Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Patron of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), said that the publishing landscape has changed drastically in recent years with the increasing impact of technological advancement which is continuing to evolve at a rapid pace. She called for greater international actions to foster the dialogue and communication that are needed to find ways to meet the challenges in the industry.
The announcement was made during her participation in the 30th International Publishers Association (IPA) Congress, which commenced in Bangkok yesterday and was opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and a group of decision makers and leaders of the world’s publishing industry.
In her statement during the congress, Sheikha Bodour said, “The congress offered an excellent opportunity to strengthen international ties between the UAE’s burgeoning publishing sector and the global publishing community and explore possibilities for cooperation and collaboration in a number of fields, including copyright protection, publishing regulations and sale of translation rights.”
Held from the 24th to the 26th of March in Bangkok, Thailand, the 30th International Publishers Association (IPA) Congress offered a rich, three-day programme of discussion, debate and analysis, featuring internationally respected expert speakers who explored a range of topics, including piracy, ‘freedom to publish’, the challenges of the digital age, literacy and lifelong learning, copyright protection, and publishing legislation.
The opening ceremony was attended by M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Governor, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration; Charun Homthienthong, President of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT); Richard Charkin, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA); Trasvin Jittidecharak, IPA Executive Of Committee Member and Chair of the 30th IPA Congress Organizing Committee; Youngsuk "Y.S." Chi, Honorary Committee Member of the International Publishers Association (IPA); Ahmed Al Amri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority; Jamal Al Shehhi, President of the EPA, and senior IPA and PUBAT officials and representatives from the world’s leading publishers.
The International Publishers Association (IPA) Congress, which is held in major cities around the world, attracts top publishers from all over and provides a platform for open discussion about the challenges facing the publishing industry.
In addition to attending the congress, Sheikha Bodour took part in the official meeting of the Executive Committee of the IPA. She is the first Arab woman to serve on the IPA Executive Committee since its founding in 1896.
The International Publishers Congress aims to help publishers build profitable businesses by connecting them with industry leaders and providing market insight and strategic direction. The congress works to directly confront and explore issues affecting publishers and identify practical solutions they can use to grow their businesses.