Emirates Publishers Association Elects Amira Ali Bukadra As New President For 2024-2027 Term

The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) convened its 2024 Annual General Assembly, attended by its Board of Directors, Executive Office, members, and key figures in the publishing industry. The meeting commenced with a tribute to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for her pivotal role in advancing the UAE's publishing sector. Discussions included the annual report, budget approval, future plans, and notable achievements from the past year.

Amira Ali Bukadra was elected as President of the EPA during this assembly. She is an Emirati writer and publisher and co-founder of Ghaf Publications. Nine candidates vied for five Board seats, with voting results confirming her leadership for the 2025-2027 term. The new Board's first meeting saw Abdullah Al Sharhan appointed as Vice President, Fatima Al Khatib as Secretary and Member, Mohammed Bin Hatem as Member, and Hamda Al Balushi as Treasurer and Member.

Amira Bukadra expressed gratitude for being elected President and thanked members for their trust. She emphasised building on past successes to empower Emirati publishers locally and globally. "We will work to provide all means of support to Emirati publishers through specialised training programmes, broader marketing and distribution opportunities, as well as facilitating their presence in international forums," she stated.

Bukadra also highlighted the importance of empowering women in publishing. She noted that female competencies significantly strengthen the industry and enrich cultural content. "We seek for the Association to be a platform that enhances the role of women in this field and supports them in reaching new heights of excellence and creativity," she added.

The meeting underscored key accomplishments from 2024, such as organising specialised training workshops and participating actively in book fairs both locally and internationally. These efforts aim to boost opportunities for Emirati publishers by hosting sessions on buying and selling publishing rights with global publishers. Such initiatives are designed to enhance their presence within the international community.

Representatives from the Ministry of Community Development attended the meeting as part of ongoing collaboration with official entities to support UAE's publishing sector. This partnership aims to foster growth by providing resources and opportunities for local publishers.

Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of EPA, reiterated their commitment to supporting UAE’s publishing sector while reflecting national cultural richness. He remarked that electing a new Board reinforces active participation in decision-making processes crucial for sector development.

Al Kous stated: "The Association’s vision is centred on empowering publishers, promoting Emirati content at both Arab and international levels." He looks forward to growth guided by wise leadership under Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi’s directives.

The new Board aims to develop innovative strategies addressing challenges like digital publishing, marketing, distribution while opening regional markets' horizons. They plan on focusing on empowering publishers through effective solutions tailored specifically towards these needs.

With inputs from WAM