Following a proposal by the Government of Spain, supported by many other countries, the UNESCO General Conference decided, on 2 November 2001, that the Organisation would grant its moral and intellectual support to the conception and implementation of the World Book Capital City initiative, by inviting the international professional organisations of the book chain to work together for its concretisation.

Following a public call for candidatures, the nominating committee (formed of IPA, IFLA, IBF and UNESCO) meets in order to appoint a World Book Capital.

The nominating committee meets once every year at UNESCO headquarters, in Paris.
The nominating committee examines the cities' application files taking care, as far as possible, to ensure that the cities that are selected are equitably distributed in all the regions in the world. IPA made sure that respect for copyright and freedom of expression are among the nomination criteria.

The nomination does not imply for UNESCO any financial prize, but conquering the title of World Book Capital City represents an important symbolic acknowledgement, also effective, for the winner city, in terms of communication and promotion.