Beijing: The Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) has announced the appointment of Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan, Vice President of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) Board, as a member of the Professional Category Jury of the 'Beijing International Book Fair Illustrations Awards 2026', marking a historic first for an Arab individual on the jury panel of these prestigious international awards. The appointment came about following a nomination by the Emirates Publishers Association.
According to Emirates News Agency, the appointment coincided with the UAE's role as Guest of Honour at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair, which took place from 17th to 21st June. The UAE was represented through a comprehensive national programme at the "Al Bait Al Emirati," featuring the Emirates Publishers Association alongside various Emirati cultural, creative, and academic institutions.
Dr. Al Sharhan's inclusion in the international jury underscores the UAE's growing influence across global platforms dedicated to publishing, children's literature, and visual arts. His role signifies the high calibre of Emirati creative professionals and their potential to evaluate international creative works based on stringent artistic and cultural standards.
As a member of the Professional Category Jury, Dr. Al Sharhan will collaborate with illustration, design, and publishing experts from France, Malaysia, Finland, and China. The jury is tasked with assessing entries across six main categories, namely children's book publishing, cover design, editorial illustration, advertising, products and packaging, and scientific and technological illustration.
The Beijing International Book Fair Illustrations Awards provide a significant international platform that connects Chinese illustrators with their global counterparts. This initiative promotes cultural exchange, advances the illustration industry, and offers artists and illustrators professional opportunities through an accompanying exhibition held alongside the book fair.
The Emirates Publishers Association emphasized that Dr. Al Sharhan's appointment highlights the significance of empowering Emirati talent in the publishing and creative industries to engage actively on the international stage. This involves showcasing their creative work, participating in international judging panels, contributing to the development of professional standards, and exchanging expertise with specialists from varied cultural backgrounds.
This achievement builds on Dr. Al Sharhan's previous international recognition in China. In 2024, he became the first Emirati and Arab judge for the 'New Dreams - International Young Illustrators Competition' at the Shanghai International Children's Book Fair. During his tenure, he evaluated numerous artworks submitted by children and emerging illustrators worldwide, as part of an initiative supported by the Emirates Publishers Association.
Dr. Al Sharhan has established a distinguished career in writing, illustration, and publishing, and is acknowledged as one of the UAE's foremost creators in children's literature. He founded 'Ajyaal Publishing' and has been instrumental in producing numerous books and creative projects since 2003.
His accolades include gold and silver medals at Japan's Kanagawa Biennial World Children's Art Exhibition, the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature, and the Sharjah Children's Book Awards. Additionally, he was the first nominee from the UAE in the Illustration category of the Hans Christian Andersen Awards 2026, regarded as the Nobel Prize equivalent for children's literature.
Dr. Al Sharhan's appointment reinforces the UAE's message as Guest of Honour at the Beijing International Book Fair: to highlight the country's vibrant and integrated cultural and creative landscape, foster cooperation, and advance strategic collaboration with China in publishing, translation, children's literature, visual arts, and the creative industries, thereby establishing Emirati creators as significant contributors to global cultural dialogue.