Summit

About Summit

Our Libraries: Past, Present, Future

Welcome to the Dubai International Library and Publishing Summit 2025, a premier event designed for professionals in the library, publishing, and information sectors. This summit will gather thought leaders, industry experts, and innovators to explore emerging trends, technological advancements, and the future of libraries and publishing.
The event will feature keynotes from renowned figures in the industry, along with interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of library services, digital publishing, and the integration of AI and technology in information management.

Secure Your Spot for 2025

Summit Agenda

Our Conference Agenda promises a comprehensive program focused on the most relevant topics facing the library and publishing industries. The agenda includes:

Day

01

Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speeches

Start the summit with a powerful lineup of keynote speakers, industry announcements, and inspiring talks from global leaders shaping the future of libraries and publishing.

Day

02

Workshops & Expert Panels

Get hands-on and dive deep. Day 2 is packed with interactive workshops and expert panel discussions covering the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the industry.

Day

03

Networking & Closing Session

Build lasting connections and wrap up with powerful takeaways.

Workshops

10:00 am - 10:15 am| MBRL Auditorium

DILPS Opening Speech

DILPS Opening Speech
10:15 am - 10:30 am| MBRL Auditorium

UAE Minister of AI Keynote

UAE Minister of AI Keynote
10:30 am - 11:00 am| MBRL Auditorium

Literary Theory for Robots

Literary Theory for Robots
11:00 am - 11:30 am| MBRL Auditorium

Opening Keynote

Opening Keynote
11:15 am - 12:45 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 10

Translating from Arabic to English

Translating from Arabic to English
11:30 am - 12:00 pm| MBRL Auditorium

The Impact of AI on Creativity and Publishing: How Publishing Can Embrace AI

The Impact of AI on Creativity and Publishing: How Publishing Can Embrace AI
11:45 am - 12:45 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 3

Masterclass: The Importance of Editing in Arabic Literature

Masterclass: The Importance of Editing in Arabic Literature
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm| MBRL Information Centre

The Power of the Spoken Word: Audiobooks - A Publishing Phenomenon

The Power of the Spoken Word: Audiobooks - A Publishing Phenomenon
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

Exporting Literature: Successful Strategies from Independent Publishers

Exporting Literature: Successful Strategies from Independent Publishers
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm| MBRL General Library

Selling and Buying International Rights

Selling and Buying International Rights
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm| MBRL Foyer

Books as a Mirror of Identity: The Responsibility of the Arab Publisher

Books as a Mirror of Identity: The Responsibility of the Arab Publisher
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm| MBRL Foyer

Shifting Landscapes: the Future of Arabic Publishing

Shifting Landscapes: the Future of Arabic Publishing
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 4

Managing Operations and Supply Chain Workshop

Managing Operations and Supply Chain Workshop
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 3

Workshop: Introduction to the Publishing Process

Workshop: Introduction to the Publishing Process
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

The Art of the Illustrated Book

The Art of the Illustrated Book
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 9

From Manuscript to Marketplace: Making Books and Workplaces Accessible Masterclass

From Manuscript to Marketplace: Making Books and Workplaces Accessible Masterclass
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm| MBRL Information Centre

The Power of Translation

The Power of Translation
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm| MBRL Auditorium

The Future of Cross-Border Publishing: Global Visions and Local Realities

The Future of Cross-Border Publishing: Global Visions and Local Realities
12:20 pm - 12:45 pm| MBRL Children's Library

ELF x TEC: UAE Science Books Announcement

ELF x TEC: UAE Science Books Announcement
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm| MBRL General Library

Green Publishing

Green Publishing
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 9

Understanding Rights – Demystifying the World of International Rights Sales

Understanding Rights – Demystifying the World of International Rights Sales
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

Report on Translation of Arabic Literature in the German-Speaking Countries

Report on Translation of Arabic Literature in the German-Speaking Countries
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm| MBRL Information Centre

Storytelling with Visual Power Picture Books, Comic Books & Manga

Storytelling with Visual Power Picture Books, Comic Books & Manga
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm| MBRL Foyer

