On 12 October local time, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) presented its first “Innovation Cities” awards in Geneva, Switzerland. Shanghai of China, Charleroi of Belgium and Liverpool of the United Kingdom became the first cohort of winning cities.

It is reported that WIPO’s “Innovation Cities” award was established for the first time in 2026. Cities within the territories of 194 member states may organise applications. The award aims to recognise cities that intend to take practical institutional measures to support innovation. WIPO formed an international jury of renowned experts to evaluate applications submitted by candidate cities.

In recent years, Shanghai has consistently adhered to innovation-led development, taking intellectual property as a core engine for stimulating innovation momentum and unleashing creative potential, and vigorously advancing construction as an international sci-tech innovation centre and an international IP centre city, with notable results. Data show that in 2025 Shanghai’s regional GDP reached RMB 5.67 trillion, placing its economic aggregate among the world’s to