UNESCO appoints Bodour Al Qasimi as Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture

Sharjah, 28 October / WAM / The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the appointment of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi as a Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture in appreciation of her global efforts in supporting publishing and educational development.

As President of the American University of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, Sheikh Bodour has dedicated her career to supporting access to knowledge, creative expression and education as essential pillars of sustainable development.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi said: “I am honored to join UNESCO’s mission in my capacity as a Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture. Books have the ability to enrich minds, bridge gaps, and build resilient societies based on knowledge. In a world that is changing at a rapid pace, investing in reading, education, and access to culture is no longer an option, but rather a necessary need. This role represents a responsibility and a continuation of my commitment to supporting empowerment through Books, education and cultural engagement. I look forward to working closely with UNESCO to promote these values and expand the horizons of learning and creative expression around the world.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi is considered one of the most influential figures in the global publishing industry, as she made history as the first Arab woman to assume the presidency of the International Publishers Association (IPA) since its founding in 1896. During her presidency, she led international dialogues on freedom of publishing and ensuring equitable access to knowledge.

Through her founding and management of Kalimat Group, one of the most prominent publishing houses in the region, Sheikha Bodour contributed to the development of the modern book industry in the UAE and the Arab world and founded a number of leading knowledge institutions, including the Emirati Publishers Association, the UAE Council on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), and the “Culture Without Borders” Foundation, all of which aim to consolidate the culture of reading and enhance the publishing industry.

As part of her presidency of the Sharjah Book Authority, Sheikha Badour supervises the Sharjah International Book Fair, which is today considered one of the largest and most important cultural events in the world. Under her leadership, the Authority has expanded internationally, as Sharjah has represented Sharjah as a guest of honor at major book fairs in Rabat, Seoul, London, and Frankfurt.

Sheikha Bodour chaired the Supreme Committee of the “Sharjah World Book Capital 2019” project, which made the emirate a global center for books and cultural dialogue. This achievement culminated in the opening of the House of Wisdom, the iconic cultural and knowledge edifice that embodies Sharjah’s vision of promoting the exchange of knowledge and innovation.

On the humanitarian level, Sheikha Bodour played a pivotal role in the UAE’s accession to the Marrakesh Treaty, which guarantees access to books for people with visual disabilities, and supported the rehabilitation of Beirut’s public libraries after the port explosion in 2020.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi founded the “Publisher” initiative, a global network that brings together more than a thousand women working in the publishing sector around the world with the aim of promoting equality, diversity and fair representation in the creative industries.

In international recognition for her outstanding efforts in education and cultural development, the British University of Leicester granted Sheikha Bodour the title of Honorary Professor, making her the first to receive this honor in the university’s history in recognition of her contributions to empowering women and supporting the culture of reading among children.

The appointment of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture embodies her firm vision that books and education form the basis for building open, creative, knowledge-based societies.

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