Her message reflected IPA’s broader mission: promoting copyright, defending the freedom to publish, and advancing global collaboration across the publishing ecosystem. She noted: “What you publish matters in more ways than one… You have the ability to create those special moments between children and their parents – where children discover the joy of reading, reading for pleasure. Once they acquire that love of reading, our entire book sector gains a reader for life.”
She further emphasized IPA’s commitment to defending the freedom to publish, noting that children’s publishers in many regions often face particular pressures and must stand united to protect children’s right to read.
Jobava reaffirmed IPA’s full support for children’s publishers worldwide: “You are a special part of the IPA family. The work you do has the potential not only to change an individual child’s life, but to change whole societies. IPA will support you all the way.”
During the panel “Powerful Impact of Children’s Books on Shaping Young Minds” Jobava joined global experts to discuss how children’s publishing shapes reading habits, critical thinking, and the emotional development of young readers.
She noted how in today’s rapidly evolving digital world, reading faces strong competition from constant technological distractions which makes close cooperation between the publishing sector and governments essential to promote reading, support access to books, and create a strong reading culture. Jobava also noted: “There is a challenge in keeping young people reading. We see so much competition from other forms of entertainment. The impact on our societies is huge if people lose the ability to read deep, complex texts and analyse them. Books are not the only things shaping young minds – with so much misinformation online, children must learn how to recognise it and question it.”
Finally, the fair was also the opportunity to promote the 35th International Publishers Congress taking place in July 2026. At a reception organised in partnership with the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Elena Pasoli (Bologna Children’s Book Fair), Gvantsa Jobava and MABOPA President, Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor presented the latest details about the fair. More information on the Congress at publisherscongress.com
Photo Credits Shanghai Children’s Book Fair