Japan: Japan and United Arab Emirates concluded negotiations on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement including intellectual property provisions

On 5 March 2026, Japan and the United Arab Emirates adopted the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), including provisions on digital trade. The agreement establishes a prohibition on requiring consular authentication of signatures for patents and designs. Furthermore, the agreement mandates the application of clear intellectual property enforcement procedures to Free Zones to ensure consistent protection across different economic jurisdictions. In addition to these IP-specific measures, the CEPA facilitates cooperation in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and mineral resources.