SHARJAH, UAE — There is a need for sustainability in the book industry and initiatives are required to transform the way books are produced and distributed, said Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, and Immediate Past President of International Publishers Association at an event in Sharjah.
She was highlighting key industry challenges such as environmental pressures, material shortages and hyper-inflation of energy and other costs of business during the opening of the Sharjah International Booksellers Conference.
“Collaboration is crucial to facing these challenges together,” she said at the event, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority and brought together prominent booksellers, publishers, and industry experts from around the world.
The two-day conference aims to enrich the publishing industry by facilitating discussions on industry trends and shaping its future. With over 400 booksellers and distributors from 69 countries, the event serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise.
The opening day featured a keynote address by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, followed by a conversation between ex-CEO of Penguin Random House, Markus Dohle, and Porter Anderson of Publishing Perspectives. They discussed sustainability, generative artificial intelligence, and the potential for industry transformation.
Ahmed Al Amiri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, highlighted Sharjah’s commitment to supporting the book industry and emphasized the importance of collaboration and effective communication among industry stakeholders.
Markus Dohle discussed the state of global publishing and bookselling, pointing out reasons why the industry is on the rise. These reasons include growth in global book revenue, stability in distribution models, coexistence of digital and traditional formats, a growing addressable audience, a thriving children and young adult market, and the increasing popularity of audiobooks.
One trend that needs our immediate attention is sustainability, most importantly the impact of the book industry on the environment. It is also an opportunity to raise discussions on the book industry‘s sustainability and propose initiatives that could radically change the way we produce and distribute books, while at the same time giving us the opportunity to lead this change and be part of the process. No single publisher or bookseller or stakeholder from our ecosystem can face this challenge alone, which is why collaboration is more critical now than ever.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group
The conference also featured workshops on topics such as data in the book industry, sustainability, consumer book buying behaviors, social media campaigns, and bookshop design and marketing. The event provides attendees with the opportunity to learn, exchange ideas, network, and build connections within the industry.