This year's edition launches under the theme "This is How We Start," with Morocco as the guest of honour.

In his speech, Al Qasimi addressed the efforts to promote the Arabic language, its literature, sciences, and history, and the importance of the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language. His Highness noted his commitment to advancing knowledge, disseminating culture, and empowering the Arabic language worldwide.

The Ruler of Sharjah welcomed the tremendous international presence, expressing his delight at this occasion that celebrates the book at the highest levels and unprecedented qualitative production represented in the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language, issued in 127 volumes.

He reviewed the idea of this corpus, noting that it contains a wealth of linguistic and scientific heritage. This corpus will be followed by other cultural projects that give the Arabic language its due as a great and lasting language.

Sheikh Al Qasimi announced his intention to launch the Arabic Encyclopedia project, on which work has begun. This project will be added to Sharjah's major cultural projects in the Arabic language and the nation’s history and heritage.

"We have started on a great scientific project, no less important than the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language, the comprehensive Arab Encyclopedia in the sciences, literature, arts, and figures. This great cultural project will also return the nation to its sciences, arts, and literature. It will revive the study of the biographies and histories of its great figures, from scholars, jurists, interpreters, philosophers, writers, poets, and many others, and this is the true connection between the nation's present and its glorious past," he added.

During the opening ceremony, Al Qasimi honoured the Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi as the cultural personality of the year at this year’s edition and the heads of the Arab language academies who contributed to the completion of the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language, as well as the Al Qasimi Publications, which worked on implementing, printing, and producing complete volumes.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, the CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, announced that the Sharjah International Book Fair continues to rank first globally for the fourth consecutive year in terms of buying and selling publishing rights, emphasizing that the fair's achievements on the ground are the result of a deep belief that the book is not just a carrier of knowledge, but the original driver through which nations build their place in the history of human civilization.

Latifa Mouftakir, director of the Moroccan Archive Foundation, delivered a speech as the guest of honour of the fair’s 43rd edition, in which she expressed her deep appreciation and gratitude to the Ruler of Sharjah and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for honouring Morocco by inviting it to be the guest of honour of this year’s edition. Mouftakir pointed to the deep-rooted ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco throughout history.

The SIBF’s 43rd edition hosts 2,522 publishers and exhibitors from 108 countries, alongside 250 guests from 63 nations who will lead a packed agenda of over 1,357 diverse events. This agenda will include 500 cultural sessions, workshops, and panel discussions where authors will engage with crucial cultural and literary issues and explore the latest trends in Arab and global literature.

The fair will also feature over 85 prominent Emirati and Arab authors and 49 renowned international guests from 14 countries. During the 12-day cultural festival, more than 400 authors will sign their latest works, adding to the event’s vibrant literary landscape.