The Beijing International Book Fair has announced the selection of Emirati writer, illustrator and publisher Dr Abdullah Al Sharhan — Vice Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Publishers Association — as a member of the professional track jury for the Beijing International Book Fair Illustration Awards 2026. He becomes the first Arab judge to participate in the jury of this international prize, following a recommendation from the Association.
Dr Al Sharhan's joining of the international jury represents an extension of the Emirati presence on the world's most prominent platforms specialising in publishing, children's literature and the visual arts. It reflects the professional competencies of Emirati creatives that qualify them to contribute to the evaluation of global creative output according to high artistic and cultural standards.
Through this membership, Al Sharhan will participate in the work of the professional track jury alongside experts in illustration, design and publishing from France, Malaysia, Finland and China. The international jury is responsible for evaluating entries across six main categories: children's book publishing, cover design, editorial illustration, advertising, products and packaging, and scientific and technological illustration.
The Emirates Publishers Association affirmed that the selection of Dr Abdullah Al Sharhan reflects the importance of empowering Emirati talent in the publishing and creative sector to play an active role in international forums — not only by showcasing their creative output, but also by participating in judging panels, shaping professional standards, and exchanging expertise with specialists from diverse cultures.
This achievement follows a previous international experience for Dr Al Sharhan in China, when he was selected in 2024 as the first Emirati and Arab judge in the