Sharjah has opened registration for the 16th Sharjah Publishers Conference ahead of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2026. The Sharjah Publishers Conference will take place from November 1 to 3 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The event will bring together publishers, literary agents, and industry experts from around the world.
The three-day conference will take place before the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, which opens on November 4. The program will include business meetings, publishing rights negotiations, and professional training sessions. It will also feature a $300,000 Translation Grant and the Publishers Recognition Award.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), said the conference reflects Sharjah’s long-term commitment to knowledge and publishing. He added that the event creates opportunities for experts, publishers, and business partners to work together. According to him, publishing continues to play an important role in cultural and economic development.
Al Ameri also said the publishing industry must adapt as content reaches readers through different platforms. He explained that publishers need better ways to create, publish, and distribute knowledge. Therefore, the conference aims to help industry professionals respond to these changing demands.
Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at SBA, said successful publishers build strong professional relationships that support business growth. He explained that the conference connects participants with decision-makers, international markets, and new business opportunities. As a result, publishers can expand their global reach.
The conference will include 30 specialized workshops for publishers and literary agents. The sessions will cover artificial intelligence in publishing, audio publishing, copyright, licensing, international markets, leadership, and strategic innovation. These topics will help participants keep pace with changes across the publishing industry.
The Sharjah Book Authority has invited publishers and industry professionals to register before the August 25 deadline. Successful applicants will receive confirmation on September 11. The conference continues to strengthen Sharjah’s position as a leading global publishing hub.
The Sharjah Publishers Conference aims to encourage international cooperation, support publishing rights, and promote knowledge exchange. By bringing together publishing professionals from different countries, the event will create new opportunities for partnerships and help books reach readers across global markets.