Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Geneva
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The World Intellectual Property Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations that deals with protection of intellectual property rights across countries. Its work includes treaties, dispute resolution, and support for innovation. Questions about the headquarters of WIPO are common in exams that cover international organisations and economic affairs. This item asks the candidate to identify the city where WIPO is based.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
WIPO headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, which is a major hub for many United Nations specialised agencies. While Paris houses bodies like UNESCO, and New York hosts the main UN headquarters, intellectual property treaties and administration are centred in Geneva through WIPO. Recognising this distribution helps students quickly link WIPO to Geneva.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that WIPO is one of several UN related organisations based in Geneva, alongside others such as WHO and the International Labour Organization.Step 2: Examine the options and identify Geneva among the listed cities.Step 3: Recognise that Paris is associated with UNESCO and other cultural bodies, not WIPO.Step 4: Note that New York is the headquarters of the UN General Assembly and Security Council but not of WIPO.Step 5: Select Geneva as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling images of WIPO modern glass fronted buildings situated near Lake Geneva, frequently shown in news reports about international intellectual property negotiations. Additionally, official websites and documents explicitly state Geneva, Switzerland, as the headquarters location. Paris, Madrid, and New York may host occasional intellectual property meetings but are not the permanent home of WIPO.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Paris, is wrong because it is the headquarters of UNESCO and several other organisations, but not WIPO.Option B, Madrid, is wrong since it is not known as a centre for WIPO administration or as a principal UN specialised agency headquarters.Option C, New York, is wrong because it is the main base of the United Nations itself rather than WIPO.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes guess Paris or New York whenever a question mentions a UN related body. Another error is to confuse WIPO with the World Trade Organization, which is also located in Geneva but deals with trade rules more broadly. To avoid confusion, learners should make a small table mapping key organisations to their headquarters, noting that Geneva houses several important bodies including WIPO.
Final Answer:
Geneva
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