Thank you for making the
IWC 2025 a success!
IWC 2025 Highlights
170
Delegates
200
Attendees
80
Countries
With over 170 delegates from more than 80 countries worldwide, including guests from international organisations such as WIPO and UNESCO, CLASS proudly hosted the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisation (IFRRO) World Congress (IWC) 2025 from 28 – 30 October 2025.
With discussions held on the various socio-political and cultural issues affecting authors, publishers and the wider literary works community, the congress proved to be thought-provoking, providing attendees fresh insights into copyright developments on an international scale. The many advancements in Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) technology also added depth to the several dialogue sessions held on the ethical, legal and licensing issues on copyright matters. Not forgetting the various workshops on related topics such as advocacy and public lending rights issues that took place throughout the congress, the IWC 2025 was highly informative, providing all those in attendance with valuable key-takeaways.
To read more on the IWC 2025, read our dedicated page article by clicking on the link here, or scroll through our event gallery below.
Event Gallery
A Word from CLASS
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Hosting the IWC 2025 represents yet another significant milestone in CLASS’s short and humble journey. We are thankful for the assistance that we have received from our various partners and supporters, without whom this event would not be possible. Not to mention the team from the IFRRO Secretariat who have guided us along the way, we remain ever grateful and will treasure the relationships forged along this short, yet incredible experience.
CLASS would also like to give special thanks to our colleagues from the Ministry of Law, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board for their kind assistance and support throughout the entirety of the IWC 2025.
Our Guest-of-Honour
CLASS wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr Edwin Tong SC - Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Singapore, for gracing the event as our Guest-of-Honour.
As part of his speech, Mr Tong detailed how balanced copyright practices continues to play a part in fostering creativity, saying, “Fair compensation for creators ensures the sustainability of the creative economy. It’s a virtuous cycle. If you do not fairly compensate creators for what they produce, after a while, they will drop off the ecosystem. There will no longer be good creators.”
For a full excerpt on Mr Tong's speech, please click here.
Keynote Speakers
Ms Sylvie Forbin, Deputy Director General, Copyright and Creative Industries Sector, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, Director General, African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) will be our distinguished keynote speakers for the congress.
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Deputy Director General, WIPO
Ms Sylvie Forbin
As part of her keynote address, Ms Forbin detailed how that with arisen challenges resulting from the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the globe, contrasting approaches utilised to deal with such issues could undermine cooperation across international borders. She highlighted how a streamlined, universal approach to AI Governance is a key enabler of trust and worldwide cooperation, allowing for innovation to serve the common good. Ms Forbin further mentioned how laws governing copyright should remain human-centric, and that frameworks should continue to be expanded and enhanced to ensure proper remuneration to human creators, of whom copyright are the intended beneficiaries.
Director-General, ARIPO
Mr. Bemanya Twebaze
In his keynote address, Mr Twebaze noted how renewed integrative action was imperative amidst globalised innovative ecosystems. He mentioned how the near 20-year partnership between IFRRO and ARIPO was built on the foundation of empowering CMOs, copyright infrastructures, and fair remuneration across the 22 member states of ARIPO. Mr Twebaze further declared that the mission of ARIPO, in partnership with IFRRO, would be to ensure that the new wave pf AI growth currently being faced by society compliments human ingenuity instead of undermining it.
Programme Details
The Grand Hyatt Singapore served as the venue for the IWC 2025.
Social Events
From local delicacies such as Laksa to places of interest such as the newly opened Rainforest Wild Asia, you will never run out of things to see and do in Singapore.
Click here for a specially curated list which CLASS has prepared to make your trip an unforgettable experience.
Event Schedule
The latest schedule for the congress is accessible here.
Additionally, CLASS encourages all delegates to download the following app via the powerpoint attached here to make your visit to the Singapore Flyer as part of the Welcome Cocktail activity more engaging and enjoyable.
Recommended Reads
The CLASS team has additionally created a list of engaging reads for delegates to get a taste of our local literature culture.
Please click on the link here to access this list.
Accommodation*
The Grand Hyatt Singapore will serve as accommodation for IWC delegates. It is located at 10 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228211. For more information on the hotel, please click here.
Additionally, The Royal Plaza on Scotts Hotel will be serving as a budget-friendly accommodation alternative for delegates. Located at 25 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228220, more information on the hotel can be found here.
*Detailed instructions on how to book accommodation at special negotiated rates will be provided by the IFRRO Secretariat.
Transport
From Changi International Airport, both the Grand Hyatt Singapore and Royal Scotts on Plaza are approximately 20 minutes away by car. Alternatively, the journey by public transport will last between 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the route taken. To plan your journey, please click here.
Please do note that Uber is not available in Singapore. Alternatives include Grab, Gojek, Zig, Tada Mobility and Ryde. More information regarding these options are available in the link above.
Important Travel Information
Please note that you must submit your SGAC prior to your arrival in Singapore. You may do so by clicking on the link provided above under the "Programme Details" section or by clicking here.
Additionally, a visa and other essential travel documents may be required when travelling to Singapore. For more details, please visit the ICA website at https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore/visa_requirements.
Alternatively, you may visit your country's/nearest Singapore embassy for more details.
If you require assistance in applying for a visa, please contact Veraliah at veraliah.bueno@ifrro.org or Monica at monica@class-singapore.com.
Additionally, for more information regarding tourism in Singapore, please check out the following information below.
Well-known for its local food, Singapore is also home to many scenic spots and flora and fauna. Along with world famous places of interest, it will become a hard task of running out of things to do. For a comprehensive guide, please visit our official partner for the event, The Singapore Tourism Board's official travel website at https://www.visitsingapore.com/en/.
Additionally, if you may be travelling with any accessibility requirements, please consult
SG Enable's Leisure & Recreation section.
Our Partners
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