The fact that the ALC has put the event on hold a full month in advance suggests the UAE is not anticipating resolution of the Iran conflict any time soon.
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) has been postponed until further notice, organisers announced this week.
The decision affects the fair’s 2026 edition, originally scheduled to run from 11 to 20 April at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The Arab Publishers Association conveyed the postponement notice from Saeed bin Hamdan Al Taneiji, executive director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) and director of the book fair.
The association cited “the current circumstances in the region” as the primary reason for the deferral, noting that the decision was taken out of consideration for publishers, exhibitors, and international partners.
Regional Tensions Prompt Cancellation
The postponement follows escalating military confrontation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Recent developments have included direct strikes on strategic sites, widespread disruption to air traffic across the Middle East, and threats to energy supplies. Organisers warned of the potential for wider regional war, making large-scale international gatherings untenable at this time.
The fair, held under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ranks among the Middle East’s premier publishing events. The 2024 edition attracted 1,350 publishers from 90 countries and recorded 231,168 visitors, with 160,152 books sold. The 2025 edition had been expanded to a 10-day format (26 April to 5 May) to accommodate increased international participation.
The View From The Beach
Publishing professionals with planned rights meetings, distribution negotiations, and author programmes face immediate logistical challenges. The ALC has indicated that a rescheduled date will be announced in due course, though no timeframe has been specified.
This marks the second postponement in the fair’s recent history, following the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The recurrence underlines the vulnerability of cultural institutions to geopolitical instability.
Publishers are advised to monitor official communications from the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre for updates regarding rescheduling and contractual arrangements.
TNPS will of course provide updates as they come in, but as things stand, don’t hold your breath. The fact that the ALC has put the event on hold a full month in advance suggests the UAE is not anticipating resolution of the Iran conflict any time soon.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LInkedIn newsfeed.
