EU-ASEAN Seminar and Exhibition on the Protection and Promotion of Geographical Indications (GIs)

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn delivering her opening speech.

(left) HE Dr Friedrich Hamburger presenting a gift to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during the opening ceremony. (right) At the Champagne booth, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in discussion with HE Laurent Aublin, French Ambassador to Thailand, with HE Dr Friedrich Hamburger, Ambassador - Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Thailand looking on.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand presided over the seminar and exhibition on the protection and promotion of geographical indications (GIs) entitled “Lands of tradition and opportunities” on 28-29 June 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand. She was welcomed by HE Mr Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, and HE Ambassador Dr Friedrich Hamburger, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Thailand.

This two-day regional event jointly organised by ECAP II, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) of Thailand and the ASEAN Secretariat, attracted more than 700 participants, including experts, producers, manufacturers and members of the public from Europe and ASEAN. 

The exhibition organised in parallel with the seminar served as a meeting forum for over 50 producers, grouped under national pavilions from Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia, to discuss and exchange experiences on GI. 

A celebration was held by ECAP II and the DIP to mark the first 11 GIs registered in Thailand, including Champagne which became the first European GI registered in Thailand.  Mr Kanissorn Navanugraha, Director General of the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) in Thailand, remitted GI certificates to representatives of the registered GIs.

One of the highlights of the event was the launching of the ECAP II “GI Twinning Initiative” which aims to further facilitate networking and to foster the exchange of information and experiences with GI protection and promotion among European and ASEAN producers.  Valencian Citrus Fruit (Spain), Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham (Italy), Presunto de Bariancos, Pera Rocha do Oeste, Lombo Enguitado de Portalegre (Portugal) and Champagne (France) were among European GIs joining the twinning programme.

Representatives of newly registered GI products received GI registration certificates during the GI certificate remittance ceremony. Front row, from left: Stephane Passeri, ECAP II Programme Administrator, Kanitda Karnasuta, Phurua Plateau Wine, Aurapan Bulsapaporn from Chainat Khaotangkwa Pomelo, Jean-Luc Barbier, Champagne (France), Kanissorn Navanugraha, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Surapol Suwankul from Trang Roast Pork, Adisorn Puangchonpu from Nakornchaisri Pomelo, Niclas Morey, ECAP II Director. Back row, from left: Pajchima Tanasanti, Director of the Trademark Office, Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa, Deputy Director-General (DIP), Riksh Syamananda from Doi Tung Coffee, Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Minister Counsellor, Trade Section, Delegation of the European Commission to Thailand, Laddawan Kunnoot, Sangyod Muang Phattalung Rice, Françoise Meley, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the French Embassy to Thailand, Johan Amand, Director of International Affairs, European Patent Office (EPO) (Germany), and Sarach Kamolthornthai from Phetchabun Sweet Tamarind.

Photo albums
-  Opening Ceremony presided by H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 28 June 2006
-   H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit to the exhibition on 28 June 2006
-   Seminar held at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel from 28 to 29 June 2006
-   Exhibition at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel from 28 to 29 June 2006
-   Ceremony of GI certificates remittance held at the Oriental Hotel on 29 June 2006

Presentation materials are available for downloading:

