Sharjah’s rise to the forefront of the global cultural landscape was neither a matter of chance nor the result of isolated achievements. It is the outcome of a far-reaching cultural vision founded on the belief that culture is not merely a complement to development, but one of its fundamental pillars. For decades, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has pursued a visionary cultural project that places knowledge, books, and investment in people at the heart of the emirate’s development. Guided by this philosophy, Sharjah has evolved from a city that hosts cultural events into a global cultural capital that generates initiatives, builds enduring institutions, and attracts major international gatherings, becoming the Arab world’s leading destination where publishing converges with intellectual exchange, creativity, and intercultural dialogue.
Sharjah’s hosting of the International Publishers Congress in 2028, followed by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Congress in 2030, represents the culmination of decades of international trust rather than simply the hosting of two prestigious global events. Both congresses rank among the world’s most influential platforms shaping the future of publishing and children’s and young adult literature. Choosing Sharjah to host these landmark events reflects the stature the emirate has earned among international cultural institutions as a trusted partner with the expertise, institutional strength, and vision to lead global conversations on knowledge, publishing, copyright, and cultural innovation.
Central to this international recognition has been the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, whose sustained efforts have positioned the UAE as a leading contributor to the future of the global publishing industry. Through her tenure as President of the International Publishers Association, her leadership of the Sharjah Book Authority, and her founding of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, alongside pioneering initiatives supporting publishers, translation, and rights exchange, she has built lasting bridges with international institutions and reinforced Sharjah’s reputation as a global meeting place for the publishing community. Entrusting the emirate with hosting these congresses is therefore not simply a tribute to its cultural achievements, but a recognition of its ability to help shape the future of the sector.
This distinguished standing is underpinned by an integrated cultural ecosystem unmatched in the region. It encompasses the Sharjah International Book Fair, one of the largest book fairs in the world, the Sharjah Book Authority, Sharjah Publishing City, the UAE Board on Books for Young People, the Emirates Publishers Association, as well as an extensive network of public libraries, cultural centres, literary awards, and initiatives that support authors, publishers, translators, and illustrators. Together, these institutions have fostered a sustainable cultural environment that extends far beyond hosting events, generating knowledge, advancing the creative economy, and providing an international platform for professional exchange and strategic partnerships.
Today, Sharjah is no longer simply one of the Arab world’s leading cultural centres. It has become one of the world’s influential capitals shaping the future of books and publishing. Every international congress it hosts and every initiative it launches strengthens its role in the global knowledge economy, reaffirming that the greatest investment begins with people, and that books remain one of humanity’s most enduring bridges between cultures. Guided by the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and through the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the emirate continues to offer a distinctive Arab model, one that positions culture as a sustainable national project and a universal message that transcends borders, languages, and generations.
