Bodour to serve on International Publishers Association's Executive Committee

The General Assembly of the International Publishers Association, IPA, has elected Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Former President of the Emirates Publishers Association, EPA, to serve on the Executive Committee of IPA. Sheikha Bodour was elected in by a majority vote during the General Assembly of the IPA, which was convened in Frankfurt, Germany, on Friday in concurrence with the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is taking place till 12 October.
The first Arab woman to serve on the IPA's Executive Committee, Sheikha Bodour's selection to fill this senior international position comes in recognition of her outstanding efforts to develop the publishing industry in U.A.E. and Arab World and her continued commitment to extending the necessary support to allow the publishers of this region to develop their business, as well as her cultural initiatives to promote reading in the local community and develop children's literature locally and regionally.
Commenting on the occasion, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, said, "I am extremely pleased to accept this appointment to serve on the IPA Executive Committee which I consider an achievement for the Arab World and U.A.E. and its people, who are making their presence felt in leading top-level international organisations around the world and who are actively contributing to the development and success of these organisations".
"The publishing Industry is facing a lot of challenges, some of which are related the digital revolution and its resulting innovations, in addition to the many challenges that prevent access to publications of publishing houses worldwide. We are looking forward to a greater presence of the IPA in the coming period to reduce these difficulties and to advance the publishing industry to new height of success." Speaking about Sheikha Bodour's appointment, Jamal Al Shehhi, President of the Emirates Publishers Association, said, "Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's vision, drive, and commitment have been key to the rapid growth that U.A.E.'s burgeoning publishing sector is experiencing. It is in recognition of this instrumental role that Sheikha Bodour was selected to this key international position. This appointment highlights her influential presence in the region's publishing community. Sheikha Bodour is now the international representative and speaker of U.A.E. in all areas related to publishing industry." In addition to taking part in the General Assembly, Sheikha Bodour also participated in the IPA Copyright Committee Meeting, during which she presented a general report on the state of copyright and intellectual property protection in U.A.E. In this respect, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi emphasised the leading role that U.A.E. is playing in copyright protection in the region.
A highly successful publisher, Bodour Al Qasimi established Kalimat Publishing, the first publishing house dedicated to the production of quality original Arabic children's titles in 2007. Under her direction this unique publishing house has flourished and in 2013 she led the Kalimat's expansion from a single publishing house, to Kalimat Group, which includes Kalimat Publishing House and Horouf Educational Publishing, an educational programme that aims to pioneer a fresh, fun, future oriented approach to Arabic Education.
Her love for the written word and her commitment to excellence led her to establish the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) in 2009, serving first as its President. Under her leadership the EPA obtained Affiliate IPA Membership within the first year of its existence, the first publishers association to ever achieve such a feat, and Full Membership in 2012 – quickly establishing itself as a leading voice for the growth and development of the publishing industry in the U.A.E., GCC, and greater Middle Eastern region.
Founded in Paris in 1896, the International Publishers Association is one of the world's oldest international professional associations. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, its membership comprises of more than 60 organisations from more than 50 countries worldwide.