Preparations for IPA World Congress, Jakarta Receives Delegation of IPA Executive Committee

Jakarta has been selected to host the 33rd International Publishers Association World Congress (IPA World Congress).

We are honored to have an IPA executive committee delegate present to see the preparations

It shows a decisive early stage in the development of the publishing and book industry in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta. It was conveyed by Jakarta Vice Governor Ahmad Riza Patria in a press conference with the 2022 IPA World Congress organizing committee at the Jakarta City Hall, Central Jakarta, Tuesday afternoon (5/17).

"On behalf of the Jakarta administration, I'm happy to welcome the presence of the delegates of the IPA Executive Committee in Jakarta. Alhamdulillah, this year, Jakarta has the honor to host the 2022 IPA World Congress, which is the largest biennial event to bring together publishers' federations around the world," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

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He also expressed his appreciation to the Delegation of the Executive Committee and the Science Executive Committee who made a field visit to coincide with the commemoration of National Book Day and a survey in preparation for the 2022 Science World Congress next November in Jakarta.

"We are honored to have an IPA executive committee delegate present to see the preparations. Jakarta is very ready to properly host the 2022 IPA World Congress. Hope this visit will strengthen this well-established cooperation," he added.

As for the information, Indonesia is the country that has the most productive publishing industry in Southeast Asia in 2019 and in the last 10 years. No wonder, Jakarta has become the center of world literacy. Last year, Jakarta contributed 25% to the national digital collection and registered 14,906 ISBNs.

Indonesia has also received international recognition in the field of literature and the publishing industry as well as generating a potential market. Since being the guest of honor at the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair and being followed as a focus country at the 2019 London Book Fair, Indonesia has set its foot higher in the world literacy scene.

The proliferation of national and international literary festivals made publishing activities aimed at promoting reading, increasing literacy, and creating networking opportunities in the creative industries included in this commitment. the IPA World Congress was also held to build a platform for world publishers to voice, discuss, and collaborate on important issues about the industry, its challenges, and opportunities, especially in the post-pandemic era.

"Surely, this will open a lot of harmonious cooperation between publishers and book industry players, not only in Indonesia but also throughout the world," he continued.

Hopefully, the congress could become an event to provide enthusiasm, exchange ideas, and open up creative spaces after the pandemic that is happening around the world. Jakarta would also become a hub for literacy, cultural and artistic activities in Indonesia in particular and Southeast Asia in general.

He also invited writers, publishers, and creative communities, from all over the world to be present in Jakarta this upcoming November, as the event was a golden opportunity to interact, build a network of works and provide mutual support. He asserted that the success of this event was certainly dedicated not only to Indonesia but also to the world.

Jakarta Book City Chairperson Laura Bangun Prinsloo added that since being selected as one of the UNESCO City of Literature last November 2021, Jakarta commits to making books an important component in the lives of Jakartans.

“This is also reflected in the theme we took at the 2022 IPA Congress. Reading Matters - Embracing The Future," she stated.

Indonesia represented by the All Indonesian Publishers Association (IKAPI) is one of four countries that have full membership in the International Publishers Association (IPA). "As the host and representing more than 2,000 publishers in Indonesia, IKAPI is committed to contributing to the success of this IPA Congress. I'm honored to meet and welcome book and publishing industry players around the world in Jakarta next November," added IKAP Chairperson Arys Hilman.

Further, in the press conference held at the Jakarta City Hall, there was also a representative from the IPA Executive Committee Karine Pansa who is also the Vice President of IPA. There were also IPA Secretary General Jose Borghino and Communication IPA Director James Taylor.

The arrival of the IPA team, which was deliberately scheduled to coincide with the celebration of National Book Day, aims to conduct surveys and coordinate Jakarta's preparations to host the 2022 IPA World Congress. "We can't wait to bring the publishing and book industry community and actors to Jakarta. Coinciding with the celebration of this National Book Day, Jakarta has shown as a city of books that is suitable for holding this congress," added IPA Executive Committee Representative Karine Pansa.

One of the agenda items that will be held at the congress is about fighting book piracy. In Indonesia, book piracy has become a very troubling specter for the book and publishing industry. With this congress, it is hoped that the publishing and book industry actors could unite and make various movements and campaigns to combat book piracy.

About IPA

The International Publishers Association (IPA) is the world's largest federation of publisher associations founded in 1896 in Paris by leading publishers. IPA is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and represents the interests of the publishing industry at international forums. Its mission is to promote and protect publishing and to raise global awareness that the publishing sector is one of the basic forces in economic, cultural, and social development.

Internationally, they continue to actively promote copyright, freedom to publish books, and literacy activities. IPA members to date consist of 86 publishing organizations from 71 countries across the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and America. Through its members, IPA represents thousands of publishers worldwide serving a market of more than 5.6 billion people.

About IPA Congress

IPA initiates an international publishing congress every two years in collaboration with IPA members from the host. This congress is an unlimited sharing platform for networking and discussing issues, challenges, and opportunities for the international book and publishing industry actors.