CISAC marks 100 years with landmark General Assembly in Paris
Media accreditation now open for in-person and online access
Paris – 5 May 2026 – The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) marks its 100th anniversary with its annual General Assembly in Paris on June 4, bringing together global leaders from the creative industries at a pivotal moment for creators’ rights.
Founded in Paris in 1926, CISAC represents more than 5 million creators through 227 member societies in 111 countries and plays a central role in shaping global copyright systems to ensure creators are paid for the use of their work. CISAC members collect over €14bn annually as royalties on behalf of affiliated creators and publishers.
ABBA co-founder and CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus will open the event with a keynote address, setting the tone for discussions on the future of human creativity, the impact of technology, and the protection of creators’ rights.
Sessions will run throughout the day exploring the following themes, “AI and human creativity: The creators' perspective”, “Our present: The creative economy put to the test” and “Our future: Public policies and cultural support as an antidote”.
Confirmed speakers include former Spotify chief economist Will Page, music creator and member of the House of Lords Kevin Brennan, copyright expert and former director of the World Intellectual Property Organization Dr Mihály Ficsor, South African singer, songwriter and CISAC Vice-President Yvonne Chaka Chaka OIS and French visual artist Hervé di Rosa.
CISAC Director General Gadi Oron said, “This centenary milestone is a defining moment for CISAC and for creators worldwide. A hundred years after our founding, the challenges remain strikingly similar: ensuring that those who create are properly recognised and remunerated for their work. What has changed is the scale and speed of transformation, driven by digital platforms and artificial intelligence. As we enter our second century, our responsibility is to ensure that innovation never comes at the expense of human creators.”
A century of progress
To mark its centenary, CISAC is unveiling a new historical timeline (downloadable here) tracing the evolution of creators’ rights — from the first authors’ societies in the 18th century to today’s AI-driven landscape — highlighting how successive waves of technological change have reshaped how creative works are used and remunerated.
The historical timeline is featured in “THE CISAC STORY: 100 years in the service of authors and creators worldwide” a brand-new book tracing the history of CISAC, collective management and international cooperation among authors societies. Attendees of the General Assembly on June 4 will receive a hardcover edition, with online publication expected soon after.
General Assembly at the heart of celebrations
The 2026 General Assembly will take place in Paris — where CISAC was founded — and is co-hosted by five French authors’ societies: ADAGP, La SAIF, LaScam, SACD and SACEM, representing a broad range of creative repertoires across visual arts, audiovisual, performing arts and music.
Held at the Pavillon Cambon in Paris’ 1st arrondissement, in the Opéra district, the General Assembly will convene more than 300 participants from around the world. Discussions will focus on international cooperation, fair remuneration in the digital environment, and emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence.
The event will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation into French and Spanish, CISAC’s official languages, via headsets, alongside livestream access for those unable to attend in person.
Media Accreditation
Media accreditation for the CISAC 2026 General Assembly in Paris is now open. Journalists are invited to apply via this link to attend in person or online. Further details on the programme and access will be shared upon confirmation.