The International Publishers Association (IPA) is a federation of national, regional and specialist publishers’ associations. Its membership comprises more than 60 organisations from more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, IPA represents the interests of the publishing industry in international fora and wherever publishers’ interests are at stake.
IPA was founded in 1896 in Paris by the leading publishers at the time. Its initial aim was to ensure that countries throughout the world showed respect for copyright, and properly implemented the (then) new international copyright treaty, the “Berne Convention for the protection of literary and artistic works”. Until today, the promotion and defence of copyright is one of IPA’s main objectives.
Since its foundation, IPA also promotes and defends freedom to publish, a fundamental aspect of the human right to freedom of expression. Likewise, IPA stands for the promotion of literacy and reading, and has always been a meeting place for publishers to network, exchange views and conduct business.
As an industry association, IPA also deals with a number of other issues affecting publishers, from book fairs to standard developments.
IPA is an accredited non-governmental organisation (NGO) enjoying consultative relations with the United Nations.
