H.H. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi Inaugurates 14th Sharjah Publishers Conference
Sharjah, The Gulf Observer: Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), officially inaugurated the 14th Sharjah Publishers Conference today at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Organized by SBA in collaboration with the International Publishers Association, the three-day event precedes the highly anticipated 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair, set to commence on Wednesday.
The conference gathered 1,065 publishers and literary agents from 108 countries, along with 74 prominent speakers, underscoring the event’s status as a significant global platform for knowledge exchange, industry networking, and exploring publishing collaborations.
In her opening address, Sheikha Bodour highlighted Sharjah’s commitment to fostering an inclusive global publishing community that champions cross-border cultural exchange. “The Sharjah Publishers Conference embodies our dedication to creating a publishing landscape that unites people across borders, celebrates diverse human stories, and ensures the industry evolves with integrity,” she stated.
The first day also included an awards ceremony honoring winners of the 3rd Sharjah Rights Connection Awards. Among the honorees were Turkey’s Kalem Agency, represented by founder Nermin Mollaoğlu, and Ahmed Bedeir of Egypt’s Dar El Shorouk, recognized for their contributions to publishing rights and translation. Additionally, Special Appreciation Awards were posthumously awarded to Bassam Chebaro, founder of Arab Scientific Publishers, and Bill Kennedy, founder of Avicenna Partnership Ltd., for their impactful roles in advancing global publishing.
Key industry discussions followed, featuring insights from Chantal Restivo-Alessi, Chief Digital Officer at HarperCollins, who discussed emerging trends, including the rise of “Glocal” publishing—a blend of local adaptations of global genres. She expressed optimism about engaging new and younger readers through more accessible content, saying, “Books have become more available than ever, which is essential for attracting young audiences.”
The day also featured a keynote by John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group, who emphasized the importance of accessibility and timely delivery in modern publishing. He highlighted Ingram’s extensive print-on-demand catalogue, now boasting over 13 million titles, including a growing number of works in diverse languages to serve multicultural readers.
Attendees participated in 30 interactive roundtable sessions covering pressing topics such as digital publishing advancements, the audiobook market, AI integration, and sustainable practices in publishing. These sessions provided insights into new marketing strategies, digital distribution techniques, and eco-friendly practices aimed at the industry’s long-term growth.
The Sharjah Publishers Conference, held annually, brings together publishing experts, literary agents, and thought leaders from around the world to discuss challenges, explore solutions, and foster strategic partnerships. This year’s event sets the stage for the Sharjah International Book Fair, further establishing Sharjah as a hub for cultural exchange and publishing innovation.
