An Emiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, led to the establishment of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) in 2014. The organisation aims to enhance investment in creative industries and provide a platform for knowledge and intellectual exchange between different nations and cultures. It also highlights the importance of books not just for their academic value, but for the impact they have in raising community awareness in view of rapid technological advancements and diverse sources of knowledge.
SBA is a key cultural entity responsible for conceptualising and curating a majority share of the emirate's literary, academic and cultural events, for instance, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF), and the Publishers Conference, in addition to many initiatives and events.