Summit

About Summit

Our Libraries, Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Foundation proudly presents the second edition of the Dubai International Library and Publishing Summit (DILPS 2025).

The summit invites global thought leaders, innovators, and creators to explore how libraries and publishing continue to evolve, bridging the past, present, and future through history, technology, and imagination.

This year’s summit explores how technology, creativity, and cultural dialogue are redefining the way we create and share knowledge.

From artificial intelligence and digital publishing to translation, accessibility, and sustainability, DILPS 2025 celebrates the ideas and innovations transforming the global landscape of learning.

Secure Your Spot for 2025

Summit Agenda

Our three-day summit offers a comprehensive program of innovation, dialogue, and discovery, designed to explore the most pressing topics shaping the publishing world and the evolving role of libraries in society.

Day

01

Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speeches

Begin the summit with inspiring keynote addresses and powerful insights from leading global figures. Acquire the trends shaping the publishing industry and the evolving role of libraries in contemporary society.

Highlights:

  • Opening Address by H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr
  • Keynote: The Future of Reading in the Age of AI
  • Fireside Chat: The Transforming Reader Experience

Day

02

Workshops & Expert Panels

Dive into interactive sessions led by experts in publishing, design, technology, and translation.

Highlights:

  • AI and the Future of Publishing
  • Libraries in a Post-Digital World
  • Roundtable: Innovation, Access, and Inclusion

Day

03

Networking & Closing Session

Conclude the summit with lasting connections and meaningful takeaways for the future.

Highlights:

  • Speed Networking with Industry Leaders
  • Closing Keynote: Sustaining Impact Beyond the Summit
  • Audience Q&A and Summit Reflections

Workshops

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

DILPS Opening Speech

DILPS Opening Speech
10:16 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
11:30 am - 1:00 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
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 3

Masterclass: The Importance of Editing in Arabic Literature

Masterclass: The Importance of Editing in Arabic Literature
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm| MBRL Information Centre

The Power of Translation

The Power of Translation
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm| MBRL General Library

Selling and Buying International Rights

Selling and Buying International Rights
12:15 pm - 1:00 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 - 3:30 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 4

Managing Operations and Supply Chain Workshop

Managing Operations and Supply Chain Workshop
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 3

Workshop: Introduction to the Publishing Process

Workshop: Introduction to the Publishing Process
2:00 pm - 2:30 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
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 - 3:30 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 - 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
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm| MBRL Foyer

Do Prizes Drive Publishing?

Do Prizes Drive Publishing?
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
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm| MBRL Periodical Library

Do awards lead the publishing industry?

Do awards lead the publishing industry?
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Book Prizes and Power Plays

Book Prizes and Power Plays
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
2:30 pm - 3:30 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 - 3:25 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
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
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Foyer

Disruption, Innovation and Adaptation: The Next Decade of Publishing

Disruption, Innovation and Adaptation: The Next Decade of Publishing
10:00 am - 12:00 pm| 4th Floor Conference Room 4

Bookbinding Workshop

Bookbinding Workshop
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm| MBRL Foyer

From Rights to Revenue: International Trends and Commercial Distribution Strategies

From Rights to Revenue: International Trends and Commercial Distribution Strategies
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
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 - 11:20 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| 4th Floor Conference Room 10

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 - 12:30 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 - 2:20 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Keynote: Excellence in Arabic Book Publishing

Keynote: Excellence in Arabic Book Publishing
2:00 pm - 4:00 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 - 3:30 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

Keynote: Summit Resolution & Closing Remarks

Keynote: Summit Resolution & Closing Remarks
4:45 pm - 5:15 pm| MBRL Auditorium

Keynote: Summit Resolutions & Closing Remarks

Keynote: Summit Resolutions & Closing Remarks

List of Speakers

HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr

HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr

Summit Speaker
HE Omar Al Olama

HE Omar Al Olama

Summit Speaker
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
Marcia Lynx Qualey

Marcia Lynx Qualey

Summit Speaker
Rebecca DeWald

Rebecca DeWald

Summit Speaker
Arunava Sinha

Arunava Sinha

Summit Speaker
Ranya Abdelrahman

Ranya Abdelrahman

Moderator
Alexandra Maramenides

Alexandra Maramenides

Summit Speaker
Govind Deecee

Govind Deecee

Summit Speaker
Mustafa Alrawi

Mustafa Alrawi

Moderator
Sherif Bakr

Sherif Bakr

Summit Speaker
Obaid Bu Malha

Obaid Bu Malha

Summit Speaker
Farid Zahran

Farid Zahran

Summit Speaker
Fatma Al Tamimi

Fatma Al Tamimi

Moderator

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Previous Summit

Dubai International Library Conference 2024

The inaugural Dubai International Library Conference 2024 (DILC 2024) marked a defining moment for the global library community.

Under the theme “Our Libraries: Past, Present, Future,” it brought together scholars, professionals, and innovators from around the world to share insights, experiences, and breakthroughs in the field of library and information sciences.

The success of DILC 2024 laid the foundation for DILPS 2025, expanding its vision to include the publishing industry and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for cultural exchange and intellectual progress.