The National Library and Archives Hosts a Media Forum on the sidelines of the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) 2025

In keeping with its annual tradition, the National Library and Archives (NLA) held a forum for media professionals alongside the 56th Cairo International Book Fair. The event aimed to highlighting the NLA’s key cultural and developmental initiatives, along with its significant contribution to the cultural and intellectual landscape among creators and to the enrichment of knowledge societies.
The forum saw the participation of His Excellency Mohamed Ahmed Al-Murr, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Library and Archives, along with various newspaper editors, editors-in-chief from Egyptian media outlets, and numerous media professionals.
His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, inaugurated the forum with a speech emphasizing the significance of the Cairo International Book Fair. He extended congratulations to the sisterly Republic of Egypt for its remarkable success in organizing this prominent annual cultural event, which stands as one of the largest book fairs in the Middle East. He underscored that the NLA’s participation in CIBF 2025 reflects the strong ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Republic of Egypt. These relations, nurtured by the wise leaderships and the peoples of both nations, continue to evolve, bolstered by new avenues of cooperation that foster prosperity and development for both countries.

His Excellency highlighted the significant advancements witnessed by the National Library and Archives at this stage, noting its emergence as a leading institution in the creation of serious and impactful cultural content. This progress is evident in the NLA’s influential role within the cultural landscape, serving as a hub of cultural dissemination that enhances libraries through its specialized publications, which provide documented and precise information. Additionally, the NLA organizes a variety of cultural events both within and beyond the borders of the United Arab Emirates, while also demonstrating a strong commitment to safeguarding the nation’s documentary heritage. His Excellency emphasized that concurrently, the National Library is focused on expanding its diverse cultural collection and ensuring its accessibility. He asserted that the overall cultural activity is undergoing a significant qualitative transformation, characterized by the integration of artificial intelligence and its applications, which will facilitate long-term preservation, digitization, and content availability, with the overarching aim of leveraging AI across all sectors.
His Excellency commended the vital role of media professionals and their significant contributions to the renaissance and advancement of the national development framework. He emphasized their role in fostering positive values, envisioning the future, cultivating generational culture, and reinforcing national identity. He expressed high regard for their constructive efforts and encouraged them to highlight the experiences of the National Library and Archives in the United Arab Emirates, which is dedicated to preserving heritage and history while promoting a culture that enriches, inspires, and empowers knowledge societies.
The forum took place at the Intercontinental City Stars Hotel in Cairo. It was attended by a large number of Egyptian media professionals, the National Library and Archives team participating in the activities of the Book Fair, representatives from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Egypt, along with distinguished writers and intellectuals.