Dear Delegates,

On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia and The Government of Malaysia I welcome all delegates to the World Library and Information Congress, 84th IFLA General Conference and Assembly from 24th–30th August 2018. We are indeed very proud that the National Library of Malaysia and the Librarians Association of Malaysia will host this prestigious congress at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. I am extremely proud that the perseverance of the Librarians Association of Malaysia has finally paid off when Malaysia won the bid at their third attempt to host the 84th IFLA WLIC 2018 in Kuala Lumpur.

Among the objectives of hosting the IFLA WLIC 2018 are to strengthen Malaysia’s professional lead-ership in promoting libraries and librarianship at the national, regional and international level and to promote an invaluable opportunity for Malaysian librarians to showcase and share best practices in the field of Information Management and Information Communications Technology or ICT. Through IFLA WLIC 2018, Malaysia will be seen as a leader in cultivating a reading culture as well as providing a platform to advocate and promote the importance of library and information services that will result in social, cultural and economic growth in the country. This has its connectivity with the theme of the IFLA WLIC 2018 which is “Transform Libraries, Transform Societies“.

The award-winning purpose-built Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is the host venue for IFLA WLIC 2018 and is Malaysia’s premier facility known for its highly knowledgeable and professional team committed to delivering flexible, innovative and value-add solutions, customized in a strategically located, well maintained and world-class venue. Overlooking the iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers and the 50-acre KLCC Park, the Centre is sited right in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre where delegates attending the congress at the Centre are spoilt for choice given the varied and exciting range of recreational entertainment, food and beverages as well as accommodation options within walking distance.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, blending gleaming skyscrapers with colonial architecture, charming and friendly locals and a myriad of natural attractions. Anchoring the sprawling Kuala Lumpur City Centre are the iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers. Kuala Lumpur offers so much more attractions for those who want to further explore into this fascinating and vibrant city… from the colourful Petaling Street market in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur and the famous Sultan Abdul Samad building in the city’s colonial quarter which is situated not far from the Kuala Lumpur Library with the historical Merdeka Square or the Independence Square adjacent to it.

Kuala Lumpur is truly a microcosm of Asia. It is multicultural and multi religious blending the various of all Asian cultures. Kuala Lumpur also provides you as a first time visitor a gastronomic experience of many varied cuisine be it Malay, Chinese, Indian or western. We can assure the Congress partici-pants that you will enjoy the warm hospitality of the Malaysian people.

I would like to invite you to visit Kuala Lumpur and participate in the congress which will be a very important event both for Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur awaits your arrival and I would like to wish you Selamat Datang and safe journey to Kuala Lumpur.

Yours Sincerely,

 

YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Adbul Aziz

Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia