14/07/2026
The 35th International Publishers Congress in Kuala Lumpur was an inspiring reminder of what makes the publishing industry truly global—not just the books we create, but the people, ideas, and collaborations that bring them to life.
Representing PHI Learning at the Congress gave us the opportunity to connect with publishers, university presses, publishing associations, rights professionals, and industry leaders from across the world. Every conversation offered a fresh perspective on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of publishing.
One discussion that particularly resonated with us was around artificial intelligence and intellectual property management. A key takeaway was that while AI is becoming an indispensable tool for discovery, accessibility, and innovation, its development must be grounded in respect for intellectual property. As publishing continues to embrace new technologies, safeguarding authors' and publishers' rights remains fundamental to ensuring a sustainable and ethical future for our industry.
A special thank you to everyone we had the pleasure of meeting at the Congress. We especially enjoyed connecting with Agata Mrva-Montoya (Sydney University Press), Kathy Bail (UNSW Press), Edmund Wee (Singapore Book Publishers Association), Denise Sia (Pelangi Publishing), Raymond Yeo (Kualiti Books), Raihana Sulaiman (UMK Press), Andrew Chong (Gerakbudaya), and Wedha Stratesti Yudha (Gramedia International). Thank you for the engaging conversations, for sharing your perspectives on academic publishing, university presses, regional publishing landscapes, and the evolving needs of readers, educators, and institutions. We greatly appreciated learning more about your organizations and look forward to staying connected in the years ahead.
It was also a privilege for our Managing Director, Ms. Pushpita Ghosh, to meet Karine Pansa of the International Publishers Association (IPA) and Publishing Director of Girassol Brasil. As one of the publishing industry's most respected global leaders, Karine has been a strong advocate for freedom to publish, literacy, and international collaboration. Their meeting reflected the shared commitment of publishers worldwide to strengthening knowledge exchange and advancing the future of publishing through cooperation across borders.
Another highlight of the Congress was the opportunity to meet Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi and hear more about Sharjah's continued commitment to advancing the global publishing ecosystem. With Sharjah set to host the next International Publishers Congress, we are excited to see the publishing community come together once again to continue the conversations and collaborations that began in Kuala Lumpur.
We extend our sincere thanks to the International Publishers Association, the organizers, volunteers, speakers, and every delegate who contributed to making this Congress such a valuable platform for learning, dialogue, and international partnership.
We return from Kuala Lumpur with new ideas, meaningful connections, and renewed enthusiasm for contributing to the future of academic and professional publishing. Until we meet again in Sharjah!
