23 April 2022

Books have long embodied the human capacity to conjure up worlds, both real and imagined, giving voice to the diversity of human experience. They help us share ideas, obtain information and inspire admiration for different cultures, enabling far-reaching forms of dialogue between people across space and time.

The potential of books to advance individual fulfilment and create social change is undeniable. In the words of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: “To choose to write is to reject silence.”

This is why UNESCO is resolutely committed to promoting access to books and reading - for example, through our World Book Capital programme. In 2022, the Mexican city of Guadalajara is taking up the mantle of World Book Capital, with a year-long programme that focuses on the role of books and reading in triggering social change, combating violence and building a culture of peace.

Despite the importance of books in sustaining social wellbeing, the publishing industry is currently facing major upheavals - most notably the digital transformation. These challenges became all too clear during COVID-19, when falling revenues amplified the vulnerability of authors and book sellers, like other creative professionals across the value chain. Cultural diversity was also threatened as the number of titles published ineluctably diminished.

In uncertain times, we must cherish and defend books as symbols of hope and dialogue. This means standing in solidarity with the professionals who disseminate our literary heritage - writers, editors, publishers and translators. As they build bridges across continents and cultures, these professionals must be protected, and their value acknowledged.

UNESCO is firmly committed to this goal. At a time when digital technology is changing the face of the publishing industry, we advocate for the fair remuneration of authors and the protection of cultural diversity. We support the work of publishers through undertakings such as partnerships with the International Authors Forum, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, and the International Publishers Association.

On World Book and Copyright Day, I call upon all of UNESCO's partners to share the message that books are a force to address contemporary challenges, to understand political and economic realities, and to combat inequalities and misinformation. Storytelling is an incredibly effective tool when it comes to educating younger generations.

Indeed, books are vital vehicles to access, transmit and promote education, science, culture and information worldwide. For this reason, every year, on 23 April - a date that marks the departure of three great authors of universal literature, Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega - we celebrate their captivating power to spark innovation, generate knowledge and change minds.