next generation of creative minds and inventors.
At the cultural dinner ceremony, Mr. Masoud Shafaghi, the Strategic Planning & Executive Office Manager at the International Federation Of Inventors’ Associations-IFIA, presented the commemorative trophy of IFIA’s 55th-anniversary celebration to Mrs. Soon Sun Kim, the President of KIWA.
As the 16th edition ended, KIWIE organizers and participants expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude for the successful event, looking forward to future editions that will continue to celebrate the ingenuity and accomplishments of women inventors worldwide.