Book Prizes and Power Plays

Book Prizes and Power Plays
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Two Way Mirrors: Translation To and From

Two Way Mirrors: Translation To and From
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm| MBRL General Library

Seeds of Imagination: Building a New Readership

Seeds of Imagination: Building a New Readership
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm| MBRL Information Centre

Global Market Performance in 2025

Global Market Performance in 2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

Information, Ethics and Integrity

Information, Ethics and Integrity
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm| MBRL Foyer

Arabic into the World: A Translation Revolution from The Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize

Arabic into the World: A Translation Revolution from The Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm| MBRL General Library

Government Entity Session Placeholder

Government Entity Session Placeholder
12:00 pm - 12:15 pm| MBRL Auditorium

MBRL Books Publishing Programme Launch

MBRL Books Publishing Programme Launch
11:30 am - 12:20 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Government Entity Session Placeholder

Government Entity Session Placeholder
10:00 am - 11:00 am| 4th Floor Conference Room 10

Masterclass: Enhancing Translators' Skillset

Masterclass: Enhancing Translators' Skillset
10:00 am - 11:00 am| 4th Floor Conference Room 3

Writing Children's Books Workshop

Writing Children's Books Workshop
10:00 am - 12:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 9

How to Edit Your Manuscript to Make It Publisher-Ready

How to Edit Your Manuscript to Make It Publisher-Ready
11:00 am - 12:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 3

Translating Fantasy

Translating Fantasy
11:00 am - 12:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 10

Content Editing Workshop

Content Editing Workshop
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm| MBRL Foyer

The Sociology of Translation

The Sociology of Translation
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 10

Masterclass: Unlocking the Power of Publishing and Sales Data

Masterclass: Unlocking the Power of Publishing and Sales Data
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 9

Influence: How to Get your Book Noticed Masterclass

Influence: How to Get your Book Noticed Masterclass
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Jamal bin Huwaireb Keynote (time tentative)

Jamal bin Huwaireb Keynote (time tentative)
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm| MBRL General Library

The Growing Global Appetite for Arabic Literature

The Growing Global Appetite for Arabic Literature
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

Globalization, Operations & Supply Chain within the Publishing Space

Globalization, Operations & Supply Chain within the Publishing Space
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm| MBRL Information Centre

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Building a Reading Community for All

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Building a Reading Community for All
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm| MBRL Foyer

Government Entity Session Placeholder

Government Entity Session Placeholder
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 4

Building a Successful Publishing Strategy

Building a Successful Publishing Strategy
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Keynote: Arabic Books into the Digital World

Keynote: Arabic Books into the Digital World
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 9

The Business of Book Agents

The Business of Book Agents
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL General Library

Memoir, Biography, Brand, and the Role of Ghostwriters

Memoir, Biography, Brand, and the Role of Ghostwriters
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

Lost in Translation: Recognising the Skills of Translators

Lost in Translation: Recognising the Skills of Translators
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Information Centre

Academic Publishing: University Presses, the Spaces they Currently Hold and the Outlook For the Future

Academic Publishing: University Presses, the Spaces they Currently Hold and the Outlook For the Future
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Foyer

Disruption, Innovation & Adaptation: The Next Decade of Publishing

Disruption, Innovation & Adaptation: The Next Decade of Publishing
3:45 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Do Prizes Drive Publishing?

Do Prizes Drive Publishing?
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 3

Workshop: The Art of Book Designing

Workshop: The Art of Book Designing
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 10

Literary Agents in the Arab World

Literary Agents in the Arab World
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm| MBRL Auditorium

In between Market and Culture

In between Market and Culture
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm| MBRL General Library

From the Page to the Screen, and Screen to Page

From the Page to the Screen, and Screen to Page
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

Editors in the Age of AI

Editors in the Age of AI
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm| MBRL Information Centre

Literature as a Cultural Bridge

Literature as a Cultural Bridge
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm| MBRL Foyer

From Rights to Revenue: International Trends and Commercial Distribution Strategies

