Kuala Lumpur Declaration

We, the participants of the 35th International Publishers Congress in Kuala Lumpur, representing the global publishing community, reaffirm our shared commitment to the enduring value of publishing as a pillar of knowledge creation and exchange, culture, and democracy. In response to the opportunities and challenges discussed throughout the Congress, we adopt the following principles and actions:

1. Defending Ethical and Responsible AI in Publishing: We commit to upholding transparency, and editorial integrity in the age of AI, while harnessing its potential to improve publishing processes and impact. We call on AI developers and technology platforms to respect copyright frameworks by obtaining explicit authorization and ensuring fair remuneration before using publishers' proprietary content, and work with publishers to combat misinformation and safeguard public trust.
2. Defending the Freedom to Publish as the everyday responsibility of publishers: We reaffirm that freedom of expression, freedom to read and freedom to publish are non-negotiable and pledge to resist censorship, support persecuted publishers, and strengthen global solidarity initiatives.
3. Advancing Literacy and Reading Ecosystems: We recognize the urgent need to end the reading crisis and close the global literacy gap. We commit to working with governments, educators, and civil society to position literacy and reading for pleasure as a foundation of education, humanity, and social mobility.
4. Being Central to Educational policies: We call on global governments and institutions to engage the publishing community, facilitating policies and processes that strengthen the educational publishing ecosystem, respecting intellectual property, to achieve positive long-term results in educational outcomes.
5. Championing Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging: We commit to an inclusive publishing world, including a cultural, linguistic and demographic perspective, where our colleagues feel a sense of belonging and where inclusive publishers publish inclusive books for an inclusive readership. Moreover, we also promote the value of literature from indigenous and underrepresented languages which reflect the full diversity of human experience.
6. Embedding Accessibility and Inclusion: We will advance accessible publishing, leveraging new tools and standards to ensure that all readers, including print-disabled audiences, can fully participate in cultural and educational life.
7. Acting on the SDGs including Climate Responsibility: We recognize publishing's role in advancing climate awareness and the Sustainable Development Goals, committing to partnerships, business practices and works that promote informed public discourse and collective action.
8. Building Partnerships: We commit to building sectoral, national, regional and international partnerships to achieve these principles and actions.

Conclusion
Together, we reaffirm publishing's role as a trusted and foundational bridge between knowledge and society. We commit to building national, regional and international partnerships, innovation with integrity, collaboration across borders, and a shared responsibility to shape a more informed, inclusive, and sustainable future for readers everywhere.