In a major cultural announcement that underscores Sharjah’s growing stature as a global hub for books, ideas and publishing, the emirate will host the International Publishers Congress in October 2028. The event will bring together leading publishers, authors, rights specialists and industry experts from around the world under the theme: “Inclusivity, Innovation, Integrity.” The decision highlights Sharjah’s long-standing commitment to the publishing sector and its expanding role in shaping international dialogue around the future of the written word.
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Sharjah’s selection was formally announced during the handover ceremony held alongside the official dinner of the International Publishers Association in 2026, as part of the 35th International Publishers Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from July 5 to 9, 2026. The Emirates Publishers Association will organise the International Publishers Congress in October 2028 in coordination with the International Publishers Association.
The dinner, hosted under the patronage of Sharjah Book Authority, was attended by about 500 figures representing the global publishing community. It served as the official occasion on which Kuala Lumpur transferred the hosting rights for the International Publishers Congress in October 2028 to Sharjah. The handover ceremony, which followed the IPA Awards presentation, culminated in the announcement of Sharjah as the next host, before the conference flag was handed to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder and honorary president of the Emirates Publishers Association.
Sharjah’s Vision for a Global Publishing Gathering
In her acceptance remarks, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi confirmed Sharjah’s honour in hosting the International Publishers Congress in October 2028, welcoming the global publishing community to the United Arab Emirates and expressing confidence that the emirate will deliver an exceptional edition that reflects the spirit and ambitions of the sector.
She said: “تجسّد استضافة المؤتمر الدولي للناشرين 2028 الثقة التي يوليها مجتمع النشر العالمي لإمارة الشارقة ودولة الإمارات بوصفهما منصة للحوار والتعاون والتبادل الحر للأفكار. ونتطلّع إلى الترحيب بالناشرين من مختلف أنحاء العالم في مؤتمر يعزز الشراكات الدولية، ويستكشف الفرص التي ترسم ملامح مستقبل صناعة النشر، ويؤكد إيماننا المشترك بدور الكتاب في مد جسور التواصل بين الثقافات، وتوسيع آفاق المعرفة، وتقريب الشعوب من بعضها البعض”.
The International Publishers Congress in October 2028 is held every two years by the International Publishers Association and is regarded as the industry’s most important global platform. It brings together publishers, authors, booksellers, rights professionals, policymakers and technology leaders to exchange expertise, discuss sector-wide shifts and examine the trends likely to shape publishing’s future.
IPA President Gvantsa Jobava said: “يسعدنا أن نتوجه إلى الشارقة لعقد الدورة السادسة والثلاثين من المؤتمر الدولي للناشرين، حيث سنواصل البناء على النجاح الذي حققه مؤتمر كوالالمبور، وتعزيز أولوياتنا المتمثلة في حماية الحقوق والدفاع عن الحريات في قطاع صناعة النشر. ولطالما كانت جمعية الناشرين الإماراتيين عضواً فاعلاً ومتميزاً في الاتحاد الدولي للناشرين، فإننا نتطلع بثقة وتفاؤل إلى بدء هذه المرحلة الجديدة من التعاون.”
A Stronger International Role for Sharjah
The choice of Sharjah reflects the growing confidence of the international publishing community in the emirate’s cultural project and recognises its advancing role in building a global platform that connects all parts of the publishing ecosystem. That standing stems from a consistent vision that places culture and knowledge at the centre of sustainable development and international cooperation.
Over the years, Sharjah has built a comprehensive publishing environment that supports every stage of the value chain, from helping authors and publishers to advancing translation, rights exchange and professional development. It has also fostered an atmosphere of innovation, creativity and open dialogue, strengthening its position as a trusted partner capable of bringing together the key players in global publishing and steering conversations toward more sustainable and innovative models.
The International Publishers Congress in October 2028 marks another strategic milestone in Sharjah’s international trajectory and further strengthens the UAE’s standing as a global centre for cultural dialogue and knowledge production. The event is expected to attract leading decision-makers and industry figures from across the world, creating a high-value forum for professional networking and sustainable partnerships that can support sector growth and unlock new opportunities in rights trading, translation and publishing services.
Its impact will extend well beyond the days of the congress itself, helping to deepen professional ties, expand international cooperation and reinforce the UAE’s presence in the global knowledge economy.
Programme Focuses on the Future of Publishing
RAشد الكوس, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: “تمثّل استضافة المؤتمر الدولي للناشرين 2028 في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة محطة مفصلية لقطاع النشر الوطني، وتعكس المكانة المتنامية التي رسختها الشارقة على خريطة صناعة النشر العالمية. وسيوفر المؤتمر للناشرين الإماراتيين فرصاً استثنائية للتواصل مع نظرائهم حول العالم، وتعزيز تبادل الحقوق، وتوسيع شراكات الترجمة، إلى جانب إبراز حيوية وتطور منظومة النشر في دولة الإمارات أمام المجتمع الدولي. ونتطلع إلى الإسهام في تنظيم دورة نوعية تثري الحوار، وتحفّز الابتكار، وتؤسس لشراكات مستدامة تعود بالنفع على الناشرين في المنطقة والعالم.”
Under the theme “Inclusivity, Innovation, Integrity,” the congress will examine some of the most pressing issues defining the future of publishing in an increasingly connected and technologically accelerated world.
The inclusivity track will focus on broadening representation in publishing by supporting cultural diversity, encouraging locally rooted storytelling and producing content that reflects the richness of different communities while promoting cross-cultural dialogue. The innovation track will explore how advanced technologies and artificial intelligence can help create more sustainable business models and improve efficiency across publishing workflows. The integrity track will address the importance of ethical standards, trust in publishing and the protection of intellectual property in the face of rapid technological change.
The congress programme will feature a wide-ranging agenda of panel discussions, workshops and presentations covering the most influential topics in the industry’s future. Sessions will address inclusive publishing, accessible book design, AI-driven workflows, localisation strategies, sustainable publishing, ethical frameworks for AI, copyright protection and cooperation between publishers, creative industries and technology entrepreneurs.
The programme has been designed to align with the International Publishers Association’s strategic priorities, especially the defence of publishing freedom, the protection and development of copyright and the promotion of international collaboration. It will also give publishers the chance to explore fresh approaches to rights exchange, translation, localisation and sustainable business growth in a rapidly changing global market.
The Emirates Publishers Association will play an active role in supporting the congress by strengthening ties between Emirati and international publishers, encouraging professional exchange and facilitating dialogue on publishing, translation, rights trading and new opportunities for international cooperation.
By hosting the International Publishers Congress in October 2028, the United Arab Emirates is reaffirming its commitment to supporting publishing as a driver of knowledge, creativity and sustainable development. Beyond bringing the global publishing community together, the event will offer a strategic platform to debate the opportunities shaping the sector’s future and to build influential international partnerships, further cementing Sharjah’s position as one of the world’s leading capitals of culture, publishing and intellectual exchange.