Emirates Publishers Association Highlights UAE Culture At Rabat International Book Fair 2025

The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) is showcasing the UAE's cultural influence globally by participating in the 30th Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair. This event, which began on 17th April 2025 in Morocco's capital, is a key literary gathering organised by Morocco's Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication. This year, Sharjah was honoured as the Guest of Honour, reflecting the strong cultural ties between the UAE and Morocco.

Sharjah's recognition as Guest of Honour highlights mutual appreciation between the two nations. In 2024, Morocco was celebrated as Guest of Honour at the Sharjah International Book Fair. The Emirati delegation at this year's fair includes Amira BuKadra from Ghaf Publishing and Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan from Ajyal for Publishing & Distribution.

Rashid Alkous, EPA's Executive Director, expressed gratitude to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for her support of Emirati publishing. He stated that their involvement in Rabat affirms their commitment to supporting Emirati publishers and fostering cultural dialogue with Morocco and the Arab world. "Our participation in the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair affirms our commitment to supporting Emirati publishers," he said.

Alkous emphasised that such events are strategic platforms for exchanging expertise and discussing industry challenges. He noted that they aim to enrich cultural dialogue and support independent publishers' sustainability efforts. This contributes to developing the Arab publishing sector overall.

The EPA aims to transform these participations into sustainable platforms for expanding UAE's cultural influence. Alkous remarked that their presence at international forums serves as an outlet for cultural communication, showcasing UAE's creative richness. "Our presence today at the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair is a celebration of Emirati culture," he added.

A discussion session will be held at the fair featuring Rashid Al Kous as moderator. Participants include Amira BuKadra, Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan, Tarek Saliki from the Moroccan Publishers Association, and Safaa Wali from Fennec Publishing House in Casablanca.

Discussion Topics

The session will cover three main topics: enhancing book distribution in the region, book pricing mechanisms for independent publishers' sustainability, and government initiatives supporting local writers. These discussions aim to address key issues within the publishing industry.

This participation reaffirms EPA's commitment to empowering Emirati publishers and enhancing UAE's global publishing position. It strengthens cultural cooperation bridges, enriching both Arab and international literary scenes.

With inputs from WAM