Title: Bodour Al Qasimi Inaugurates 4th Sharjah Booksellers Conference
In a resounding affirmation of its commitment to the literary community, the fourth edition of the Sharjah Booksellers Conference was inaugurated by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), at the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ).
The prestigious event, held under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the UAE Supreme Council, brought together more than 500 publishers, booksellers, and industry professionals from over 70 countries.
The opening ceremony saw Sheikha Bodour emphasize the importance of strengthening global networks among stakeholders in the book industry. She highlighted how such forums help address the evolving challenges faced by booksellers, distributors, and publishers, and how collaboration can foster sustainable growth in the sector.
This year's edition of the conference featured a dynamic lineup of panel discussions, workshops, and presentations focused on industry trends, the future of brick-and-mortar bookstores, digital transformation, and distribution logistics. A key highlight was the emphasis on building a global network of independent and chain booksellers to support the resilience and innovation of the retail book sector.
Sheikha Bodour, who is also the Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group and the former President of the International Publishers Association (IPA), reiterated the UAE’s role, and particularly Sharjah’s, as a central player in the global publishing ecosystem. She also encouraged new initiatives designed to empower booksellers and promote reading culture on an international scale.
The Sharjah Booksellers Conference continues to evolve as a critical space for dialogue and knowledge exchange, reinforcing Sharjah’s legacy as a UNESCO World Book Capital and a cultural beacon for the Arab world.
— Editorial Team
