UNILORIN joins WIPO GREEN global network
By Mustafa Abubakar
The University of Ilorin has been admitted into the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) GREEN global network, a flagship sustainability initiative, which connects over 166 partners worldwide in advancing green innovation, climate action, and environmentally sustainable technologies.
The admission of the University into the WIPO GREEN network was communicated in a letter dated April 17, 2026, addressed to Prof. Jamiu Adetayo Adeniran of the University, by Mr Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector of WIPO, a copy of which was made available to UNILORIN Bulletin last Monday (June 1,2026).
WIPO is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) globally. Established in 1967, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, WIPO supports countries in managing intellectual property rights such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs.
It also facilitates innovation, creativity, and international technology transfer through global cooperation systems and partnerships.
In the letter, WIPO acknowledged receipt of the endorsement of the WIPO GREEN Charter by University and its commitment to supporting technology transfer related to climate change.
The organisation formally welcomed the University of Ilorin as a partner and confirmed that it would be featured on the official WIPO GREEN website as part of its global partner network.
WIPO further encouraged the University to include WIPO GREEN in its list of institutional partners to promote cross-promotion and strengthen global collaboration in the dissemination of green technologies.
The organisation emphasised that such partnerships enhance visibility, knowledge exchange, and innovation-driven cooperation among global stakeholders.
The letter also conveyed appreciation of WIPO for the engagement of the University, noting that its participation would contribute significantly to the shared objective of advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those relating to climate action, innovation, and sustainable development.
According to the WIPO GREEN partners’ directory, the network currently comprises 166 partners drawn from across the globe, including universities, research institutions, multinational corporations, intellectual property offices, development agencies, international organisations, and environmental sustainability organisations.
The network includes United Nations agencies and international bodies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the International Chamber of Commerce, International Trademark Association (INTA), and various national intellectual property offices across continents.
It also features leading global technology and industrial companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM, Huawei, Qualcomm, Tencent, Siemens, General Electric, Panasonic, Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Company, Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi, Canon, Fujitsu, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, Daikin Industries, Sumitomo Electric Industries, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), among others.
Prominent academic and research institutions within the network include The University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Hokkaido University, Kyushu University, Tohoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanazawa University, Waseda University Environmental Research Institute, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Sabanci University, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, and the University of Ilorin.
WIPO GREEN operates as a global marketplace and matchmaking platform that connects providers and seekers of environmentally sound technologies.
The platform supports technology transfer, innovation collaboration, licensing opportunities, and the scaling of climate-smart solutions across sectors such as energy, agriculture, water, and waste management.
The initiative, established by WIPO, is designed to accelerate the diffusion of green technologies by leveraging intellectual property systems and global partnerships to address climate change and promote sustainable development. It also contributes to the achievement of SDG 13 (Climate Action) and other interconnected global development goals.
The inclusion of the University of Ilorin in this global network reflects the growing international recognition of the University and its commitment to research excellence, innovation, intellectual property development, and environmental sustainability in line with global best practices.
The WIPO correspondence reaffirmed that strong collaboration between universities and international partners remains essential in scaling climate solutions and advancing a more sustainable and resilient global future
