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Her Highness Sheikha Bodour is a visionary leader of profound insight, anchored in a heritage deeply woven into the fabric of Sharjah's history. Her global prominence stems from a comprehensive mission that seamlessly blends enlightened thought, human empathy, and elite institutional governance. Rooted initially in a profound passion for literature, her journey has blossomed into a sweeping cultural, economic, and social movement that places humanity at the centre of every endeavour. As an influential international catalyst across education, intellectual growth, and business management, her extraordinary milestones vividly demonstrate the empowering, tangible impact of women in elevating the UAE's global standing.
Her Highness earned a Bachelor of Arts with honours from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Arts in Medical Anthropology from University College London, providing her with a deep appreciation for the subtleties of human and cultural heritage. Shaped by a richly cultured upbringing in the household of her father, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, she developed the visionary foundation that has successfully propelled her onto the world stage.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has exerted a powerful influence on culture and literature through innovative vision and relentless dedication. By instilling a love of reading and cultivating a passion for knowledge, particularly among children and underprivileged youth, she has helped young minds discover their potential, unlock their talents, and embrace elevated ideals. Her extensive milestones in this domain include the 2007 launch of Kalimat Publishing House, which specialises in children's and young adult literature and has earned a prestigious international reputation as a premier Arab gateway for reading culture.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has championed the advancement of culture and literature by establishing the Emirates Publishers Association in 2009. Created to support and encourage local publishers while expanding their footprint both locally and internationally, the organisation thrives under her current guidance as Honorary President, driving the continuous growth and prosperity of the UAE's publishing sector through dynamic programmes and initiatives.
In 2010, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour founded the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) as the national branch of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). This initiative was designed to cultivate a lasting culture of reading among children and young adults, integrating it as an essential way of life.
In 2016, Her Highness established the Kalimat Foundation to deliver books to visually impaired youth and children impacted by conflict and displacement in refugee camps, helping them stay connected to their authentic Arab heritage. This core effort was accompanied by a suite of targeted initiatives, including an audiobook programme for the visually impaired, the " Pledge a Library " project supplying Arabic mini-libraries to displaced children, and the "I See" initiative providing accessible formats for blind readers.
Her Highness has further championed women's empowerment and international visibility through pivotal cultural and humanitarian projects. Most notably, she launched the "PublishHer" initiative in 2019 to elevate women within the publishing sector and provide pathways to professional excellence. Building on this momentum, she established the AED 1 million “Emirates Publishers Emergency Fund” the following year to safeguard the domestic publishing industry, assist publishers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and sustain ongoing creative projects. Additionally, she chaired the committee that successfully led Sharjah to be designated as UNESCO World Book Capital for 2019.
In March 2022, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour established the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association —the UAE's first licensed non-profit dedicated to copyright protection. Later that October, she took on the presidency of the Culture without Borders, working to amplify the UAE's role in international cultural and humanitarian arenas, advance reading habits, boost domestic book production and distribution, and cultivate cross-cultural dialogue. Continuing her industry support in late March 2024, she launched the AED 10 million Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), designed to equip UAE publishers with tailored pathways to navigate industry obstacles and secure long-term growth.
Driven by her conviction that reading builds intellectual awareness, Her Highness—in her capacity as founder and honourary president of the Emirates Publishers Association—launched the "Read in Sharjah" campaign on July 18, 2024. Implemented by the association's distribution arm, Menassah, the initiative seeks to foster community reading habits and reinforce Sharjah's status as the Arab world's cultural capital. Alongside this, she introduced the "Sharjah Guest... Guest of Culture" campaign to deepen the bond between readers and the distinctive cultural identity of the emirate.
Through Her Highness's strategic leadership, Sharjah secured exclusive operational and management rights in July 2026 for Malaysia's BookXcess bookstores across the Middle East and Africa, further solidifying the emirate's status as a premier international hub for the publishing industry.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi was instrumental in Sharjah being named UNESCO World Book Capital in 2019, a defining milestone of her career marked by her direct participation in drafting the emirate's nomination dossier. This prestigious accolade made Sharjah the first city in the Gulf region—and only the third across the Arab world and the Middle East—to receive the distinction.
Her Highness guided the realisation of landmark architectural and cultural developments that have elevated Sharjah's international intellectual and artistic prestige. Foremost among these is the House of Wisdom, which stands as a striking architectural marvel and a vibrant hub for creativity and culture.
Serving as Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, Her Highness has transformed Sharjah into an international epicenter for the publishing industry and a benchmark of excellence in literature and thought. Through visionary strategies and pioneering policies, she has elevated the Sharjah International Book Fair into one of the top three global book fairs, turning the annual event into a thriving, dynamic intellectual gathering.
Her Highness has spearheaded the growth and expansion of the Sharjah Book Authority, alongside Sharjah Publishing City—the world's first free zone dedicated to the publishing sector—and the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival. Furthermore, she has introduced vital industry platforms to support Arab publishers, including the Sharjah International Library Conference, the International Distributors Conference, and the International Publishers Conference.
