The meeting of the EAPO Administrative Council, the governing body comprising representatives of all eight member states, was held in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) on October 14–15.

Key Outcomes:

• The EAPO decided to accede to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement. The EAPO will become a member of the international industrial design registration system.
• The amounts of certain fees were indexed. The new fees will apply from February 1, 2026.
• The provisions of the Patent Regulations to the Eurasian Patent Convention (EAPC) concerning the examination of inventions and industrial designs were clarified.

The updated provisions aim to eliminate ambiguity in the application of the grace period and in the sequential filing of several divisional applications, clarify exclusions from patent protection based on moral and ethical principles, and improve the quality of examination. Applicants will be able to extend the validity of an industrial design patent for specific designs listed in the application. Third parties will be granted the right to file administrative oppositions against the validity of a Eurasian patent without time restrictions.

• The EAPO will become a party to the Patent Law Treaty of June 1, 2000. The treaty simplifies procedural aspects of patenting. The EAPO’s regulations are fully aligned with the provisions of this international treaty.
• A working group on examination was established. It will facilitate the exchange of experience and best practices in conducting examinations and help improve patenting procedures.
• The smart city of Arkadag was awarded the V.I. Blinnikov Gold Medal.

Arkadag is a unique city in Turkmenistan where cutting-edge technologies are integrated into everyday life — for traffic control, lighting, public utilities, and security. The city serves as a testing ground for numerous inventions, patents, and know-how. It stands as a clear example of how innovation and intellectual property can form the basis for a sustainable and prosperous future.

• EAPO president Grigory Ivliev was granted an award by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the occasion of the Office’s 30th anniversary.