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Busan Confirmed as Host City for the ‘2026 World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)’

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Connecting Libraries, Cities, and People!

Mayor Park Heong-joon of Busan Metropolitan City announced that Busan has secured the hosting rights for the '2026 World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)', the world’s largest library event organized by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is a global organization representing 1,700 libraries from 150 countries. As a global voice for library and information professionals, it annually hosts the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) to promote the advancement of libraries worldwide.

A total of 13 countries submitted letters of intent to host the event, and Busan was ultimately selected.

Overview of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
• History: Established in 1927
• Member Countries: 150 countries, 1,700 member libraries
• Website: www.ifla.org
• Purpose: Promoting the interests and advancement of libraries worldwide
• Structure: General Assembly, Council, Governing Board, Executive Committee, Professional Committees, Regional Meetings
• Membership: Includes voting association and society members; individual memberships also available
• Recent Host Cities: 2023 Rotterdam (Netherlands), 2024 Brisbane (Australia), 2025 Astana (Kazakhstan)

The World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) is the world’s largest library conference, bringing together over 5,000 participants from around 150 countries. Attendees include representatives of national and city libraries, information experts, policymakers, academics, and civil society organizations, who gather to discuss global access to information, knowledge sharing, and the future of libraries.

With Busan being selected as host, the congress will be held in South Korea for the first time in 20 years since the 2006 Seoul event, and is expected to significantly enhance Busan’s profile as the “City of Libraries.”

The 2026 WLIC in Busan will serve as a collaborative platform for exploring the future roles and social value of libraries in the digital era. It will address global topics such as artificial intelligence, the metaverse, open access to information, data sovereignty, inclusive access to information, and bridging the digital divide — all set against the backdrop of the city of Busan.

As a hub of Korean Wave (K-content), Busan also plans to offer global participants a unique opportunity to experience the diversity and dynamism of Korean culture.

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The event will take place from August 10 to 13, 2026, across four days at BEXCO and various libraries throughout Busan. It will feature academic presentations, sectional meetings, business meetings, and other programs.

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Overview of the 2026 WLIC in Busan
• Period: August 10 (Mon) to August 13 (Thu), 2026 [4 days]
※ Satellite events on August 9 and August 14 [2 days]
• Programs: Academic presentations, sectional meetings, business meetings, networking events, library tours
• Budget: 5 billion KRW (1.5 billion from the central government, 500 million from Busan, 3 billion from IFLA)
• Host: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
• Organizers: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korean Library Association, Busan Organizing Committee for WLIC
• Sponsors: Busan Metropolitan City, Korea Tourism Organization, Busan Tourism Organization

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Meanwhile, IFLA stated that Busan's selection was based on its extensive experience hosting international events.

Since submitting its bid in April, the city, along with BEXCO and the Busan Tourism Organization, has actively engaged in prompt responses and site inspections. Busan has proven its capacity to successfully host international mega-events — such as international film festivals, art fairs, and e-sports competitions — backed by world-class MICE infrastructure, including exhibition facilities, hotels, and transportation systems.

In particular, Busan emphasized its rich reading culture ecosystem — including the National Assembly Library in Busan, the city’s central Busan Library, bookstores, and citizens all connected through books.

Additionally, Busan’s unique reading programs, such as the “Deullak-Nallak” library designed to foster children's creativity and imagination as a key anchor of a 15-minute city, and the newly launched “Sea Library” program, received high praise from IFLA officials.

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Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “We will successfully host next year’s WLIC in Busan, the port of knowledge where libraries, books, cities, and people are interconnected, and set a new benchmark for the World Library and Information Congress.”