The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the appointment of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi as a Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture, in recognition of her global efforts to support publishing and educational development. As President of the American University of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, Her Highness has dedicated her career to supporting access to knowledge, creative expression, and education, viewing them as fundamental pillars of sustainable development. Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi stated: "It is an honor to join UNESCO's mission as a Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture. Books have the power to enrich minds and build resilient knowledge-based societies." Under her leadership, the Sharjah Book Authority has expanded its international presence, representing Sharjah as a guest of honor at major book fairs in Rabat, Seoul, London, and Frankfurt. She also chaired the Higher Committee for the "Sharjah, World Book Capital 2019" project, which made the emirate a global hub for books and cultural dialogue. This achievement was crowned with the opening of the "House of Wisdom", an iconic cultural and knowledge monument that embodies Sharjah's vision of promoting knowledge exchange and innovation. On the humanitarian front, Her Highness played a pivotal role in the United Arab Emirates' accession to the Marrakesh Treaty, ensuring access to books for people with visual impairments, and supported the rehabilitation of Beirut's public libraries after the 2020 port explosion. She is also the founder of the "PublisHer" initiative, a global network bringing together over a thousand women working in the publishing sector to promote equality, diversity, and fair representation in creative industries. In international recognition of her outstanding contributions to education and cultural development, the University of Leicester in the UK awarded Her Highness the title of Honorary Professor, making her the first person to receive this honor in the university's history. Her appointment as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture reflects her steadfast vision that books and education are the foundation for building open, creative, and knowledge-based societies. Through founding and managing her "Kalamata" Group, she contributed to the development of the modern book industry in the UAE and the Arab world. She also established several leading knowledge institutions, including the Emirates Publishers Association, the Emirates Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), and the "Culture Without Borders" foundation, all aimed at fostering a reading culture and enhancing the publishing industry.
