Review of the 3rd Regional Congress in El Salvador of the AIPPI Regional Group for Central America and the Caribbean: Intellectual Property Challenges for Innovation in our Region

On 6 June 2025, we successfully held the 3rd Regional Congress of the AIPPI Regional Group for Central America and the Caribbean in El Salvador — and it was a great success!

The evening before the congress, we hosted a welcome dinner for sponsors, speakers, and special guests at Amelie Restaurant. It was a warm and enjoyable gathering, during which Estuardo Jauregui, President of the Regional Group, announced the exciting news that the 4th Regional Congress in 2026 will take place in the Dominican Republic, where the Regional Group was originally founded.

On the day of the congress, guests and speakers began arriving early, allowing us to start promptly at 9:00 AM. We were honored to welcome several distinguished guests, including:

• Fernando Becerril, Deputy Secretary General of AIPPI
• Martin Michaus, Honorary Member of AIPPI and our keynote speaker
• Luis Henriquez, President of ASIPI
• Edna López, President of ASPI El Salvador
• Salvador Lizama, Director of the Intellectual Property Institute of El Salvador
• Benjamin Mayorga, General Director of Customs of El Salvador

The day began with a compelling keynote address by Martin Michaus, who provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of intellectual property, innovation, and future trends.

In the first panel, Salvador Lizama, along with Eleonora Carrillo and Edna López, offered an in-depth analysis of El Salvador’s new Intellectual Property Law.

The second panel explored the topic “Defending Innovation at the Frontiers: The Role of Authorities in Protecting Intellectual Property.” Panelists included Benjamin Mayorga, Maria del Pilar Troncoso, Carlos Castillo, and Nadya León from AMCHAM El Salvador.

After lunch, we held an engaging workshop titled “Ideas that Make an Impact,” featuring seven entrepreneurs who received pro bono intellectual property consulting. Participants voted for their favorite initiatives, with the top three being Cat Kingdom, Jaguar Tea, and IRESCUE.

We concluded this memorable day with a toast on the rooftop of the Barceló Hotel, enjoying a stunning view of the San Salvador Volcano and the city’s modern skyline.

Bonus Highlight: Due to the overwhelming turnout — nearly 90 participants — we had to bring in extra chairs to accommodate everyone. What a great problem to have!