Sylvie Forbin has been appointed Deputy Director General, Copyright and Creative Industries Sector at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) by Director General Francis Gurry.

WIPO received a total of 301 applications for the position, and just over a quarter were submitted by women candidates. Applications also varied geographically, coming from candidates in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and North America.

According to a WIPO release, six candidates were invited for a one-day in-depth interview and assessment, and all six candidates also met with Director General Francis Gurry to evaluate their technical expertise in March of 2016.

The term of office for Sylvie Forbin is proposed to begin September 18, 2016, and expire September 30, 2020.

Ms. Forbin is a national of France, and brings extensive experience in copyright, especially music copyright, having served as the General Manager of Eureka Audiovisual in Brussels, and most recently as Senior Vice President for Public and European Affairs at VIVENDI in Paris. She is also a veteran diplomat with experience as Vice Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy in Rome, Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union and Head of Communications and Press Services at the French Embassy in Beijing.

Music Canada would like to congratulate Sylvie Forbin on her appointment, and wish her success in this important role.