The Sixth Sustainability Summit, led by Antje Watermann of UN Publications, featured a keynote address by United Nations Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming. Fleming highlighted the vital role of publishing and books in combating mis- and disinformation globally.
A central focus of the event was the launch of the Pledge for Gender Equality in Publishing, an initiative developed by the EU 4 Gender Equality Programme and the International Publishers Association. IPA President Gvantsa Jobava outlined the pledge’s five foundational pillars: leadership, safe workplaces, advancing equality across the publishing ecosystem, amplifying women’s voices, and turning commitment into action.
The summit also showcased new tools for environmental responsibility in the industry. Laurène Eichner of the Syndicat national de l’édition (SNE) presented Responsible Chapters, a program designed to help publishers measure and reduce carbon emissions. This initiative includes a carbon footprint calculator, an e-learning program on editorial and distribution choices, and a life-cycle assessment that considers the entire lifespan of a book.
Additional announcements included the launch of a new Greek SDG Book Club and a contribution from Initiative 18, an organization advocating for an 18th Sustainable Development Goal dedicated to fair and sustainable media. The event also hosted a meeting of the IPA’s Inclusive Publishing and Literacy Committee, where delegates discussed progress in literacy, accessibility, and diversity.
Complementary events at the Frankfurt Book Fair, organized by UN Women and PublisHer, further addressed the role of women in publishing. PublisHer is an initiative founded by former IPA President Bodour Al Qasimi.