Abu Dhabi to host meetings of International Publishers Association in 2010

The forum was attended by Ms. Ana Maria Cabanellas, President of the International Publishers Association; Sheikha Budour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of Kalimat publishing house; Mr. Jumaa Al Qubaisi, Director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and Director of the National Library; representatives from the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation; a number of UAE publishers; and Mr. Bashar Shbarro, Secretary General of the Arab Publishers Association.

Sheikha Budour spoke about the role of the distinct cultural achievements made by the Emirate of Sharjah, while Ana Maria Cabanellas talked about the experiences of the International Publishers Association, expressing her readiness to provide any necessary assistance in that field. Shbarro addressed the role of the Arab Publishers Association, and the importance of establishing an association for UAE publishers.

Qubaisi stressed that Abu Dhabi has a leading place, both regionally and internationally, in terms of implementing its cultural strategy related to the book publishing and translation industry, thanks to many important initiatives which are supported by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and which are constantly supervised by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. These initiatives, Qubaisi maintained, had contributed to a qualitative leap in the cultural movement in Abu Dhabi, making it a frontrunner to be the global cultural capital for the book publishing industry.

Qubaisi cited the example of KITAB project, which has resulted from these initiatives via a partnership between ADACH and the Frankfurt Book Fair, as one of implementations of the strategy to develop the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which is today one of the most ambitious and fastest growing book fairs in the Middle East and North Africa. It has distinguished itself from traditional book fairs which are mainly concerned with the marketing of books.

At the forum, Qubaisi cited Sheikh Zayed's Book Award, one of the most important awards in the world to support the book publishing industry, particularly in the Arab World. Qubaisi also praised KALIMA as the biggest translation project of its kind in the Arab World, which sets to translate books in various foreign languages into Arabic. Qubaisi also mentioned QALAM project, dedicated to publishing the creative works of UAE writers, among many other cultural projects by ADACH, which also include the restoration of buildings and archaeological sites, and transforming them into places for different literary, cultural and artistic activities.

Qubaisi explained that the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has entered into a fierce competition with many countries to win, in the end, recognition of its status in the world as Abu Dhabi will host the meetings of the International Publishers Association and the International Copyright Symposium in 2010.

"ADACH is ready to provide all necessary facilities to develop the movement of translation and publication in the UAE and the region, and to establish an association for UAE publishers in Abu Dhabi,"

he said.

The Arab Publishers Association had hailed the success of Abu Dhabi to host the meetings of the International Publishers Association, praising the role and responsibilities of ADACH and supporting the establishment of an association for UAE publishers in Abu Dhabi.

Qubaisi stressed that the coming Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which will be held on 17-22 March 2009 under the slogan 'the markets of tomorrow, today', is always committed to addressing the key issues facing the industry today, such as piracy, distribution and translation. The Fair will display many old and rare books, and will organise several events aimed at developing the books and publishing sectors in the region, the development of ties between Arab and international publishing societies, and increasing literacy in all parts of the UAE.

Among the main activities of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2009 and future events of KITAB in the next 12 months are:

Initiative highlighting intellectual property rights:

Will support a new programme, sponsored by ADACH, that grants $1,000 to each agreement to buy publishing rights or licenses signed during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, in order to promote the exchange of intellectual property rights between Arab publishing houses or translation from/to the Arabic language.

Combating piracy:

In continuation of its efforts to combat piracy, the Fair would once again exclude publishers that are involved in any acts of intellectual piracy. More emphasis would be put on rights' issues to increase awareness of copyright issues through a series of events and expert discussions on the subject. These activities will be crowned by the meeting of the International Copyright Symposium, of the International Publishers Association in 2010.

Distribution system:

KITAB will soon launch an innovative system for the distribution of new books, based on an indexing and cataloguing system for a professional and an advanced means of transportation, in addition to a 'print on demand' service. Currently, work is undertaken to establish a 'media zone' giving foreign publishers the opportunity to open an office in Abu Dhabi and acquire access to the largest promotion and marketing possible in the Arab world.

Old and rare books:

In 2009, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will be the first Arab exhibition to offer old and rare books, opening the way for people interested in purchasing world famous rare books, in multiple languages.

Introducing world authors:

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will continue highlighting Sheikh Zayed's Book Award to introduce authors and intellectuals from the Arab world. The Award will grant a prize for Arab novel for an author who outperforms contemporary creative writing in Arabic. The Fair will be attended by renowned authors who are considered to be giants in literature and thought.

Vocational program:

The 2008 Fair was distinguished with a rich professional programme, and the Fair in 2009 pledges to develop more. The discussion panel, under the heading 'meet new trading partners', had an effective role in establishing global links, and will be developed and expanded in the coming year when the event is once again a focal point for the Arab book market and trade around the world.

The Fair also will establish a commercial database which makes it easier for international partners to do business with the Arab World, opening the door for professional publishers to be able to make appointments before the Fair.

Public programmes:

To encourage children to read, which is among the stated aims of KALIMA. It was one of the main themes in 2008, especially thanks to the initiative of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to support students buying books. The 2009 exhibition will develop this through a series of activities to promote reading; one is to be set up in the 'children's corner', and another will include publishers dedicated to children's books.

The 'Book Council' and the 'Dialogue Forum' will continue welcoming refined authors in 2009. The Fair will show once again the best works of Arab novelist.

Promote reading:

The 'Passing Book' initiative demonstrated its immense popularity when it was first launched this year by KITAB and ADACH. There is an ambitious initiative similar to it planned for the Fair in 2009. During 2008 planning continued for a number of interesting new activities. KITAB will rely on existing partnerships with many centres to promote reading and develop new relationships and linkages across the region.