Organized by the host publisher association, the Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA), the Congress aims to bring together global publishing voices to foster dialogues for exchanging ideas, addressing industry challenges, and shaping the future of publishing together.
The Congress has been soft-launched at the London Book Fair 2025, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2025, as well as by MABOPA during the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair on 23 May 2025. The event also included the appointment of the IPC 2026 Ambassadors for the ASEAN region, announced by Mr. Mohd Khair Ngadiron, Director of the National Book Council of Malaysia:
Atty. Jimmy Buhain and Andrea Pasion-Flores from the Philippines,
Edmund Wee from Singapore,
Arys Hilman from Indonesia,
Duangporn Sudhisomboon (DP Sudhi) from Thailand,
and Sok Rithy from Cambodia.
During a special ceremony at the Asian Rights Fair (which is part of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair), Ernest Oppong from Ghana, Executive Director of the African Publishers Network (APNET), and associate member of the IPA, was further appointed as Ambassador by MABOPA.
These latest developments play an important role in promoting the IPC 2026 and the IPA congratulates all appointed Ambassadors for their key roles in supporting the IPC in Kuala Lumpur next year.