National libraries are entering a new era in which memory, open knowledge and artificial intelligence converge to transform access to information across Africa. Hosted by the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat on 10–11 June 2026, the African National Libraries Forum will bring together leading experts and institutions to discuss digital sovereignty, heritage preservation, AI, and open access. The forum’s objectives are to strengthen cooperation among African national libraries and to establish them as pivotal players in knowledge governance and innovation. Gaelle Bequet, Director of the ISSN International Centre, will be contributing to Panel 3, ‘National Libraries, Open Access and Innovation’, with a presentation on African journals, scientific visibility and access. Her talk will highlight the role of the ISSN network in enhancing the discoverability and international recognition of African scholarly publications.

Since 2018, the National Library of Norway and Stanford University Library (USA) have been collaborating to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence in archives, libraries, and museums (LAM). In 2024, these two institutions signed an agreement with the aim of establishing an association that will gradually be set up and ultimately operate on the basis of contributions from its members.

In December 2025, the ISSN International Centre signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the AI4LAM association. As a member, the ISSN International Centre will benefit from the work and tools developed by the network’s members, and will participate in working groups dealing with topics related to its 2029 action plan. Further information will be provided when the new AI4LAM association website is operational.

El Centro Internacional del ISSN se complace en anunciar que los Emiratos Árabes Unidos abrirán su propio centro nacional del ISSN en el 21 de octubre de 2025. Este nuevo centro servirá como punto de contacto nacional para las publicaciones seriadas y otros recursos continuos publicados en los Emiratos Árabes Unidos. Apoyará a editoriales, bibliotecas e instituciones culturales con la asignación de números ISSN y el suministro de metadatos bibliográficos de alta calidad.

Esta incorporación reforzará la red ISSN global y mejorará la visibilidad y la facilidad de búsqueda de las publicaciones periódicas de los EAU, tanto impresas como digitales, en los catálogos de bibliotecas, los servicios de indexación y las cadenas de distribución.

Lea el comunicado de prensa (en inglés)