AKP Phnom Penh, April 28, 2026 --

Cambodia celebrated World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2026 under the theme “IP and Sports” at the Ministry of Commerce, bringing together senior government leaders, development partners, and international organisations.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, underscored the growing importance of intellectual property in driving innovation across sectors, including sports.

“Intellectual property is not only a legal concept, but a fundamental pillar that supports the sports sector—protecting innovation, encouraging investment, and ensuring that sports continue to deliver benefits to society,” he said.

Intellectual property plays a critical role in supporting the ecosystem of modern sports—from broadcasting rights and digital content production to the protection of trademarks, industrial designs, and patents.

Minister Vanndy stressed that strengthening these systems is essential to enabling businesses and innovators to compete in both domestic and global markets.

He also cautioned that, “The rapid expansion of the digital economy presents both opportunities and challenges, including piracy, counterfeit goods, and unauthorized use of protected content, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement and greater public awareness.”

Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its intellectual property system through digitalization and enhanced cooperation at both the national and international levels, positioning IP as a key enabler of innovation-driven growth.

World IP Day, observed annually on April 26, promotes awareness of how intellectual property rights support creativity and innovation.

AKP-MISTI