The International Publishers Association (IPA) is the world's largest federation of national, regional and specialist publishers' associations. Our membership comprises 92 organisations from 76 countries in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe and the Americas.

The IPA organises the International Publishers Congress every two years in cooperation with the IPA member in the host country. The Congress offers an unrivalled platform for networking and discussion among the world's publishers on industry challenges and opportunities.

The first International Publishers Congress was held in 1896 in Paris. This is the first time that the International Publishers Congress will come to Kuala Lumpur, hosted by Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA). The last International Publishers Congress was held in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The 35th International Publishers Congress, invites publishers worldwide to embrace a future defined by intelligence, adaptability, and sustainability.

The theme, Publishing Intelligence, Sustaining Forward, is a call to action—challenging the industry to harness data, technology, and innovation while safeguarding the human insight and creativity that keep publishing relevant and resilient.

Publishing Intelligence is about using technology to make smarter decisions while recognizing urgent ethical concerns: how does copyright frame and encompass AI; how do we maintain content and information integrity; how can we sustain creativity as well as the human touch that defines publishing?

Sustaining Forward speaks to the future-proofing of publishing—embracing change while upholding sustainability, inclusivity, and the freedom to publish. The industry’s future depends on balancing profitability with purpose, progress with responsibility. And it is publishers who must guide these conversations, ensuring that we uphold our industry’s values.

The 35th International Publishers Congress is more than a conference; it is a global forum to reaffirm publishing’s enduring impact. By coming together to exchange bold ideas and practical solutions, we ensure that publishing continues to thrive as an industry powered by intelligence and sustained by people.