Next IPA Congress to take place in Lillehammer, Norway

Lillehammer in Norway is to host the 33rd International Publishers Congress in 2020.

The bi-annual conference run by the International Publishers Association (IPA) is currently drawing to a close in New Delhi, India, where it heard Bloomsbury executive director Richard Charkin’s thoughts on big tech companies and copyright and from IPA president Michiel Kolman who warned that publishers must shout more about their innovation if they wish to avoid conceding policy direction to the big tech companies.

The event also heard from Angela Gui, the daughter of Gui Minhai, the Swedish publisher and bookseller from Hong Kong, who is currently being held by the authorities in China for the second time after publishing gossipy books on Chinese politicians.

In an interview during a live Skype feed from London, Gui queried the Chinese Publishers Association's membership of the IPA. Her father was honoured with the 2018 IPA Prix Voltaire during the conference.
Summarising the New Delhi conference, Kolman said: “During our discussions, although I could feel some tension around embracing technology and disruption, there was also an exhilarating confidence about our future direction.”

Hugo Setzer, IPA Vice-President added: “We have heard many times about the social and economic importance of our work and during this Congress a compelling case was made for the value of publishing, highlighting our contribution to literacy, education, employment, the economy, and upholding of functioning democracies. I look forward to taking this message from India to Norway in 2020.”

Kristenn Einarsson, chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee and managing director of the Norwegian Publishers Association, said: “I am delighted that Lillehammer will host the 2020 IPA International Publishers Congress. This 32nd Edition will be tough act to follow but it has already sown many ideas for 2020.”