Recently, our team participated in the joint meeting between WIPO and the IP Office. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Project on the Protection and Collective Management of Geographical Indication (GI) for Pine Nuts from Mongolia.

The preliminary assessment confirmed that Mongolian Pine Nuts possess distinct qualities and characteristics associated with their origin. It was determined that implementing a marketing strategy based on GI protection and a related quality scheme would be beneficial.

Additionally, the assessment identified an association of Pine Nut producers who are interested in safeguarding a GI for their product. The aim is to differentiate Mongolian Pine Nuts in the export market by highlighting their specific quality linked to their origin. With the support and guidance provided by WIPO during the mission, one of Mongolia's Pine Nut associations filed an application for the registration of the GI for "Mongolian Pine Nut" with IPOM in January 2023.

Considering the positive assessment, the project will proceed to the next stage, which involves post-assessment support and capacity building activities (Phase I). This document provides an overview of the proposed work and activities. Depending on the outcomes achieved, Phase II of the project will focus on the implementation of collective management for the GI "Mongolian Pine Nut," including relevant branding and commercialization initiatives.

The successful organization of this workshop has allowed us to identify potential export products that can benefit from GI protection. Our goal is for the GI documentation to be effectively protected not only in Mongolia but also in other countries. Mrs. G. Ariunaa /GI Expert, Patent & TM Agent/ has been presented about technical aspects and detail specification on "Pine nut as a GI". Furthermore, we plan to arrange specific meetings and workshops for producers to educate them on the management of GI. Thus we are working Pine Nut geographical indications to be successfully exported.