The São Paulo International Book Fair ran from September 6 th to 15 th and received a public of 700.000 people, most of them students. Book market events, however, started earlier. On the days before the event, IPA’s President had the opportunity to welcome a delegation of Canadian publishers to talk about the Brazilian book market as well as the International Publishers Association.
Pansa also spoke at two literacy sessions, one focussing on the book market situation in Colombia and Brazil and the other looking at the Ibero-American region alongside speakers from the Regional Center for Book Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLALC), CAF and the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI). That discussion saw Pansa underline the importance of reading and closed with the signing of an agreement with the CAF to develop initiatives across the region.
On the signing of the MoU, IPA President Karine Pansa said: “Reading plays a crucial role in educational, social and economic development. It is not only an essential tool for education and personal development, but also a means to preserve and disseminate cultural identity, encourage critical thinking and strengthen social cohesion. Through reading, we promote access to knowledge, encourage creativity and build more inclusive and equitable societies.”
As part of her international agenda, Pansa attended the inauguration of the Chinese Cultural Exhibition Tour in Latin America. Established in 2023, this platform fosters cultural exchange and trade between China and Latin America. Organized by our member, the Publishers Association of China (PAC) and other departments, and executed by Xiamen International Book Company, it focuses on sectors like publishing, animation, video games, and film. Each year, Chinese cultural institutions are invited to Latin America to promote copyright cooperation and trade.
During the São Paulo International Book Fair, Pansa was involved in another launch – a new guide published by the Brazilian Book Chamber (CBL) on publishing and sustainability. At the launch, industry leaders emphasized the importance of environmental, social, and governance practices for the future of publishing, offering guidance for more sustainable business strategies. The SDG Guide provides practical tools to help publishers integrate SDG initiatives into their operations, offering clear guidance on sustainability and references for further exploration.
Additionally, Pansa had the opportunity to present the work of IPA with the UN around the SDG Publishers Compact and WIPO on the Accessible Books Charter and other initiatives. The São Paulo International Book Fair had Colombia as their Guest of Honor and alongside a beautiful presentation of their books and culture, a full professional programme took place. Pansa moderated the panel “Reading in Brazil and Colombia: demand, market, and government,” where reading habits and book purchasing trends in both countries were thoroughly discussed.
Finally, Pansa participated in a PublisHer session looking at the role of National and International Associations and Networks in Career, Team, and Market Development. The panel featured CBL (Fernanda Garcia and Sevani Matos), Brazilian Association of Books and Educational Content – Abrelivros – (Renata Muller), and IPA, (Karine Pansa), aiming to show the difficulty of advocating for change on an individual level. This called for the further strengthening of networks and associations in the sector.
IPA’s involvement at the São Paulo International Book Fair underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing the publishing industry. The discussions on literacy, sustainability, and inclusivity highlighted the need for strong networks and partnerships. The fair not only celebrated literature but also set the stage for future initiatives that prioritize education, diversity, and sustainable development globally.