At the Sharjah International Publishers Conference, the IPA leadership were joined by IPA’s Copyright Counsel Vera Castanheira for a meeting with the presidents, board members, and executives of the Publishers Associations from the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. The discussions focused on the key challenges of copyright and piracy in the Arab region and discussed the importance of data and industry statistics in supporting the growth of publishing across these countries. The meeting was also the opportunity to explored ways to enhance IPA’s cooperation with our Arab members.

IPA’s leadership also had a separate meeting with the local association, the EPA, which plays a vital role in strengthening the publishing industry in the United Arab Emirates, promoting best practices and fostering the development of local publishers. As an active member of the International Publishers Association (IPA), the EPA not only supports the fight against piracy and the protection of copyright in the Arab region but also invests in promoting reading and fostering a sustainable publishing economy.

IPA’s sincere thanks goes to IPA Executive Committee member Ahmed Rashad for coordinating these important meetings and to the Emirates Publishers Association for their warm hospitality.

Finally, Pansa and Jobava participated in the PublisHer mentorship programme sharing their experience with other women in publishing. Hear Karine Pansa talk about that here.