These last two years have been an exciting and productive time for AIPPI. Many people have joined in the development, and the work, of the Association and have devoted themselves to both. The growth programme is working and prospects for the Association are bright. We have used new approaches to many aspects of the Association and largely they have worked out well. We certainly have learned a great deal. I believe that the Boston Congress will be a fine success, particularly in further advancing the organization of our meetings for greater efficiency and interest. It has been a dynamic time.

This Association is different from other associations. It is unique because it is global and necessarily broad in its view. Its leaders must be similar in view and scope of thinking. I am pleased to advise all of you that the leaders with whom I have been privileged to serve have been incredibly dedicated and broad of view. It has been a pleasure. Happily, many will remain actively engaged in various capacities for the Association for years to come.

For now, the Association faces important decisions at the Boston Congress. It must choose how it will modernize its structure and operations. Many excellent proposals for advancing the governance and structure of the Association will be ready for vote at Boston. And beyond Boston, even more opportunities for change in governance, mission development, efficiency of operations and so on lie ahead.

In this, my last report to all of you, I have selected, from among the many additional changes that should be considered for the Association in coming years after Boston, just a few further changes that I consider of particular importance. I also express great gratitude for those with whom I have been privileged to serve the Association. The Boston Congress will conclude my role as President of the Association and my service on the Bureau with some of the most dedicated volunteers that I have ever seen for any association.

AIPPI is an organization with many missions. It has a political mission, an educational mission, a social mission and others.

The political mission encompasses the development of international norms across the entire field of IP and related fields, as well as the political advancement of those norms, internationally and nationally. It also includes the development of advice to international organizations, and some national organizations in certain circumstances. These are important aspects of the role of AIPPI which continue to require attention and development in coming years.

These aspects have been served during these last two years, by our meetings in Singapore, Mexico, Israel, Egypt, India, South Africa, Lithuania, China, Japan, and so many more. I should not fail to mention the meeting in Geneva organized in concert with WIPO that produced excellent prospects for the advancement internationally of our proposal resulting from Q163. The possibility of an international instrument regarding client privilege is now real though much more work must go into it. Still, more opportunities will be created in the future to advance this major political and normative mission regarding far more issues on which AIPPI should take a significant leadership role.

Indeed, the Association should very seriously consider creating a new voting position on the Bureau for advancing the political agenda of the Association. I have called it "Advocate General" of equal status with the Secretary General, Reporter General or Treasurer General. This officer would have the mission of actually implementing through well planned and coordinated advocacy and appropriate political process the positions taken by the Association through the extensive work of the Committees, the Reporters General and the Executive Committee. This position on the Bureau need not expand the number of members of the Bureau; one of the two Deputy Reporters General could be converted to this role. The addition of (non voting) Assistant Reporters General has reduced the need for two Deputy Reporters General as voting members of the Bureau, allowing the possibility for redefining the role of one of those voting positions.

The value of the Association is supported by its creation and performance of educational activities and meetings all over the world on important IP issues. There is a very significant need for more support of the educational role of the Association in concert with National and Regional Groups and even other organizations. That educational role deserves a new and dedicated voting position on the Bureau.

The exact nature and function of these new positions on the Bureau will be developed over time.

The social mission of the Association is well served internationally by our ExCo/Forum meetings and Congresses but much more could be supported by engaging in more regional meetings and even more activities at our major international meetings. There is much to be said in favour of providing more opportunities for clients and professionals to meet and talk with each other at regional and international meetings.

But so much for further challenges.

Let me say that the other members of the Bureau and the major Committees who have served you during these last two years are wonderfully committed volunteers. They have served with a selfless determination to help advance this Association at great personal expense of time and opportunity. I can only say to them: THANK YOU. I also want to thank all of you for your support and the warm reception that I have received wherever I have gone for AIPPI. It has been a gratifying and rewarding experience.

I hope to see you in Boston.