International ISBN Agency – our solidarity with Ukraine

iia — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 15:11:35 +0000

The images of the death, maiming and devastation wrought on the civilians of Ukraine, their homes, hospitals and cultural buildings following the pitiless invasion by Russia have been seared into our minds. This totally unprovoked war on a sovereign, independent country is completely and universally deplored and condemned. It threatens the foundations of democracy and disregards and violates human rights.

Alongside all participants of the book sector – authors, contributors, publishers, librarians, retailers, printers and distributors – we call for immediate ceasefire, Russian withdrawal and lasting peace. The International ISBN Agency and the wider ISBN agency community stand in solidarity with our colleagues at the ISBN Agency of Ukraine who, remarkably, continue to provide advice and support to publishers in their country.

We send our thoughts and full support to the people of Ukraine.

Thu, 03/10/2022 - 15:11

ISBN Annual General Meeting takes place in Rabat

iia — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 09:25:23 +0000

ISBN Annual General Meeting takes place in Rabat

The 2023 Annual General Meeting took place on 12 and 13 September in Rabat, Morocco. This was the second in-person meeting following a two-year hiatus during the Covid pandemic. The meeting welcomed 47 delegates representing mostly ISBN agencies across the world, with people from key publishing industry organisations also present.

The meeting was hosted by the Bibliothèque Nationale du Royaume du Maroc (the National Library of Morocco), which runs the ISBN Agency and which worked so hard to produce and lively and interesting Annual General Meeting (AGM). We thank them for their exceptional efforts in making the meeting such a successful event.

It is especially impressive and considerate this year, given that only a few days before the AGM Morocco suffered a devastating earthquake. You can read the International ISBN Agency's message about the earthquake and our Statement of Solidarity here.

The 47 delegates we welcomed were from 34 different organisations, 30 of which were ISBN agencies, along with the IPA, the International ISMN Agency (2 delegates) and GS1. Indeed, our meeting was as usual held in collaboration with the International ISMN Agency, who held their own AGM on 14 September. We are grateful for this continued and fruitful cooperation.

The delegates discussed topics as diverse as Artificial Intelligence, publishing trends in Morocco and an agency training programme, as well as the statutory, formal part of the Annual General Meeting.

We now look forward to the 2024 event, which was announced as being held in Paris, France at the kind invitation of AFNIL, which runs the France ISBN Agency.

Wed, 10/04/2023 - 10:25