The 35th International Publishers Congress, held from 5–9 of July 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, marked a historic milestone as Malaysia hosted this prestigious event for the very first time. Over 500 delegates from 44 countries gathered, with leading participation from Malaysian publishers such as IMAN Publication, Karangkraf, and Mangosteeen, alongside Manés’s Managing Director, Ms. Lila Vee, and Publishing Director, Ms. Nirrosette.
The congress featured dynamic breakout sessions on pressing topics including AI, accessibility, freedom to publish, reading habits and cross-cultural storytelling. Among the highlights was the keynote address by Markus Dohle, founding past CEO of Penguin Random House. He traced three pivotal industry shifts — the rise of e-commerce in 1995, the advent of e-books in 2010, and the emergence of generative AI in 2025 — reminding us that, no matter the challenge, publishing has always found ways to adapt and thrive. His optimism was truly contagious.
The congress concluded with a powerful declaration: a commitment to defend ethical and responsible use of AI in publishing. We pledged to uphold transparency and editorial integrity while harnessing AI’s potential to enhance processes and broaden impact.
The 2-day congress was packed with knowledge and fresh insights for Manés’s directors, who knew very well that while the congress ends, the real work actually begins after.
“Technology is not the destination. Nor it is about publishing more books. The point is about creating readers.”
