Chief of UN intellectual property agency wins re-election as UN faces financial turmoil

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Mark MagnierFebruary 12, 2026 at 11:09 PM

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The incumbent head of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo), Daren Tang Heng Shim, was re-elected by a vote of 81 to 2 against Haitian national Johanny Stanley Joseph. The election took place on Thursday among 83 eligible member states, amidst a severe financial crisis facing the United Nations due to funding cuts from member nations such as Washington and other countries. Tang was first elected six years ago, winning 55 votes in a tight contest with Chinese national Wang Binying. This time around, the US did not participate in the election, while China appeared satisfied with the current leadership. The re-election of Tang has been seen as a reflection of the status quo at Wipo, with some close to the organisation indicating that Washington had lost interest in participating in the election.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Haiti 30% Donald Trump 40% Lee Hsien Loong 40% Singapore ×250% Johanny Stanley Joseph 50% Wang Binying ×250% China ×260% Washington, D.C. ×260% United States ×260% UN ×370% World Intellectual Property Organisation ×380% Daren Tang Heng Shim ×290%

Keywords

world intellectual property organisation 90% un intellectual property 80% wipo re-election 80% financial crisis 70% un funding cuts 70% washington withdrawal 60% singaporean national 50%