Jobava highlighted the importance of this event and the discussions held with UPEM’s board members. She stated: “It was a great pleasure to represent the International Publishers Association at SIEL in Rabat and to meet the publishers’ board of UPEM. During our meeting, we discussed the challenges of the Moroccan publishing industry and how the cooperation between IPA and UPEM can become more intensive.”
The meeting focused on working “hand in hand to promote books and culture,” a sentiment echoed by the UPEM members. The Moroccan delegation included Hicham Wali Alami (President), Layla Chawni (Vice-President), Ahmed Abou (Secretary General), Saad Hossini, and Zineb Chraibi. They confirmed their strong affiliation with the IPA and discussed potential joint projects aimed at boosting the publishing sector in Morocco.
During the Salon International de l’Edition et du Livre in Rabat, where UNESCO was the guest of honor, Jobava also participated in a discussion with UNESCO’s Ian Denison on the World Book Capital Programme.