The 2025 London Book Fair drew around 30,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibitors, creating a vibrant platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas and discuss pressing global issues.
Among the standout sessions was "Turning the Page: Publishing's Role in Keeping the Focus on Sustainability," held on 13 March. Moderated by Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Publishing Perspectives, the session featured Gvantsa Jobava, President of the International Publishers Association, and Mary Glenn, Chief of United Nations Publications.
The discussion explored the publishing industry's role in driving sustainable change in times of increased mis-and disinformation, addressing challenges across acquisitions, marketing, distribution, and measuring impact. Ms. Jobava highlighted successful international initiatives by publishers on the IPA SDG Dashboard, while Ms. Glenn emphasized the importance of continuing to align publishing efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals during the remaining five years until 2030.
Mary Glenn also took the opportunity to engage with key organizations and publishers during the event. These meetings reinforced partnerships aimed at advancing global sustainability efforts and expanding the reach of UN Publications.
Glenn's participation underscored the Organization's commitment to raising awareness of critical global priorities through its extensive catalog of publications and initiatives.
In addition to her panel participation, Glenn led discussions on the SDG Publishers Compact, a collaborative initiative between the UN and the International Publishers Association. The compact encourages publishers to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with over 350 publishers already on board. Glenn's work continues to build momentum, ensuring that publishers remain at the forefront of promoting diversity, literacy, and sustainable practices.
The session and related engagements at the London Book Fair provided an invaluable platform to spotlight the publishing industry's impact on global sustainability.
As the fair concluded, attendees reflected on the critical role publishers play in shaping narratives that inspire change and empower future generations.
