The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has been announced the guest of honour at the 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), that is being organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and taking place from 2 - 12 November, 2016, at Expo Centre Sharjah. The selection of the organisation by the management of the fair, which is organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, was made in recognition of UNESCO’s role in elevating knowledge and education worldwide, particularly in countries afflicted by wars, conflict and natural disasters. 

Choosing UNESCO as the guest of honour represents its role in supporting global efforts toward knowledge building and is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in emphasising the importance of strengthening science, education and culture regionally and internationally.

By honouring UNESCO, SIBF aims to highlight its array of accomplishments since its inception in 1945. The cultural achievements of the renowned international organisation include projects, initiatives, events, campaigns to support science, education and culture globally.

“We are delighted to choose UNESCO as the guest of honour at SIBF 2016 in respect to its acclaimed international standing and its significant contribution to education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, communication and information exchange. The decision reflects our deep appreciation for its offerings and sponsorship of an array of projects, such as literacy, technical training, teacher-training, international science programmes, cultural and history projects and international cooperation agreements to preserve the world’s culture, natural heritage and human rights,” said HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA.

Al Ameri pointed out that the decision reaffirms cultural achievements as the purpose of the guest of honour programme. He continued to add: "By choosing the international organisation as the guest of honour at SIBF 2016, SBA seeks to present influential pioneering models that serve human culture with the aim of motivating youth and paving the way for them to achieve the highest level of cultural undertakings in the Arab World." 

The Emirate of Sharjah has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with UNESCO. In 1998, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi launched the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, with the prize aimed at rewarding individuals, groups or institutions whose work and achievements have promoted and disseminated knowledge of Arab art and culture. The award was established in line with Sharjah’s desire to foster a better understanding of civilisations and to promote international dialogue and exchange between Arab culture and other cultures.

An example of the initiatives that SBA wishes to highlight through its cultural ties with UNESCO is the ‘Kitab Fi Jarida’ (‘Book in a Newspaper’) project, one of UNESCO's largest projects to promote Arabic books. Under the scheme the organisation has published parts and summaries of books in the form of an illustrated monthly supplement that accompanies the most important daily newspapers in Arab countries, with the supplement distributed free of charge. Since its inception, the project has published 300 million copies and highlighted the work of 160 authors.

UNESCO, a specialised agency that operates under the auspices of the United Nations, seeks to contribute to peace and security through boosting the level of international cooperation between countries in education, science and culture. The organisation comprises 195 member countries and has more than 50 field offices and 12 institutions and centres across the globe, with its headquarters located at Place de Fontenoy in Paris, France. UNESCO works to promote global respect for the fundamental principles of justice, human rights and freedom.