Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), chaired the authority’s third board meeting during the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024).

The board discussed SBA’s strategic initiatives to deepen its global impact, foster valuable partnerships for Emirati publishers, and review progress across the authority’s recent initiatives.

Sheikha Bodour opened by expressing her gratitude for the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, whose dedication to cultural diplomacy fuels SBA’s international engagement mission.

She highlighted the recent establishment of the Arab Cultural Institute in Milan as a pioneering effort to connect Arab culture with the world. SBA has ambitious plans to establish similar institutes in key global cities, with the goal of fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

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Reaffirming SBA’s commitment to innovation, Sheikha Bodour announced that digital transformation remains a key focus in the authority’s forward-looking strategy. “Digital advancements are essential to amplifying the reach and impact of SIBF and SBA’s wider initiatives,” she stated, emphasising the role of technology in advancing the authority’s mission.

Achievements and future directions

The board reviewed the strategic pillars defined in prior sessions. It celebrated SBA’s recent accomplishments, including the successful hosting of the Booksellers Conference, the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, the Sharjah Animation Conference, the Sharjah Children's Book Illustration Exhibition, and Sharjah’s prominent role in international book fairs.

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Looking ahead, the board discussed plans to enhance the SIBF Awards’ appeal to a global audience and the launch of a specialised publishing programme to build international expertise and skill development among Emirati publishers. These initiatives aim to elevate Sharjah’s status as a global cultural hub and empower the next generation of Emirati publishers.