Apologies to those who expect more from TNPS than a press release. Recovery is proving slower than I’d hoped (this TNPS post refers).

Whereas normally an IPA announcement as follows would warrant extra TNPS commentary and background, especially as it is timed to coincide with the Indonesia International Book Fair, on this occasion I’m going to invoke health grounds and choose the easy option and run the press release pretty much as it arrived.

The International Publishers Association has confirmed the details of its forthcoming 33rd International Publishers Congress with a full two-day programme of panel discussions as well as a gala dinner and awards ceremonies. The Congress will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia from 10-12 November under the theme Reading Matters: Embracing the Future.

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 will become a book sector hub for the week of the Congress with two other publishing related events taking place at the same time: the Indonesian International Book Fair, and Jakarta Content Week, JakTent.

IPA Vice-President, Karine Pansa, chair of the Congress programming committee said: We are so excited to be revealing the great line-up we have for this Congress. Combined with the free registration and great value accommodation packages we really want to bring our global publishing community back together in person.

Executive Chair of Jakarta Book City Committee, Laura Prinsloo added: Jakarta is looking forward to hosting the 33rd IPA Congress and is committed to give delegates an unforgettable experience of Jakarta during and after the congress through well-curated professional and cultural programs.

Details on the IPA website.