Shaikha Bodour elected to IPA Executive Committee

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, hosted a dinner banquet in honour of owners of publishing houses participating in the Frankfurt International Book Fair. In his friendly exchange with the guests, Shaikh Sultan highlighted the history and the growing cultural role of Sharjah International Book Fair and introduced the forthcoming 33rd edition of the event which will open in November. — Wam

The General Assembly of the International Publishers Association (IPA) has elected Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder and former president of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), to serve on the Executive Committee of the IPA.

Shaikha Bodour was elected by a majority vote during the General Assembly of the IPA, which was convened in Frankfurt, Germany, on Friday on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is concluding today.

The first Arab woman to serve on the IPA’s Executive Committee, Shaikha Bodour’s selection to fill this senior international position comes in recognition of her outstanding efforts to develop the publishing industry in the UAE and Arab World and her continued commitment to extending the necessary support to allow the publishers of this region to develop their business, as well as her cultural initiatives to promote reading in the local community and develop children’s literature locally and regionally.

Commenting on the occasion, Shaikha Bodour said, “I am extremely pleased to accept this appointment to serve on the IPA Executive Committee which I consider an achievement for the Arab World and UAE and its people, who are making their presence felt in leading top-level international organisations around the world and who are actively contributing to the development and success of these organisations.

“The publishing industry is facing a lot of challenges, some of which are related to the digital revolution and its resulting innovations, in addition to the many challenges that prevent access to publications of publishing houses worldwide. We are looking forward to a greater presence of the IPA in the coming period to reduce these difficulties and to advance the publishing industry to new height of success.”

Jamal Al Shehhi, president of the EPA, said, “Shaikha Bodour’s vision, drive, and commitment have been key to the rapid growth that the UAE’s burgeoning publishing sector is experiencing. It is in recognition of this instrumental role that Shaikha Bodour was selected to this key international position. This appointment highlights her influential presence in the region’s publishing community. Shaikha Bodour is now the international representative and speaker of the UAE in all areas related to the publishing industry.”

In addition to taking part in the General Assembly, Shaikha Bodour also participated in the IPA Copyright Committee Meeting, during which she presented a general report on the state of copyright and intellectual property protection in the UAE. In this respect, Shaikha Bodour emphasised the leading role that the UAE is playing in copyright protection in the region.

A highly successful publisher, Shaikha Bodour established Kalimat Publishing, the first publishing house dedicated to the production of quality original Arabic children’s titles, in 2007. In 2013, she led the Kalimat’s expansion from a single publishing house, to Kalimat Group, which includes Kalimat Publishing House and Horouf Educational Publishing, an educational programme that aims to pioneer a fresh, fun, future-oriented approach to Arabic education.

Her love for the written word and her commitment to excellence led her to establish the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) in 2009, serving first as its president.

Founded in Paris in 1896, the International Publishers Association is one of the world’s oldest international professional associations. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, its membership comprises more than 60 organisations from more than 50 countries worldwide.