In fulfillment of its mission as a center of excellence for the dissemination of knowledge and for encouraging dialogue, learning and understanding among cultures and people, the BA has developed a growing interest in issues relating to access to knowledge (A2K), promotion of innovation and creativity, and intellectual property (IP). Accordingly,  the BA organized the first seminar in the Arab world and the region back in 2006 entitled “New Tools for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Promotion of Innovation and Creativity: Global Developments and Regional Challenges”. The BA has also initiated several activities to spread the A2K philosophy, and it has worked on building and developing the capabilities of local researchers, librarians, and practitioners enabling them to effectively implement new and emerging A2K tools and practices. The A2K initiative aspires to raise the awareness of a wide array of public audience on the relationship between IP and development on the international level, with a special focus on A2K; this would assist in promoting innovation and creativity and in stimulating the development of an inclusive, knowledgeable society in the Arab world.