Meetings
The Arab Book Award and the Arab Publishers' Association Sign a Strategic Cooperation Agreement
In a qualitative step to support the Arab cultural scene, the Arab Book Award has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Arab Publishers' Association, aimed at enhancing the Arab book industry and protecting copyright.
This took place during a press conference held at the Qatari Press Center headquarters on Tuesday, September 16, 2026, where the agreement was signed on behalf of the Arab Book Award by its Executive Director, Dr. Naji Al-Sharif, and on behalf of the Arab Publishers' Association by Dr. Aisha Jassim Al-Kuwari, Chair of the Arab Relations Committee of the Association, in the presence of Dr. Hanan Al-Fayyad, Media Advisor to the Arab Book Award, and Mr. Ibrahim Al-Bu Hashem Al-Sayed, Vice President of the Arab Publishers' Association, along with a distinguished group of officials, intellectuals, publishers, and journalists.
The agreement aims to establish a joint framework for cooperation in:
• Supporting the Arab book in terms of publishing and distribution for individual authors and institutions.
• Organizing joint cultural events, seminars, and exhibitions.
• Exchanging expertise and leveraging competencies of both parties.
• Enhancing the presence of the Arab book at Arab and international book fairs.
Dr. Naji Al-Sharif affirmed that the agreement is the culmination of efforts initiated with the Arab Publishers' Association, and that the Association represents a pivotal institution for the Award, given its role in safeguarding the rights of Arab thinkers, writers, and publishers, supporting the publishing movement, and promoting Arab publications, in addition to its presence at Arab and international fairs. He noted that the Award is working to build other partnerships with entities and institutions in a number of Arab countries
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For her part, Dr. Aisha Al-Kuwari emphasized the importance of the agreement in supporting publishing, authors, and publishers, exchanging expertise, organizing seminars and events, and benefiting from the specialized expertise of both parties. She stressed that such partnerships open horizons for launching new initiatives and developing programs that serve the book industry and support its presence in the Arab cultural scene. She pointed out that the Arab Publishers' Association, which was established in 1962, possesses institutional experience and accumulated expertise, making it an important partner in implementing joint initiatives with the Arab Book Award, whether through activities and seminars, or studies and research related to the publishing industry, in addition to enhancing the presence of the Arab book at Arab and international cultural fairs and events.
This agreement is considered an alliance between the largest award specialized in the Arab book and the largest umbrella organization for Arab publishers, to unify efforts in the face of challenges confronting the publishing industry, foremost among them rising production costs, digital piracy, and weak legislative infrastructure.