Participants of the 34th IPA International Publishers Congress at Guadalajara gather onstage for a group shot focused on IPA’s support for the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals on December 5, the closing date of the program. Later in the day, the text of the ‘Guadalajara Declaration’ was read to the plenary. Image: Publishing Perspectives, Porter Anderson
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
The 2026 Congress Is Set for Malaysia
As the 34th biennial International Publishers Association (IPA) International Publishers Congress closes here in Guadalajara, the Geneva-based organization made up of 101 member associations based in 81 countries has issued a “Guadalajara Declaration” subtitled “Turning the Page To Drive Progress”
In a line of rationale, the IPA leadership, working over drafts of the statement this week, writes, “To drive meaningful progress on our shared global challenges, we need to work together with key players across the book chain. As an outcome of the congress, the Guadalajara Declaration outlines a shared agenda to ensure the sustainability of knowledge, culture, and education in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.”
The text of the Guadalajara Declaration sets out the text this way:
We, the IPA, declare our intention to:
Reinforce copyright: The United Nations (UN) Pact for the Future emphasizes the importance of protecting knowledge and fostering a sustainable future. Publishers must continue to safeguard and reinforce copyright as the foundation that ensures a thriving ecosystem of knowledge and culture.
Promote the freedom to publish: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines everybody’s basic right to express their opinion and access information. Publishers have a duty to protect the freedom to publish as a cornerstone of democracy, intellectual freedom and cultural exchange, as well as support others who protect the freedom to read and the freedom of expression. We must stand for freedom to publish especially when it is threatened by government interference in education.
Embrace technology responsibly: We have witnessed the transformative power that digital technology has had on information-sharing practices. As publishers, we embrace the progress that technology brings but also recognize the challenges. In order to build the trust in knowledge that is essential for the future, publishers must promote the responsible use of AI—advocating for transparent, accountable digital practices that protect the creative process and intellectual property—as well as supporting the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity.
Drive sustainability: We are facing complex challenges, from climate change to social inequalities, and war. The Sustainable Development Goals outline a blueprint for action and publishers have a unique role in both advocating for and acting to progress the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Publishers must drive sustainability, and we commit ourselves to a sustainable and inclusive publishing environment.
Strengthen our international cooperation and partnerships: In an increasingly complex and fractured world, we recognize the need to strengthen partnerships and cooperation across regions and internationally. The IPA recognizes our role in helping strengthen the resilience and agility of the industry, particularly in regions such as Latin America, Africa. and the Middle East.
Pledge to act: This declaration summarizes a shared agenda, but importantly we must also hold ourselves accountable for our actions. Publishers must develop systems and an infrastructure to monitor our markets and report on progress in the areas outlined in the above declaration.
This final draft of the declaration was read out to the assembly at roughly 6 p.m. in Guadalajara, Mexico, on the campus of the University of Mexico, in the Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas.
Tbilisi-based incoming IPA president Gvantsa Jobava said, “This declaration will serve as a valuable guide throughout my presidency of the IPA.
“I express my deepest thanks to our Mexican hosts for leaving us with some very special memories.”
During the closing program in Guadalajara, it was learned thatr the Malaysian Book Publishers Association will host the next biennial congress, in 2026. As Kuala Lumpur’s association president Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor said at this evening’s announcement, 2026 will be “the year when Malaysia welcomes the whole world for our ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2026,’ the IPA congress event apparently being produced in association with the Asian nation’s tourism promotion.
See also:
Copyright: Publishers in Guadalajara Cheer the End of Internet Archive Suit
In Guadalajara: Both IPA and the Book Fair Focus on SDGs
Publishers’ Congress in Political Times: Hugo Setzer
IPA Publishers’ Congress: Clement on Censorship, ‘a Threat to Democracy’
The UN’s Melissa Fleming: ‘Summit of the Future’ and IPA’s Congress
IPA’s Congress Countdown: The 1,000 Actions Campaign for the SDGs
The UN’s Melissa Fleming to Speak in Mexico at IPA’s Publishers Congress
International Publishers Congress: Keynote from Oleksandra Matviichuk
34th International Publishers Congress Sales Open
Remembering India’s Asoke Ghosh: ‘Friend, Mentor, and Guide’
With Its 34th Congress Ahead, IPA’s Reach Expands to 81 Countries
More from Publishing Perspectives on the International Publishers Association is here, more on the IPA’s biennial International Publishers Congress series is here, and more on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and related programs and initiatives in book publishing is here. More from Publishing Perspectives on the Mexican publishing market is here, more on publishing issues in Latin America is here, more on world publishing’s trade shows and book fairs is here.
Publishing Perspectives is the International Publishers Association’s world media partner.