Kalimat Foundation Authorized to Publish Accessible Books Under UAE’s Marrakesh Treaty License

The Kalimat Foundation, a UAE-based nonprofit dedicated to accessible literature, has been granted a new license by the Emirates’ Ministry of Economy to operate under the Marrakesh Treaty framework. This authorization, signed by Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, the ministry’s undersecretary, empowers the foundation to produce and distribute published works in accessible formats for people who are blind, visually impaired, or print disabled, both within the UAE and internationally, without infringing copyright.

The license specifically permits the Kalimat Foundation to upload and download EPUB 3 format books through the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Accessible Books Consortium Book Service. The foundation aims to significantly increase the availability of Arabic-language titles on this global platform, enhancing access to literature for readers across the Middle East and beyond.

Through its Ara initiative, the Kalimat Foundation has already provided over 20,000 accessible titles across 36 locations in six Middle Eastern and North African countries. The foundation reports that its programs have reached up to 74 locations in 19 countries, benefiting approximately 145,500 children with print disabilities.

Bodour Al Qasimi, founding chair of the Kalimat Foundation and president of the International Publishers Association (IPA), expressed gratitude for the UAE Ministry of Economy’s trust. She emphasized that the foundation’s recognition as an authorized entity under the Marrakesh Treaty will enable it to utilize copyright exemptions to expand its accessible content offerings. Al Qasimi highlighted the foundation’s commitment to upholding the rights of young beneficiaries to access books and knowledge sources through enriched programming and content.

The Marrakesh Treaty, adopted on June 27, 2013, and administered by WIPO, entered into force on September 30, 2016. It requires contracting parties to implement standardized copyright limitations and exceptions that allow the reproduction, distribution, and availability of published works in accessible formats for persons with print disabilities. This treaty creates a legal framework permitting the development of accessible content without constituting copyright infringement.

WIPO estimates that less than 10 percent of the world’s published materials are available in accessible formats suitable for blind and low-vision individuals. The Accessible Books Consortium, a public-private initiative led by WIPO, currently offers at least 635,000 titles in accessible formats through its service.

The UAE was among the earliest countries to accede to the Marrakesh Treaty, joining in October 2014. WIPO’s latest data shows that 91 countries have now acceded, with Armenia being the most recent on May 31, 2022, following Malaysia and Montenegro earlier that year. The treaty continues to gain global traction toward widespread adoption.

In announcing the Kalimat Foundation’s new authorization, Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh stated, “The UAE is keen to develop its laws and regulations regarding intellectual property and copyright protection in line with international best practices.” He noted that Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on copyright and neighboring rights empowers visually impaired individuals to access knowledge, participate in cultural life, and benefit from technological advances in publishing through the UAE’s accession to the Marrakesh Treaty.

The Kalimat Foundation’s Ara initiative continues to build networks and partnerships aimed at sustaining the production of accessible content, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership role in promoting inclusive access to literature and knowledge for print-disabled communities regionally and globally.