IBNA: According to news headquarters of the summit, Dr. Mohammad-Reza Majidi added that the need for holding such summits has been felt among international cultural bodies, in general, and Islamic cultural organizations, in specific.

He went on to say that cultural presence in international arenas requires comprehensive arrangements and programming. "Islamic Republic of Iran's innovation in arranging the summit can set up the framework for the presence of Islamic cultural publishers in the world".

He marked the growth of virtual media in the last two decades in Islamic countries and noted that publishers in such countries are still adamant in pursuing written publications so far as "books are one of the most important means for the transfer of ideas and Islamic countries should not neglect this fact."

Majidi underlined the print, publication and distribution monopoly in the current world and stated that it is very complex and old and unsupported efforts by individual countries and publishers are not expected to be very prolific.

He regarded that anti-religious actions in the world are an undeniable fact which should be countered by Islamic publishers logically and rationally.

Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Islamic Republic of Iran to UNESCO said "the unique God with his unique book and religion approximates us."

He further insisted that organizers of the summit may employ the scientific, educational and cultural organizations of the UNESCO and other international foundations for their further steps so far as such organizations are aimed at propagation of science and knowledge in the world and the summit's theme is compatible with their organizational objectives.

He finally expressed hope that arrangement of such summits and conferences for convening Islamic publishers will promise a more effective presence for Islamic publishers in international arena.
 
The first International Summit of Islamic Publishers will be held in Tehran next April by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. According to the secretary of the summit, it will be attended by a number of the greatest Islamic publishers in the world.