EPA expands global footprint with strategic Latin American Engs.

Sharjah 24

13-06-2025

These strategic participations reflect the capacity of the UAE's publishing industry to build cultural bridges with the world. They also reaffirm the Association's commitment to opening new horizons for Emirati publishers to exchange expertise with their counterparts across continents and to forge promising connections with one of South America's most important publishing markets.
Rio Reads... and the UAE Takes Part
June 2025 marks an intensive programme of activities by the Association in Brazil. Its delegation is taking part in four of the country's most prominent publishing-related events in Rio de Janeiro, including the Rio International Book Fair (13–22 June)—the largest and most influential public literary event in Brazil and Latin America. The delegation is also participating in the 6th Professional Journey, the Rio International Publishers Summit, and the PublisHer Summit, which is dedicated to empowering women in publishing leadership.
This participation takes place during a year when UNESCO has named Rio as the 'World's Book Capital', under the theme 'Rio de Janeiro Continues to Read.'
Professional Platforms and Strategic Engagements
During the 6th Professional Journey, organised by the Brazilian Book Chamber, the Emirates Publishers Association—represented by publisher Amira BuKdara, co-founder of Ghaf Publishing and Library and President of the Association's Board—will participate in an exclusive meeting. This platform offers accompanying Emirati publishers the opportunity to meet with buyers and professionals from the sector, as well as to schedule one-on-one meetings aimed at expanding the presence of Emirati publishing in Portuguese-speaking markets. The programme features a series of lectures and discussions on rights exchange and translation.
The Association is visiting the Rio International Publishers Summit, organised by the Brazilian National Syndicate of Book Publishers, which gathers a distinguished group of publishing experts from around the world to address key industry topics such as publishing technologies, audiobooks, reading promotion, and women's empowerment.
Additionally, the Association is attending the PublisHer Summit, held in collaboration with the Syndicate, which features panel discussions highlighting the success stories of women in the book industry and the challenges encountered by female leaders in publishing. The summit brings together influential women from across generations who are shaping the future of the sector.
Buenos Aires: A Successful Visit
The Association's presence in Rio follows a successful visit to the Buenos Aires International Book Fair 2025, held from 22 April to 12 May, where Riyadh was the Guest of Honour for this edition. During the visit, the Association's delegation held a series of strategic meetings with key stakeholders in Argentina's publishing and cultural sectors. These included talks with the Fair's Board of Directors, representatives of publishing associations, and officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture in Buenos Aires. The meetings explored avenues for enhancing bilateral cultural cooperation and increasing mutual participation in international fairs and initiatives.
Enriching Cultural Exchange
Commenting on the Association's participation, Amira BuKdara, President of the EPA Board stated: 'Our engagement in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to strengthen the global presence of Emirati literature. Participating in major international gatherings—both professional and public—opens up new opportunities for collaboration, translation, and co-publishing. It also allows us to share Arab stories with a broad and diverse audience. We firmly believe that cultural exchange plays a vital role in the book industry, and these events offer us the chance to be active contributors to the global publishing scene.'
She added: 'Through this initiative, we aim to explore opportunities for translating Arabic content and bringing it to audiences who speak a different language but share our passion for books and knowledge.'
New Horizons
These participations represent a strategic opportunity to strengthen cultural ties and pave the way for Emirati publishers to integrate into diverse new markets. They also reflect the Emirates Publishers Association's vision of establishing the UAE as a central hub in the global publishing industry, while promoting cultural and intellectual exchange between the Arab world and Latin America—celebrating diversity and amplifying the voice of the Emirati publisher across new frontiers