*  Opening Speech by H.R.H Princess Maka Chakri Sirindhorn (Thai/English)
*  Reports to H.R.H Princess Maka Chakri Sirindhorn  by
     -  H.E Mr Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce (Thai/English)
     -  H.E Dr Friedrich Hamburger, Ambassador-Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European
        Commission to Thailand (English)
*  Welcome Address by
     -  Mr Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Minister Counsellor, Trade Section, Delegation of the European
        Commission to Thailand (English)
     -  H.E Nicholas Tandi Dammen, Deputy Secretary-General, ASEAN Secretariat (English)
*  Promoting know-how, tradition, diversity and quality by
     -  Mrs Pajchima Tanasanti, Director of Trademark Office, Department of Intellectual Property,
        Ministry of Commerce, Thailand (Thai-English)
     -  Mr Daniel Boissieres, Head of Co-operation and Bilateral Relations, DPEI, Ministry of Agriculture
        and Fishery, France (Thai/English)
     -  Dr Tantono Subagyo, Indonesian GI Committee, Indonesia (Thai/English)
*  Overview of the Current Geographical Indication (GI) systems in Europe & ASEAN: The legal
   protection of GI & current developments regarding the protection of GI products by
     -  Mr Antonio Berenguer Reguant, Intellectual Property Unit, Directorate-General for Trade
        European Commission (Thai/English)
     -  Mr Tran Viet Hung, Deputy Director General, NOIP, Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam
        (Thai/English)
     -  Ms Emawati Junus, Director of Trademarks, DGIPR, Ministry of Law & Human Rights, Indonesia
        (Thai/English)
*   Identification and Registration of Geographical Indications by
     -  Mrs Ana Soeiro, Ministry of Agriculture, Portugal (Thai/English)
     -  Mr Juan Bta Juan Gimeno, Director of de Valencian Citrus Fruit, Spain (Thai/English)
     -  Mr Prak Sereyvath, Managing Director, Center for Research & Rural Development, CEDAC,
        Cambodia (Thai/English)
     -  Mr Ta Quang Minh, Deputy Director, Head of Supporting and Consultant Center, NOIP, Vietnam
        (Thai/English)
     -  Mr Vu Trong Binh, Director, Rural Development Center, Institute of Policy and Strategy for
        Agriculture and Rural Development, IPSARD, Vietnam (Thai/English)
*  Workshop 1:  The control and protection of GIs by the producers and the administration by
     -  Mr Davide Calderone, Ufficio Tecnico-Sanitario, Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma Ham, Italy
         (Thai/English)
     -  Mr Juan Bta Juan Gimeno, Director of de Valencian Citrus Fruit, Spain (Thai/English)
     -  Mr. Charles Goemaere, CIVC, Champagne, France (Thai/English)
     -  Ms Chinda Kamolthornthai, Phetchaun Sweet Tamarind, Thailand (Powerpoint:Thai/English)
        (Central Market for Sweet Tamarind in Phetchabun Province: Thai/English)
*  Workshop 2: Case Studies on GI Applications
     -  Lezirias Ribatejanas Carolino Rice by Mrs Ana Soeiro, Portugal (Thai/English)
     -  Oeste Rocha Pear by Mrs Ana Soeiro, Portugal (Thai/English)
     -  An example of the role of the producer group in the path of the future by  Mrs Maria Ceia, Portugal
        (Thai/English)
     -  Phurua Plateau Wine by Ms Kanitda Karnasuta, Phurua Plateau Wine, Thailand (English)  
     -  Sangyod Muang Phattalung Rice by Dr Laddawan Kunnoot, Khao Sang Yod Muang Patthalung,
        Thailand (Powerpoint: Thai) (Word document: Thai/English)
     -  Coffee in Indonesia: A potential commodity to be protected and promoted by geographical
         indications by Dr Surip Mawardi, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Indonesia
         (Thai/English)
     -  Procedures for geographical indications registration and management – “Doan Hung Pomelo”
        Case study by Mr Bui Tan Yen, Deputy Director, Department of Soil Genesis and Classification
        Research, national Institute for Soils and Fertilizers (NISF), Vietnam (Thai/English)
     -  The Revival and Revitalization of the Piña Weaving Industry in Aklan by Mrs Anna India A. Dela
        Cruz-Legaspi, President, Aklan Pina Manufactureres & Traders Association, Philippines
        (Thai/English)
*  Press Releases
     -  of the seminar/exhibition (English/Thai)
     -  of the ceremony of geographical indications (GIs) certificates remittance and ECAP II GI twinning
         initiative (English/Thai)