TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei-Hsinchu cluster ranked 25th on the latest Global Innovation Index (GII) technology cluster ranking.

According to a report published by the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Tuesday (Aug. 27), the Tokyo-Yokohama cluster took the lead in first place followed by the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster in second, and the Beijing cluster at third.

WIPO, the UN agency responsible for patents and copyright, said China accounted for the largest number of clusters in the top 100 for the second consecutive year, with 26 clusters, followed by the US with 20 clusters, per CNA. While the top 10 rankings have seen little change, tech clusters in middle-income economies are growing the fastest, the agency explained.

Germany ranked third in the number of tech clusters with eight clusters. Munich, ranked 22nd, is the highest-ranked German cluster.

Sao Paulo, ranked 73rd, is the only cluster from Latin America in the top 100. Cairo, ranked 95th, is the only African cluster on the list, marking the first time Egypt's capital has been included. Kuala Lumpur, ranked 93rd, also entered the top 100 for the first time.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang (鄧鴻森) said, “Tech clusters are the foundation of a strong national innovation ecosystem.” 

“It is encouraging to see these clusters thriving not only in established centers in industrialized countries but also in emerging innovation hotspots in selected developing economies,” he added.