Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Association and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET), held during the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation and promote knowledge exchange in the field of intellectual property and to support the publishing industry in the United Arab Emirates.
The MoU was signed by Amira BuKadra, President of the Emirates Publishers Association Board, and His Excellency Dr Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property (IP) Sector at the Ministry, in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.
The agreement aims to establish a collaborative framework to protect intellectual property rights, raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding creative content, and foster the exchange of expertise in legislation, innovation, and knowledge. It also seeks to empower the local publishing sector through joint training and awareness initiatives while expanding cooperation with regional and international partners.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi stated, “The signing of this MoU between the Emirates Publishers Association and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism embodies our steadfast commitment to supporting cultural innovation and protecting the rights of creators. It reflects our deep belief that knowledge is the cornerstone of sustainable development.”
She stated that since its founding, the EPA has acted as a guiding light for fostering a culture of publishing and creativity. Through this strategic partnership, the Association aims to empower publishers and creators, open new opportunities for collaboration with national institutions, and strengthen the foundations of a balanced knowledge economy that protects rights and encourages creative output.
Her Highness reaffirmed her full support for all national initiatives that help strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for culture and knowledge, and as a nurturing environment for creators, thinkers, and content producers.
Amira BuKadra highlighted that the signing represents a crucial step towards establishing a sustainable knowledge ecosystem that supports creators and publishers, while boosting the UAE’s competitiveness in the creative economy.
She said, “We are delighted to sign this MoU with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism within the framework of the Sharjah International Book Fair, a leading platform celebrating knowledge and creativity. This step extends our efforts to advance the book industry, safeguard creative rights, and expand cooperation with national institutions concerned with intellectual property.”
She added that collaborating with the Ministry will help develop policies and projects that support the growth of the local publishing sector, empowering publishers through joint awareness campaigns and training programmes, expanding their presence in both local and international markets, and creating more opportunities for creativity and development.
His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh stated that signing the MoU demonstrates the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that support the knowledge-based economy in the UAE.
He stated, “Protecting intellectual property rights forms the strong foundation upon which innovation and development across all creative sectors are built—particularly the publishing sector, which plays a key role in the UAE’s cultural and economic landscape. Through this partnership, we aim to develop an advanced legislative framework that enables creators and publishers to thrive and enhances the UAE’s competitiveness regionally and globally.”
Under the MoU, both parties will collaborate to establish a legislative environment that supports intellectual property rights and to support research projects and initiatives that promote innovation and scientific progress in the publishing sector. Areas of cooperation will include organising joint conferences, workshops, and exhibitions to encourage creativity and raise awareness of intellectual property rights, as well as participating in international events in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and other specialised agencies.
This agreement highlights the shared dedication of both parties to strengthening the intellectual property ecosystem in the UAE, safeguarding the rights of publishers, and fostering innovation and growth across scientific, cultural, and technological sectors. It establishes a firm foundation for joint initiatives that support the UAE’s knowledge- and creativity-driven economy.
