Sharjah has been announced as the host city for the 36th International Publishers Congress (IPC) 2028, bringing the global publishing community to the emirate in October 2028 under the theme “Inclusion. Innovation. Integrity.”
The announcement was made during the official handover ceremony at the IPA 2026 Gala Dinner, held as part of the 35th International Publishers Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from July 5–9, 2026. Sponsored by the Sharjah Book Authority, the gala brought together around 500 delegates from the international publishing community, where Sharjah formally accepted the hosting rights for the 2028 Congress. The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) will host the Congress in collaboration with the International Publishers Association (IPA).
The handover followed the IPA Awards Ceremony, during which representatives of Kuala Lumpur officially announced Sharjah as the next host city and presented the International Publishers Congress flag. H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association, delivered the official acceptance speech on behalf of Sharjah, welcoming the global publishing community to the United Arab Emirates.
H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: “Hosting the International Publishers Congress 2028 reflects the confidence that the global publishing community has placed in Sharjah and in the United Arab Emirates as a meeting place for dialogue, collaboration and the free exchange of ideas. We look forward to welcoming publishers from around the world to a Congress that strengthens international partnerships, explores the opportunities shaping the future of publishing, and reaffirms our shared belief in the enduring power of books to connect cultures, expand knowledge and bring people together.”
Held every two years by the International Publishers Association, the Congress brings together publishers, authors, booksellers, rights professionals, policymakers and technology leaders to discuss developments, challenges and opportunities in the publishing sector.
IPA President Gvantsa Jobava said: “We are excited to be heading to Sharjah for the 36th International Publishers Congress where we can build on the success of our Congress in Kuala Lumpur and further promote our pillars of copyright and the freedom to publish within the publishing sector. The EPA has been such an engaged member of IPA and we can’t wait to get started.”
Sharjah’s selection reflects its continued focus on supporting the publishing sector through initiatives spanning authorship, publishing, translation, rights trading and professional development. The Congress is expected to bring together industry leaders and decision-makers while creating opportunities for collaboration, rights exchange, translation partnerships and publishing services.
Commenting on the announcement, H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: “Hosting the International Publishers Congress 2028 in the United Arab Emirates represents a defining moment for the country’s publishing sector and reflects Sharjah’s growing influence within the global publishing community. The Congress will provide Emirati publishers with exceptional opportunities to engage with international peers, strengthen rights exchange, expand translation partnerships and showcase the UAE’s vibrant publishing landscape to the world. We look forward to contributing to a Congress that inspires dialogue, encourages innovation and creates lasting partnerships that benefit publishers across the region and beyond.”
The 2028 edition will be organised around three themes—Inclusion, Innovation and Integrity. Sessions will explore topics including inclusive publishing, accessible book design, AI-powered publishing workflows, localisation strategies, sustainable publishing, ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence, copyright protection, and collaboration between publishers, creative industries and technology partners.
The programme will include keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops and presentations, while also supporting the International Publishers Association’s priorities of promoting freedom to publish and protecting copyright. The Emirates Publishers Association will work closely with international publishers to encourage professional exchange and discussions around publishing, translation, rights trading and future collaboration.
