Arab Publishers Association Initiative to Support Libraries in Syria

Dear Colleague, Member of the Arab Publishers Association,
Participant in the Damascus International Book Fair,
Greetings,
The Arab Publishers Association extends its warmest regards to you.
With reference to the holding of the first session of the Damascus International Book Fair in the Syrian capital, Damascus, from February 5-16, 2026, and within the framework of the Association's goals, including promoting reading as a necessary cultural need, as well as enhancing the cultural awareness of all Arab readers,
the Arab Publishers Association invites you to participate in an initiative to donate a number of new publications to support the libraries of the Syrian Ministry of Culture before the end of the fair, as this initiative reflects our commitment to supporting Arab culture and promoting cultural awareness in the region.

Press Statement Issued by the Board of Directors of the Arab Publishers Association
Eleventh Term (2026-2028)  

On the sidelines of the 57th Cairo International Book Fair, the Arab Publishers ِAssociation held its Ordinary General Assembly meeting on January 26, 2026, at the InterContinental City Stars Hotel in Nasr City, Arab Republic of Egypt, at 12:00 noon.  
During the meeting, the Board of Directors of the Arab Publishers Association presented its report on the activities of the tenth term (2022–2025), which was approved by the members of the General Assembly. The financial budget was also approved, and the Board of Directors of the Arab Publishers Association was discharged from its responsibilities for the tenth term (2022–2025). A new Board of Directors for the Arab Publishers Union for the eleventh term (2026–2028) was then elected.  
After counting the voting papers for the elections of the Board of Directors of the Arab Publishers Association for the eleventh term, the results were as follows:

- Total number of candidates for the new Board of Directors: 26 candidates
- Number of seats contested: 16 seats
- Total number of members present at the General Assembly: 337 members
- Total number of voters: 337 members
- Number of valid ballots: 335 ballots
- Number of invalid ballots: 2 ballots

The Publishers' Association Issues 

A study on publishing in the Arab world covering the years 2022 and 2023 
The number of books published for the first time rises to 93,000 titles 
Djibouti and the Comoros appear for the first time on the Arab publishing map 

The Arab Publishers Association issued a study on the publishing movement in the Arab world for the years 2022 and 2023. Professor Mohamed Rashad, the head of the Association, stated that many data points in the Arab publishing arena indicate an unprecedented rise in publishing activity in the region. This is a natural result of increased awareness and interest in reading among the younger generations. 
All of the above are positive indicators. On the other hand, there are many negative indicators, the most challenging of which is the unprecedented rise in paper prices. This has negatively affected the demand for printed books and increased the demand for digital books.
The study indicates that the greatest threat to the publishing industry is the slow encroachment of major international publishing companies. Gradually, these companies have begun to seize the supply budgets of Arab universities, and the university textbook, which has been a driving force behind the Arab publishing movement, particularly since the 1970s, has declined. Therefore, in this study, we dedicated a section to the university textbook. On the other hand, the publishing of heritage encyclopedias from verified manuscripts in print, and the multiple editions of the same verified manuscripts, all constitute a waste of effort that requires discussion. This led us to open the door for discussion on this approach. For this reason, the Arab Publishers' Association, in collaboration with the Institute of Arab Manuscripts, aimed to create a website for Arabic manuscript heritage to avoid the repeated publication of verified manuscripts, to build a database for researchers, and to provide data on unpublished manuscripts to encourage their publication.

It is an advanced electronic step through which it sought to define, preserve and support copyright and publisher rights, and it is also a step for communication and synergy with publishers, writers, writers and authors to provide a stable and stable environment in order to preserve intellectual property and protect the rights of creators and to serve present and future generations

For those of the Federation who wish to file a complaint regarding an intellectual property dispute, please fill out

The following form and send it to the General Secretariat office by email: nsharif@arab-pa.org