Third Early Childhood Literacy Conference to be held in capital

In the presence of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, and Sana Bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and Managing Director of the National Academy for Childhood Development (NACD), an MoU was signed at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah between Kalimat Group and the NACD, to organise the third edition of the Early Childhood Literacy Conference 2026, which will take place in Abu Dhabi for the first time under the theme “Horouf and Kalimat.”

The agreement was signed by Ahmed Abdulsalam Al Ali, Managing Director of Kalimat Group, and Dr Meera Saeed Al Kaabi, Acting President of NACD.

The move reflects the continued strategic cooperation between the two entities. The partnership builds on the remarkable success of last year’s edition, which cemented the conference’s position as the first specialised early childhood literacy conference in the Arab world.

This step marks the culmination of a growing collaboration between the two parties and reflects a shared vision to support early childhood development and strengthen the presence of the Arabic language in children’s lives from their earliest years. This will be achieved through the development of knowledge-based and educational content dedicated to children, families, and caregivers.

Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the third edition also marks an important milestone in strengthening the conference’s national impact and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading regional hub for advancing early childhood initiatives and child-focused knowledge.

This comes amid growing recognition of the role of the family and the Arabic language in shaping children’s character and strengthening their cultural identity.

The 2026 edition sees a remarkable expansion in both the scope of the conference and its scientific content.

It brings together a distinguished group of experts, academics, and specialists in early childhood, Arabic language, literacy, education, and child-focused publishing.

It will also provide an effective platform for teachers, researchers, and educational content creators from across the UAE to explore modern tools and approaches that enhance the quality of early education and offer practical solutions to the challenges facing Arabic language learning.

Childhood is at the core of development

Commenting on the MoU, Sheikha Bodour said: “This collaboration is rooted in the belief that early childhood literacy is the foundation of human development. It is the stage at which a child’s relationship with language takes shape, and where their ability to learn, think and create begins. Accordingly, we place early childhood at the centre of cultural and development priorities to raise generations capable of sustaining progress and contributing to the UAE’s vision of a knowledge-based, identity-driven society.”

She added: “This MoU reinforces the importance of alignment between national institutions to boost the impact of cultural initiatives and transform them into sustainable systems embedded within society. The conference aims to advance knowledge and practice in literacy, and strengthen the presence of the Arabic language in the lives of children and families, and thereby establish reading as a foundational tool for a more aware, cohesive and forward-looking society.”

The conference is set to feature a diverse programme of sessions and interactive activities, along with showcases highlighting innovative educational experiences.

It will also include specialised panel discussions, training workshops, and presentations of the latest studies and practices related to literacy and children’s language development. Together, these elements will create an advanced knowledge-sharing platform for exchanging expertise and building capacity in this vital sector.

For her part, Sana Bint Mohamed Suhail, the UAE Minister of Family, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and Managing Director of NACD, said: “We believe that investment in early childhood education is an investment in the future of society. The empowerment of families and the reinforcement of their role is the cornerstone of building generations who are connected to their identity and culture.”