Dr. Omam Esther, Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon and Global Peace Champion, has called for stronger intellectual property systems that recognize and protect innovations developed by people living in conflict-affected communities.
She made the call while speaking at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) NGO Stakeholder Dialogue held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Drawing from her experience in humanitarian work and peacebuilding, Dr. Omam said many people, especially women and young people living in fragile communities, continue to develop practical solutions to everyday challenges despite the difficult conditions they face. However, she noted that many of these innovations are never formally recognized or protected, leaving their creators unable to benefit from their ideas.
She stressed that protecting community-based innovations is important for promoting inclusion, building resilience and supporting sustainable development. According to her, innovators should be encouraged and rewarded for creating solutions that improve lives, even in times of conflict.
Her remarks received a positive response from WIPO Director General Daren Tang, who highlighted the organization's efforts to support grassroots innovators through training, mentoring and capacity-building programmes. He cited initiatives in Cameroon and Zimbabwe that have helped women entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, build their brands and better protect their intellectual property. He also revealed that more than 200,000 people have benefited from WIPO's capacity-building programmes over the past six years.
On the sidelines of the dialogue, Dr. Omam Esther was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Egyptian Council for Innovation, Creativity and Protection of Information (ECCIPP). The award recognizes her outstanding contribution to promoting innovation, empowering women through sustainable entrepreneurship and advancing social cohesion.
Speaking after receiving the award, Dr. Omam said the dialogue highlighted the need for stronger partnerships to ensure that innovators in conflict-affected communities can protect their ideas, benefit from their creativity and contribute to peace and development.
She concluded by saying that innovation exists even in the most difficult environments and that people who create solutions deserve recognition, protection and the opportunity to benefit from their work.
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