Jakarta is ready to be the host of the 33rd International Publishers Congress

Home to more than ten million inhabitants, with many coming from other cities, provinces, and countries, Jakarta has become the nation’s melting pot, the center for literacy, culture, and the arts. The capital of Indonesia was recently appointed a UNESCO City of Literature in 2021 and is getting ready to host the 33rd International Publishers Association’s (IPA) Congress with the theme of “Reading Matters: Embracing The Future.”

In collaboration with the Indonesian Publisher’s Association (Ikapi), an organization representing more than 2000 publishers from around the country, and the International Publishers Association (IPA) team, the Jakarta Book City Committee has prepared a 3-day congress with an exciting program on the latest issues, changes, and challenges facing the publishing industry. This Congress gathers some of the top publishing industry experts, government officials, and academics who will discuss issues like Artificial Intelligence and Publishing; Books for Children: Future-proofing tomorrow’s readers; Transformation: Future of Creative Industries & Content Development; and many more.

This Congress is part of Jakarta’s ongoing efforts to host more book-related activities within the city, between cities, and between countries. This is in line with the congress’ theme for the year and Jakarta’s commitment after being appointed as a UNESCO City of Literature.

For the first time ever, the Congress will be free of charge, with delegates also being offered a range of competitive accommodation packages.

The programme includes keynote speeches from the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Daren Tang, and award-winning Japanese author, Natsuo Kirino. Speakers include Jesús Badenes (Planeta Group), Gabriella Page-Fort (HarperOne), and Adi Ekatama (Gramedia).

Panel discussions will cover a broad range of subjects, from Artificial Intelligence to the impact of technology on the freedom to publish. Other issues that will be covered include sustainability in publishing, diversity, and inclusion, and the power of translations. The Gala dinner will include the 2022 IPA Prix Voltaire ceremony.

“Jakarta, as the center and the starting point of the Indonesian publishing industry, is committed to making sure that books play an important role in the lives of Jakartans,” says Laura Prinsloo, Chair of the Organizing Committee.

With an area spanning around 661.5 km², Jakarta’s capability as a modern megacity more than capable of hosting international events should not be in doubt. Jakarta’s transportation system serves 30,000,000 people and is the winner of the 2021 Sustainable Transport Award. Beyond being supported by adequate infrastructure and transportation, Jakarta also regularly hosts the Indonesia International Book Fair (IIBF). This annual international event has been held 41 times—and will be held from 9-13 November 2022 this year in conjunction with the 33rd International Publishers Congress.

All the parties involved are ready to welcome both local and international guests to the 33rd IPA Congress. According to Arys Hilman Nugraha, the President of Ikapi, the book industry will never be the same again in the face of the technological disruption accelerated by the pandemic. Both the development of technology and global living conditions post-pandemic have presented new challenges to the industry. From platform development issues, copyright issues, new opportunities and book distribution, these are all topics to be discussed at the upcoming Congress so that everyone involved in the field and regulators understand the current and future development of the publishing industry better.

Anies Baswedan, the Governor of Jakarta, adds that the appointment of Jakarta as the host of the 33rd International Publishers Congress is something to celebrate as the result of the collaboration of the public, experts, and the Provincial Government of Jakarta in developing the book industry and literacy. The Congress is a defining stage in the development of the nation’s book industry. The success of the programs being held will become the city’s dedication to Indonesia and the world as an attempt to develop the people’s – both local and global – well-being through books.

This is a new initiative where the Provincial Government of Jakarta will partner with the public, publishers, community organizations, and literacy volunteers to realize the aforementioned mission through book-related programs that are grouped into four pillars: Developing Book Communities, Meeting of Book and Content Stakeholders Strengthening Culture to Meet the Demographic Bonus and Reinforcing the Literacy and Content Ecosystem. Today, Jakarta is ready to become the host for the international publishers 33rd Congress and work together to facilitate progress in the publishing industry, both on a local and international scale.

All information is available on www.publisherscongress.com
Programme at publisherscongress.com/this_program
Registration at publisherscongress.com/this_tickets