Malaysia proudly welcomes the global publishing community as host of the 35th International Publishers Congress (IPA Congress 2026), marking the first time in the Congress’ 130-year history that the prestigious event is being held in Malaysia. The milestone positions the country as an increasingly important hub for publishing, intellectual property, content development and international rights trading within Southeast Asia.
Held from 5 to 9 July 2026 under the theme “Publishing Intelligence, Sustaining Forward”, the Congress brings together more than 500 publishers, copyright experts, authors, policymakers, technology leaders and book industry stakeholders from around the world to explore the future of publishing in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, digital innovation, sustainability and evolving reading behaviours.
Organised by the International Publishers Association (IPA) and hosted by the Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA), with Perbadanan Kota Buku (Kota Buku) and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) serving as strategic partners, the Congress represents one of the most significant international publishing events ever held in Malaysia. The National Book Council of Malaysia (MBKM) is also supporting the event, bringing together stakeholders from across the national book ecosystem.
Established in 1896 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Publishers Association (IPA) is the world’s largest federation of publishers, representing publishing associations from more than 80 countries. Held every two years, the International Publishers Congress serves as the publishing industry’s foremost global platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and international collaboration on issues shaping the future of books, copyright, freedom to publish and access to knowledge.
MABOPA President Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor said Malaysia’s successful bid to host the Congress reflects the growing maturity, capability and international standing of the Malaysian publishing industry.
“The International Publishers Congress is more than a conference. It is the world’s most influential gathering for publishers and publishing stakeholders. Hosting the Congress in Malaysia provides an unprecedented opportunity for our industry to engage directly with global leaders, expand international networks, strengthen rights trading activities and showcase Malaysian content to new markets around the world.”
A key highlight of IPA Congress 2026 is its strong emphasis on business matching, rights trading and international collaboration. Throughout the five-day programme, delegates will participate in keynote presentations, panel discussions, industry forums, networking engagements and dedicated business meetings designed to facilitate partnerships across the publishing value chain. Discussions will cover copyright, artificial intelligence, digital publishing, sustainability, content accessibility, educational publishing, publishing technologies and the future of creative content development.
The Congress will also feature a dedicated business matching programme, connecting publishers, rights agents, authors, distributors, technology companies, academic institutions and content creators from different countries. The initiative is expected to generate new opportunities for rights acquisition and sales, co-publishing arrangements, translation projects, cross-border distribution agreements and strategic investments that will strengthen the international publishing ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Puan Adibah Omar, Chief Executive Officer of Kota Buku, said the Congress reflects Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening the entire book ecosystem while creating long-term value for industry stakeholders.
“This Congress is not only a gathering of publishing professionals, but a catalyst for the future growth of the global and regional publishing ecosystem. Through the participation of industry leaders from around the world, Malaysia has a unique opportunity to facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange and internationalisation efforts that will benefit publishers, authors, translators, booksellers and content creators alike.”
Adibah added that Kota Buku’s participation aligns closely with its mandate to develop the national book industry and expand Malaysia’s presence in international intellectual property markets.
“Kota Buku is committed to positioning Malaysia as a regional centre for publishing innovation, copyright trading and content exchange. Through initiatives such as the Asian Rights Fair, we continue to create meaningful opportunities for Malaysian and international publishers to connect, collaborate and unlock new commercial potential.”
As a statutory body under the Ministry of Education, Kota Buku plays a strategic role in advancing the national publishing industry, promoting digital transformation and expanding access to books and reading. Through its regional rights-trading platform, the Asian Rights Fair (ARF), Kota Buku has established an important marketplace for intellectual property transactions, translation rights and content licensing across Asia. The Congress further strengthens these efforts by bringing global publishing professionals together in Malaysia and creating new pathways for international cooperation.
Running alongside the Congress, the Asian Rights Fair Special Edition serves as a dedicated rights marketplace and business networking platform for international delegates. The programme provides focused opportunities for rights negotiations, content licensing discussions and commercial partnerships, reinforcing Malaysia’s ambitions to become a leading regional hub for copyright trade and publishing innovation.
Beyond the primary strategic partners, the IPA Congress 2026 is further bolstered by a diverse network of local and international supporting organisations, including the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia, the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), the Selangor Public Library Corporation, the Malaysian Scholarly Publishing Council (MAPIM), USIM Press, Sunway University Press, Publishers Without Borders, Bologna Children’s Book Fair & BolognaBookPlus, Publishers Weekly, Publishing Perspectives, IBDE, British Council, KLIA Ekspres, and World Travel Ambassador.
The Congress has also received sponsorship support from leading organisations including Sharjah Book Authority, The London Book Fair, PTS Media Group, Pelangi Publishing, Sasbadi, Vivar Printing Sdn Bhd, BookXcess and Canon, demonstrating strong industry commitment towards the success of the event and the advancement of international publishing collaboration.
As Malaysia hosts this landmark edition of the International Publishers Congress, the event is expected to deliver enduring benefits for the publishing sector, creative economy, business tourism and international knowledge exchange, while strengthening the country’s position as a gateway to the ASEAN publishing market and a destination for global publishing engagement.
