"Emirati publishers" They highlight the UAE publishing market in "Warsaw International Book Fair"

2026/06/01 1:15:29 PM

3 minutes read

Warsaw, June 1, 2026 – The Emirates Publishers Association, during its participation in the Warsaw International Book Fair 2026, highlighted its pivotal role in empowering the Emirati publishing industry, and its commitment to consolidating the position of the United Arab Emirates as an effective partner in promoting cultural dialogue and the book industry at the international level.

The association’s participation within the Sharjah Joint Pavilion came in the context of a strategic vision aimed at expanding Emirati publishers’ access to European markets, enabling them to build sustainable partnerships with international publishers, agents and distributors, in addition to enhancing the prospects for cooperation in the fields of copyright, translation and the exchange of professional expertise.

The association was represented in this participation by a delegation that included an elite group of Emirati publishers who presented diverse experiences in children’s literature, specialized publishing, and cultural and educational content, which reflected the vitality and richness of the local creative scene. The delegation consisted of six publishing houses: Dar Al-Hudhud for Publishing and Distribution, Dar Bu Melha for Publishing, Dar Ghaf for Publishing, Sahb for Publishing and Distribution, Dar Al-Bayan Al-Arabi, and Hazaya for Custom Books.

The participation witnessed an integrated professional and cultural program that included many dialogue sessions, evenings, and specialized meetings that touched on the future of the publishing industry and its transformations. The association participated in two dialogue sessions within the Sharjah Pavilion, the guest of honor of the exhibition, which discussed the transformations taking place in the publishing industry, and explored the features of new publishing, the opportunities related to developing business models, expanding distribution channels, and paths to enhancing the competitiveness of Emirati and Arab content in international markets while preserving its cultural value.

The “Publish Here” initiative, in cooperation with the association, also held a joint session entitled “What is Translated and What Crosses Borders” that brought together women leaders in the publishing sector to discuss the mechanisms of transferring books between markets, the rights, translation and distribution systems, and the factors that help literary works reach readers globally, with a focus on opportunities for cultural and professional cooperation between the UAE and Poland, and the role of women in enhancing the presence of Arabic content in international markets.

The association presented a presentation entitled “The Publishing Market in the UAE,” which addressed the reality of the sector, its trends, and opportunities for growth, based on the results of the metadata study it carried out over the past four years, in addition to reviewing possible cooperation prospects between the Emirati and Polish publishing sectors in a way that supports building partnerships based on knowledge and the exchange of benefits, and opening new channels for the exchange of content and rights.

His Excellency Rashid Al-Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said that the association’s participation in the Sharjah Guest of Honor program at the Warsaw International Book Fair is a qualitative cultural station that confirms the advanced position that the Emirati publishing sector has reached, and reflects an extended journey of investment in knowledge, content creation, and building cultural bridges with the world. He explained that the presence of the Emirati publisher in one of the most prominent European cultural platforms is not limited to displaying books and publications, but rather extends to carrying with it an integrated cultural vision that seeks to present the contemporary Arab voice as a partner. Active in the global creative scene.

He added that the association views this participation as a strategic investment in the future of Emirati publishing, not only in terms of cultural presence, but also in terms of the ability to transform this presence into a network of professional relationships, business opportunities, and qualitative partnerships that open up broader paths for Emirati publishers to reach, and give Emirati writers a more established presence in global circles of circulation and influence.

For their part, the participating publishers expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association, for her continued support of the Emirati publishing sector, stressing that her vision of supporting the book industry and empowering publishers contributed to strengthening their presence on the international scene, and provided them with opportunities to participate in international events and exhibitions, which opened for them broader horizons for communication, building partnerships, and expanding the spread of Emirati content globally.