In 2021, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's cultural vision expanded far beyond the Arab world, cementing her international prominence. She made history as the first Arab woman—and only the second woman globally since the association's founding in 1896—to assume the presidency of the International Publishers Association (IPA) for the 2021–2022 term. Navigating the severe publishing crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully steered the global book industry through targeted interventions, most notably the ‘IPA Africa Publishing Innovation Fund.’
Before this milestone, Her Highness served as IPA Vice President from 2019 to 2020 after being elected at the 2018 General Assembly. She stands as a shining example of the strength of Emirati women, renowned for their boundless contributions and exceptional capacity to excel and compete on the world stage.
In June 2021, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi proposed the establishment of an International Day to honour publishers at risk in recognition of their profound sacrifices. Addressing the global publishing community, she stressed the urgent need to combat censorship, political pressure, and intimidation tactics to safeguard freedom of expression and creative liberty.
Her visionary efforts have also secured Sharjah as the host city for the International Publishers Conference in October 2028. This upcoming event stands as one of the most prominent and influential global gatherings for the publishing industry, drawing leading publishers, authors, copyright specialists, and literary experts from across the world.
Driven by an innovative approach and a strategic vision, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour has played a central role in elevating Sharjah as a premier economic and investment destination since her appointment as Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in 2009. Her leadership has fostered a sustainable investment ecosystem that successfully attracts both local and international capital. Prioritising sustainability and the use of renewable resources, she has spearheaded groundbreaking tourism developments that celebrate the emirate's natural landscapes and cultural heritage, most notably the Heart of Sharjah, Al Noor Island, and the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi made history as the first Emirati woman selected as a co-chair of the World Economic Forum, heading its Regional Business Council for the Middle East and North Africa. Having previously co-chaired the Forum's regional meeting in 2015, she has driven pivotal strategic dialogues shaping the economic future of the Middle East.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi’s expansive impact spans the economic, investment, and sustainable development sectors through the establishment and inauguration of numerous high-profile initiatives. Chief among them is the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) founded in 2016 to champion innovation and empower startups. Reflecting her broader vision for economic resilience, she has worked tirelessly to accelerate business growth, elevate women in leadership, and mentor promising ventures across the commercial, investment, and tourism landscapes.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi drives higher education and innovation as President and Board Chair of the American University of Sharjah, where her tenure has catalysed remarkable advances in global rankings and research output. Beyond academia, she serves as patron of the Magdi Yacoub Institute Heart Science Centre, reinforcing the emirate's commitment to breakthrough medical research and advanced therapeutic solutions for cardiovascular disease on a global scale.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour also chairs the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, championing education and applied scientific research. Under her leadership, the park—inaugurated by the Ruler of Sharjah in 2016—focuses on cultivating sustainable, cutting-edge solutions across a diverse range of technical fields.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour played a significant role as a cultural ambassador, contributing to the promotion of the Al-Faya archaeological site and its presentation to archaeological circles and international forums. This journey culminated in a major achievement: the site's international recognition and official inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025, a remarkable success that highlights the authenticity of the site.
In April 2026, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi debuted "Inanna Reborn," the world's first international brand centered on "mythic luxury." Rooted in Emirati heritage, the label is dedicated to celebrating cultural legacy, feminine identity, and sustainable craftsmanship.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has earned widespread acclaim, including the British Council's Most Successful Young Entrepreneur Award (2011) and the Emirates Women Award (2012). Her exceptional contributions have also been honoured with multiple "Personality of the Year" accolades in 2013, spanning the tourism sector (Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority), the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, and the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence for her steadfast support of education.
Forbes Middle East recognised Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi on its 2014 list of the 200 Most Powerful Arab Women in the Family Business Sector, honouring her foundational role with Kalimat Group—the pioneering Emirati publishing house dedicated to high-quality Arabic children's literature. That same year, she received the Arab Woman Award for Education, alongside the Excellence Award for Women in Business and Leadership in Economic and Commercial Development from the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute in Dubai.
Her Highness received Fast Company Middle East's Most Innovative Business Award for 2023, followed by the BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction in 2025 for her children's book 'House of Wisdom', making her the first Gulf woman to claim the honour. In September 2025, she was further honoured with the Distinguished Personality Award by the International Government Communication Forum in recognition of her vital role in elevating the global standing of Emirati and Arab women.
In July 2025, the University of Leicester in the UK named Her Highness an Honourary Professor. Marking a university first, this distinction serves as its highest academic honour, recognising her profound global contributions to women's empowerment, youth literacy, and cultural development.
In October 2025, UNESCO appointed Her Highness Sheikha Bodour as a Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture, honouring her global leadership in advancing literacy, publishing, and educational development.
On July 13, 2026, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi was invested as an Officer rank of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the country’s highest order of merit. Presented during an official ceremony, the distinction recognises her exceptional efforts in strengthening cultural diplomacy and bilateral relations between Italy and the United Arab Emirates.
Across every endeavour, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has driven lasting societal impact and humanitarian progress. By anchoring her initiatives in sustainability, she has elevated the global standing of Sharjah and the UAE while empowering future generations—serving as an inspiring role model for ambitious women worldwide.
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