Doha: Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, participated in the opening of the Doha International Book Fair, held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center from 14 to 23 May 2026. During his visit, Sayyid Saud received an overview of significant intellectual, literary, and scientific publications and visited the Sultanate of Oman's pavilion, which included representations from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the National Records and Archives Authority. He also explored other Omani, GCC, and Arab publishing houses, praising the fair's diverse cultural and intellectual displays. The fair features extensive participation from 36 countries, showcasing over 515 publishing houses across 910 pavilions.

According to Oman News Agency, the Doha International Book Fair is a major cultural event in the region, attracting thousands of visitors and publishing industry representatives. It serves as a vital platform for cultural and intellectual exchange among publishing houses, intellectuals, and readers worldwide. On the opening day, Sayyid Saud engaged in discussions with Qatari officials, including Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari Minister of Culture, focusing on enhancing cultural cooperation and expertise exchange.

Sayyid Saud also met with Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, President of Qatar National Library, where he learned about the library's cultural facilities and publications. The discussion aimed at exchanging visions and knowledge to support the National Library within the Sayyid Tarik bin Taimur Cultural Complex. Furthermore, in a meeting with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatari Minister of Sports and Youth, Sayyid Saud explored Qatar's experience in developing sports facilities and hosting international events, such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with discussions on leveraging these experiences for regional benefit.