The Royal Thai Embassy in Paris has reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that on 27 June 2011, Bangkok has been designated World Book Capital 2013 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris. The city was selected because of its success in bringing together all the various stakeholders in the book supply chain and beyond, actors involved in the publication chain for a range of projects proposed, focus on community and the high level of its commitment through the proposed activities.
In this regard, Ms. Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, congratulated Bangkok for the preparations and commitment for a rich and varied programme that gives special emphasis to young people, marginalized groups and the development of reading for all. She further noted that with Thailand's cooperation and dialogue, at local, national and international levels, Bangkok’s programme responds perfectly to the objectives of the World Book Capital project.
The Selection Committee which designated Bangkok as World Book Capital selects the World Book Capital annually and comprises representatives from UNESCO, and the three main branches of the publishing world, including International Publishers Association, International Booksellers Federation and International Federation of Library Associations. The designated cities have proven to have committed themselves to promote books and reading as well as to highlight the vitality of literary creativity. Bangkok is the 13th World Book Capital following Madrid (2001), Alexandria (2002), New Delhi (2003), Antwerp (2004), Montreal (2005), Turin (2006), Bogota (2007), Amsterdam (2008), Beirut (2009), Ljubljana (2010), Buenos Aires (2011) and Yerevan (2012).
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th