Sharjah: Shaikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi has assumed vice presidency of the International Publishers Association (IPA).
The announcement was made during the IPA General Assembly at the ongoing Frankfurt International Book Fair.
Shaikha Bodour has worked for years developing the publishing industry in the UAE and Greater Arab world and is one of the first Arab women to hold one of IPA’s top leadership positions.
Well known in literary circles as founder of Kalimat Group, the UAE’s first publishing house dedicated to publishing Arabic children’s books, Shaikha Bodour is the founder and president of Emirates Publishing Association.
She is also the first Arab woman to serve on IPA’s Executive Committee.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Shaikha Bodour said: “The publishing industry is different from all other industries known to mankind because it is a product of human creativity, through which we seek to address the human mind and conscience regardless of their geographical location or ethnicities. This human product cannot thrive without transcending man-made boundaries, and its motive should be to increase understanding and harmony between humans.
“For these reasons I am extremely proud to take this great responsibility and will do my utmost to add to the IPA’s portfolio of achievements for whom my esteemed colleagues, who have assumed the IPA’s leadership positions until today, are responsible.”
The UAE’s publishing industry has made great strides in the professional work related to intellectual property rights and all other rights issues regarding both publishers and authors.
“The work policy of this position will reflect positively on the Arab and international publishing experience. This entails me along with all publishers and world’s cultural bodies and institutions to take on new responsibilities that require cooperation to create a safe and thriving business environment on the local, Arab and global fronts,” Shaikha Bodour said.
