Category: News and Updates

November 15, 2025 (Shanghai, China) – The International Publishers Congress (IP Congress) 2026 received an enthusiastic reception at the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF), where organisers actively promoted the upcoming event at stand 3A01.

Hosted on-stand by Elena Pasoli, Congress and IPA partner, the booth attracted strong interest from attendees. IPA President Gvantsa Jobava joined the team to lend her support and help raise awareness of the Congress.

A highlight of the fair was the appointment of Mr Rashid Mohamed Alkous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, as the newest IP Congress Ambassador. The appointment was celebrated with a photo alongside the Congress’s first appointed Ambassador, Mr Mingzhou Zhang from China, a prominent figure in the Chinese publishing industry, and also former President of International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).

The impact was immediate: following the announcement, five publishing houses from the United Arab Emirates registered for the 2026 Congress on the spot.

Many of the event’s photos were provided by Emma House, representing Publishers Without Borders, another key partner of the Congress.
With registrations now open and early-bird pricing still available for a limited time, publishers worldwide are encouraged to secure their places at www.publisherscongress.com.

November 4, 2025 (Sharjah, UAE) – The Sharjah Publishers Conference, held from November 2–4, 2025, at Expo Centre Sharjah ahead of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), drew global publishing leaders and delivered a major push for next year’s flagship industry event.

A standout moment came on November 4 with the dedicated Roundtable Session on the IP Congress with the Publishers Without Borders (PWB). IPA President, Gvantsa Jobava took center stage, rallying attendees for the 35th International Publishers Congress, set for Kuala Lumpur from 5–9 July 2026.

Mr. Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor, President of the Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA), was also on the ground throughout the conference, actively promoting the Kuala Lumpur gathering and encouraging regional participation.

An exclusive 50% discount on the IP Congress 2026 tickets were made available ONLY to Sharjah Publishers Conference attendees during the three-day event. Industry professionals who acted fast locked in the lowest rates ever offered for the global summit. Full details and registration are available at publisherscongress.com.

Stay connected for more updates on the International Publishers Congress 2026 as Kuala Lumpur prepares to host the world’s publishing leaders next July.

October 17, 2025 (Messe, Frankfurt): The 35th International Publishers Congress (IPC 2026) was highlighted at a special reception during the Frankfurt Book Fair, announcing its upcoming edition to be held 5-9 July 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Set to bring together publishing leaders, innovators, and visionaries from across the globe, IPC 2026 will serve as a vital platform to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and chart the course for the future of global publishing.

October 16, 2025 (Messe, Frankfurt): At the Asia Stage of the Frankfurt Book Fair, IPA Secretary General José Borghino joined a distinguished panel featuring Sheikh Faisal (IPA Executive Committee Member), Trasvin Jittidecharak (former EC Member), and Dominador Buhain (President Emeritus, Philippines Education Publishers Association).

The discussion focused on how the International Publishers Association (IPA) supports and advocates for Asian publishers, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and growth across the region.

The panel also encouraged publishers and industry leaders to take part in the next IPA Congress, happening in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 5-7 July 2026 – an exciting gathering for the global publishing community.

October 10, 2025 (Menara Matrade, Kuala Lumpur): Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor, President of MABOPA, had a meeting with Mr Jai Shankar and his team from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). They discussed how MATRADE would explore working together with MABOPA for the International Publishers Congress next year. They also covered organizing a meeting with industry players to assess the marketability of their work, make full use of available resources, and, of course, utilize the incentives from the government through MATRADE.

September 18, 2025 (Nilai, Negeri Sembilan): The Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA) has further strengthened preparations for the 35th International Publishers Congress (IPC) 2026 with two significant academic partnerships.

Recently, MABOPA President Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor signed a collaboration with the Malaysian Scholarly Publishing Council (MAPIM), represented by Chairperson Dr Siti Rahmah binti Awang. MAPIM has committed to promote the Congress to its member institutions and send delegates, ensuring strong representation from Malaysia’s scholarly publishing sector.

Today, MABOPA formalized another milestone by signing a Letter of Intent with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). The agreement was signed by Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor and Puan Hariza Mohd Yusof (Director, USIM Press), and witnessed by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Muhammad Tauffik Mohd Noor (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research & Innovation, USIM) and Puan Siti Amiza Abdul Aziz (Deputy Director, Malaysian National Book Council).

As a Strategic Partner, USIM will provide live recording services for the Congress, and contribute crew members from its students and staff to support the IPC 2026 Secretariat.

September 11, 2026 (SMX Convention Centre, Manila): Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor, President of MABOPA, promoted the 35th International Publishers Association Congress, set for 5-9 July 2026, in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from being given a slot to explain about the Congress, he also seized the opportunity to meet Mdm Cilette Liboro Co, a high-ranking officer from the Department of Education, who officiated the Manila International Book Fair’s opening ceremony. Sheikh Faisal also expressed gratitude to Andrea Pasion-Flores, Charisse Aquino Tugade, Paolo Sibal of BDAP, NBDB, and PEPA, and especially Jimmy Buhain, the Godfather of Philippine Publishing, for their support in encouraging their members to participate in the 2026 congress.

August 22, 2025 (Nilai, Negeri Sembilan): President of MABOPA, Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor met the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Malaysian Scholarly Publishing Council (MAPIM), Dr Atie Awang and Hariza Mohd Yusof at USIM Press to sign on a partnership deal between MABOPA and MAPIM for next year’s IP Congress 2026 whereby MAPIM will help promote the event to universities and will also send participants to the Congress.

1 April 2025 (Bologna, Italy): The 35th International Publishers Congress, set for 5–9 July 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, had a successful soft launch at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. MABOPA and IPA appointed Bologna Children’s Book Fair (represented by Director Elena Pasoli) and Publishers Without Borders (represented by Simon de Jocas) as partners. Mr. Mingzhou Zhang was named the first Congress Ambassador to promote the event in China, with more ambassadors and partners to be appointed. IPA President Gvantsa Jobava and Secretary General Jose Borghino witnessed the MoU signing.

7 December 2024 (Guadalajara, Mexico): The International Publishers Association (IPA) and the Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, designating MABOPA as the host of the 35th International Publishers Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2026. The signing was witnessed by IPA Vice President Gvantsa Jobava, IPA Secretary General Jose Borghino, and MABOPA delegates during the 34th Congress. Two days later, at the closing ceremony, former IPA President Hugo Setzer handed the IPA flag to MABOPA, marking the official handover.