The International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations World Congress and General Assembly 2026
Dr Sharon Wong, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS) and Vice-Chair of the IFRRO Asia Pacific Committee, attended the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO) World Congress and General Assembly 2026. Hosted by the Centro Colombiano de Derechos Reprográficos y Digitales (CDR), the global congress took place in Bogotá, Colombia.
Convening over 150 delegates from 68 reproduction rights organisations across 44 countries and territories, the Congress engaged in strategic discussions under the central theme: “Beyond Borders: Balancing Local Rights and Global Reach in the Age of AI”.
The Congress provided a meaningful platform for international exchange and discourse regarding evolving copyright frameworks, while addressing the significant opportunities and challenges faced by authors, publishers, and rights holders globally. Given the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, high-level discussions focused on the strategic and operational implications of generative technologies for copyright protection, collective rights management, and licensing mechanisms.
Dr. Wong was invited to deliver three presentations to share insights regarding copyright policy developments and the work of HKRRLS in Hong Kong. During her address on the Promotion of Local Publications and Reading Culture Programme, Dr. Wong highlighted the strategic collaboration between HKRRLS, the local publishing sector, and the Hong Kong Public Libraries. She underscored how this synergy actively nurtures a vibrant reading culture while providing tangible financial support to local creators and publishers. In her sessions focused on artificial intelligence, Dr. Wong stressed the importance of safeguarding the legitimate rights of creators and publishers amidst technological innovation, while outlining the proactive collective licensing strategic plan developed by HKRRLS for the generative era.
The World Congress reinforced essential cross-border dialogue, deepened HKRRLS’s collaboration with global collective management organisations, and paved the way for future initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable and balanced global copyright ecosystem.