From Rights to Revenue: International Trends and Commercial Distribution Strategies
10:00 am - 12:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 4

Bookbinding Workshop

Bookbinding Workshop
10:00 am - 12:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 9

Pitch Perfect: Preparing to Pitch to Agents and Publishers Workshop

Pitch Perfect: Preparing to Pitch to Agents and Publishers Workshop
10:00 am - 12:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 4

Illustration for Children’s Books Workshop

Illustration for Children’s Books Workshop
10:30 am - 11:30 am| MBRL Foyer

Copyright in the Age of AI

Copyright in the Age of AI
10:30 am - 11:30 am| MBRL Information Centre

What Sells in the UAE? Trends, Predictions, and Publishing Insights

What Sells in the UAE? Trends, Predictions, and Publishing Insights
10:30 am - 11:30 am| MBRL General Library

Cultivating The Next Generation of Readers

Cultivating The Next Generation of Readers
10:30 am - 11:30 am| MBRL Auditorium

Readers First: Investing in the Arab Mind

Readers First: Investing in the Arab Mind
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Foyer

Place, Memory, and Media: BrownBook’s Success Story

Place, Memory, and Media: BrownBook’s Success Story
11:30 am - 12:30 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 3

Creative Writing Workshop

Creative Writing Workshop
11:30 am - 1:30 pm| MBRL Auditorium

An Introduction to Writing with AI Workshop

An Introduction to Writing with AI Workshop
11:30 am - 12:30 pm| MBRL General Library

Reaching Schools: Marketing Children’s Books to Teachers and Librarians

Reaching Schools: Marketing Children’s Books to Teachers and Librarians
10:30 am - 12:30 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

Championing Literary Translation and the Advocacy of Underrepresented Voices

Championing Literary Translation and the Advocacy of Underrepresented Voices
11:30 am - 12:30 pm| MBRL Foyer

The Audio Boom: Trends, Impact and Innovation

The Audio Boom: Trends, Impact and Innovation
11:30 am - 2:30 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Alternative Ways to Expand Readership

Alternative Ways to Expand Readership
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm| MBRL General Library

Content Standards: When Does a Text Become a Book?

Content Standards: When Does a Text Become a Book?
1:30 pm - 2:20 pm| MBRL Foyer

Editing: The Crucial Link

Editing: The Crucial Link
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Keynote: Excellence in Arabic Book Publishing

Keynote: Excellence in Arabic Book Publishing
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 9

Writing For Children

Writing For Children
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm| MBRL General Library

Safeguarding Creativity: Protecting Rights in Arab Publishing

Safeguarding Creativity: Protecting Rights in Arab Publishing
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Foyer

What Makes a Bestseller?

What Makes a Bestseller?
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL General Library

Building a Sustainable Publishing House

Building a Sustainable Publishing House
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Resilient Publishing: Adapting to Crisis, Conflict, and Climate Change Closing Keynote

Resilient Publishing: Adapting to Crisis, Conflict, and Climate Change Closing Keynote

List of Speakers

HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr

HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr

Summit Speaker
HE Omar Al Olama

HE Omar Al Olama

Dennis Ye Tenen

Dennis Ye Tenen

Summit Speaker
Perminder Mann

Perminder Mann

Summit Speaker
Katharine Halls

Katharine Halls

Summit Speaker
Nadim Sadek

Nadim Sadek

Summit Speaker
Leila Aboulela

Leila Aboulela

Summit Speaker
 Jan Paterson

Jan Paterson

Summit Speaker
Brandy Scott

Brandy Scott

Moderator
Lynn Gaspard

Lynn Gaspard

Summit Speaker
Alexandra Maramenides

Alexandra Maramenides

Summit Speaker
Govind Deecee

Govind Deecee

Summit Speaker
Mustafa Alrawi

Mustafa Alrawi

Moderator

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Previous Summit

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In its first edition, DILC 2024 gathered specialists, professionals, and experts in the library sector from around the globe. Participants shared insights, experiences, and the latest advancements in the field of library and information sciences.