The city of Sharjah will host the International Publishers Congress in October 2028, one of the world's most prominent and influential gatherings in the publishing industry, bringing together leading publishers, authors, copyright specialists, and sector experts from across the globe under the theme: "Inclusion.. Innovation.. Integrity". The announcement marks a further affirmation of the emirate's standing as a global hub for intellectual dialogue and the book industry.
The announcement of Sharjah's hosting of the next edition came during the official handover ceremony held on the sidelines of the International Publishers Association (IPA) official dinner for 2026, as part of the 35th International Publishers Congress, which was hosted by the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur from 5 to 9 July 2026.
The Emirates Publishers Association is set to host the congress in cooperation and coordination with the International Publishers Association.
The dinner was held under the patronage of the Sharjah Book Authority and was attended by approximately 500 figures representing leaders and delegates of the global publishing community. The occasion served as the official event at which the hosting rights for the 2028 International Publishers Congress were announced to be transferred to Sharjah.
The official handover ceremony, which followed the IPA awards ceremony, culminated in Kuala Lumpur's representatives formally announcing Sharjah's selection as host of the next edition, before the congress flag was handed to Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association.
In her official acceptance address, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association, announced Sharjah's acceptance of the honour of hosting the 2028 International Publishers Congress, welcoming the global publishing community to the United Arab Emirates and affirming that Sharjah looks forward to organising an exceptional edition that meets the sector's aspirations and reflects the congress's values.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi said: "Hosting the 2028 International Publishers Congress embodies the trust that the global publishing community places in Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates as a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and the free exchange of ideas.
"We look forward to welcoming publishers from around the world to a congress that strengthens international partnerships, explores opportunities shaping the future of the publishing industry, and affirms our shared belief in the role of books in building bridges between cultures, broadening the horizons of knowledge, and bringing peoples closer together."
For her part, Bodour Khelawon Juba, President of the International Publishers Association, said: "We are delighted to head to Sharjah for the 36th International Publishers Congress, where we will continue to build on the success achieved at the Kuala Lumpur congress and advance our priorities of rights protection and advocacy for freedoms in the publishing industry.
"The Emirates Publishers Association has always been an active and distinguished member of the International Publishers Association, and we look forward with confidence and optimism to embarking on this new phase of cooperation."
For his part, Rashed Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: "Hosting the 2028 International Publishers Congress in the United Arab Emirates represents a pivotal milestone for the national publishing sector and reflects the growing standing that Sharjah has established on the map of the global publishing industry.
"The congress will provide UAE publishers with exceptional opportunities to connect with their counterparts around the world, enhance rights exchange, and expand translation partnerships, in addition to showcasing the vitality and development of the UAE's publishing ecosystem to the international community.
"We look forward to contributing to the organisation of a landmark edition that enriches dialogue, spurs innovation, and establishes sustainable partnerships that benefit publishers in the region and across the world."
The hosting of the 2028 International Publishers Congress represents a new strategic milestone in Sharjah's global journey, while further consolidating the United Arab Emirates' standing as an international hub for cultural dialogue and the knowledge industry.
The event is expected to attract a distinguished array of decision-makers and sector leaders from across the globe, providing a high-quality platform for professional networking and the building of sustainable international partnerships that contribute to supporting the sector's growth.