The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) MENA Subcommittee delegation, led by AIPLA President, visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE from 9-13 February 2026. The visit was part of a broader MENA initiative to engage with local IP authorities, practitioners, and organisations, strengthen international IP relations and explore regional developments.

On 9 February CWB Dubai office had the pleasure of hosting AIPLA representatives - it was a great opportunity to meet and share insights into the fast-evolving IP practice in the UAE and the region.

On 12 February CWB was pleased to host a closing dinner in honour of the AIPLA delegation’s visit to Dubai. The evening was a great opportunity to connect in an informal setting, exchange perspectives, and mark the conclusion of the delegation’s visit.

The program was an undeniable success, with U.S. delegates offering consistently positive feedback on both the quality of the sessions and the professionalism and warmth they experienced throughout their stay.

David Aylen, Chair of the AIPLA MENA Committee, said that he was particularly appreciative of the way CWB stepped forward to support the initiative: “When I reached out to leading firms across the region, your team responded immediately and constructively. The Monday session was informative, forward-looking, and inclusive, and it set exactly the right tone. I thought that it reflected well on the firm and on the broader UAE IP community.The closing dinner at Ninive was simply magnificent—an elegant and memorable way to conclude the visit. Everyone left the UAE with a lasting impression and optimism.”

Looking ahead, the AIPLA MENA Subcommittee aims to build on this momentum with further initiatives designed to raise the profile of the UAE and KSA within the global IP ecosystem. Future collaboration may take the form of joint programming, thought‑leadership projects, or upcoming AIPLA delegation visits.