Emirati Abdullah Al Sharhan.. “The first Arab arbitrator” at the Beijing International Illustration Awards 2026

The Beijing International Book Fair announced the selection of the Emirati writer, illustrator and publisher, Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Publishers Association, as a member of the professional track jury for the “Beijing International Book Fair Illustration Awards 2026” to become the first Arab arbitrator to participate in the jury of this international award, based on the association’s recommendation.

Dr. Al-Sharhan’s joining the international jury represents an extension of the Emirati presence in the most prominent international platforms specialized in publishing, children’s literature, and visual arts, and reflects the professional competencies possessed by Emirati creators that qualify them to contribute to the evaluation of global creative production according to high artistic and cultural standards.

Through this membership, Al-Sharhan participates in the work of the professional track judging committee alongside experts in drawing, design, and publishing from France, Malaysia, Finland, and China. The international committee evaluates entries in 6 main categories, including publishing children’s books, cover design, editorial graphics, advertising, products, packaging, and scientific and technological drawings.

The Emirates Publishers Association confirmed that the selection of Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan reflects the importance of enabling Emirati competencies in the publishing and creativity sector to have an active presence in international forums, not only by presenting their creative products, but also by participating in arbitration committees, formulating professional standards, and exchanging experiences with specialists from different cultures.

This achievement comes after Dr. Al-Sharhan’s previous international experience in China, where in 2024 he was chosen as the first Emirati and Arab judge in the “New Dreams – International Young Artists Competition” competition, which was held on the sidelines of the Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair. He contributed during his participation in evaluating hundreds of artistic works submitted by children and young creators from various countries of the world in an experience supported by the Emirates Publishers Association as part of its efforts to enhance the Emirati and Arab cultural presence internationally.

Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan has a career that combines writing, drawing and publishing. He is considered one of the most prominent Emirati innovators in children’s literature. He founded the “Ajyal” publishing house and has presented many books and creative projects since 2003. He has won a number of awards in children’s literature and the arts. He is also considered the first nominee to represent the UAE in the drawing category, for the Hans Christian Andersen Award for the year 2026, which is classified as the literary equivalent of the award. The Nobel Prize in Children’s Literature represents the highest international honor in this specialized cultural field.

The Beijing International Book Fair Illustration Awards are a prominent international platform that connects creative people in China with their counterparts around the world, and contributes to enhancing cultural exchange and developing the illustration industry, in addition to providing professional opportunities for artists and illustrators by displaying their work within the illustration exhibition accompanying the exhibition.