Malaysia booked as host for World Library and Information Congress

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has announced that Malaysia will host to the 84th IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in 2018. IFLA made the announcement at the 82nd WLIC, which is being held in the city of Columbus, Ohio in the United States of America. The Malaysian delegation was present to receive the great news on the announcement made by IFLA as a triumphant moment after working together with its partners to secure the bid to host the congress in 2018. “The WLIC 2018 adds to the list of the growing number of world conferences that have selected Malaysia as the host country” said Datuk Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of MyCEB. He added: “In a time where Malaysia is already being recognised for its effort to elevate the quality of Malaysian education offerings, we are giving rise to a platform that provides the opportunity for delegates both locally and globally. This will allow them to network, raise awareness and support a library and information profession which anticipates and responds to the needs of communities.” The WLIC is an international flagship professional and trade event for the library and information services sector. The bid was led by the Librarians Association of Malaysia (PPM), with strong support from two agencies under Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, National Library of Malaysia (NLM) and Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), along with Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). WLIC 2018 is expected to generate RM44.4m in economic impact to the country and fully maximise Malaysia’s growth potential as an international education hub and first-world knowledge economy. The eight-day annual congress is expected to draw over 3,000 participants from more than 100 countries.