The events are expected to gather more than 4,000 participants, including 250 speakers and 200 notable media figures.
Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, and President of the Dubai Press Club, has announced the launch of the Arab Media Summit. This new initiative will serve as the umbrella for key media events organised by the Dubai Press Club (DPC), creating a unified platform for events and activities focused on knowledge exchange and dialogue in the media industry.
The 22nd Arab Media Forum, set to be held from 28 – 29 May, and the second Arab Youth Media Forum, scheduled for 27 May, will be organised under the Arab Media Summit umbrella. Additionally, the 23rd Arab Media Award and the fourth Arab Social Media Influencers Award, to be held during the upcoming Arab Media Forum, will form part of this summit.
Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri emphasized that the Arab Media Summit will serve as a prestigious platform for exchanging ideas, insights, expertise, and experiences. This will help the media industry contribute to realising the aspirations of the people in the region. The Summit aims to bring together media professionals to discuss the sector’s transformations and challenges, ensuring that Arab media fulfills its role as a key partner in sustainable development.
At a press conference, the organising committee of the 22nd Arab Media Forum, chaired by Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, revealed the forum’s agenda. As the premier platform in the Arab world for discussing the future of the region’s evolving media landscape, this year’s forum will feature participation from prominent politicians, media industry leaders, editors-in-chief, distinguished writers, thinkers, influencers, and content creators from the UAE, the Arab world, and the region. The forum will include discussions focused on analysing the key political, economic, social, technological, and cultural developments driving media transformation and the sector’s role in these changes.
An expanded agenda has been developed to discuss significant media issues, the positive impact, and potential challenges from the shifting economic and social landscape both in the region and globally. The Arab Media Forum will feature several closed sessions with experts and specialists to discuss various topics directly impacting the media sector, aiming to generate ideas and suggestions to enhance Arab media’s capacity to fulfill its mission effectively.
The second Arab Youth Media Forum will be dedicated to empowering the next generation of media professionals and influencers in the region. Notable speakers include His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and National Security Adviser, and His Excellency Dr Sultan AlNeyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth, in a main session titled ‘Aspirations of the Youth’.
Her Excellency also highlighted the inclusion of more young media talent in the next Board of Directors of the Arab Media Award, marking the end of the current board’s term. The new board will focus on evolving the award to keep pace with regional and global media advancements.
Key sessions at the 22nd Arab Media Forum include ‘Future of Yemen’ with His Excellency Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, Prime Minister of Yemen, sharing his vision for peace in Yemen and the media’s role in promoting dialogue. His Excellency Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, will speak on ‘Charting the GCC’s Future,’ discussing media integration in the GCC. His Excellency Dr Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash will engage in a conversation covering regional challenges. His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama will speak on ‘Tech Updates in Media,’ exploring technology’s role in advancing media excellence.
Other notable sessions include ‘Palestine Through the Lens of Arab Media,’ discussing media coverage of the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and ‘Impact of US Elections on the Region,’ analyzing the ramifications of the US elections on the region.
Global industry leaders like Pavel Durov, Founder of Telegram and VKontakte, will participate in discussions. The forum will also highlight success stories of Arab women in global media organisations, with sessions featuring Caroline Faraj and Samia Nakhoul. Dan Murphy will lead a session on regional peace and stability, and Rani Raad will discuss media investment trends.
The forum will address the growth of streaming platforms, the complex world of disinformation and AI in media, and feature renowned media figures like Bassem Youssef.
Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, highlighted the involvement of Brand Dubai’s ‘Proudly from Dubai’ network, showcasing innovative AI-driven media applications.
The prestigious Arab Media Award will honour outstanding achievements in regional media, and the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit Award will recognise the contributions of digital influencers. The Arab Youth Media Forum will feature masterclasses by leading global digital platforms, offering young media professionals valuable opportunities to hone their skills.
The 22nd Arab Media Forum will also celebrate renowned Arab authors and their literary contributions, reflecting the forum’s commitment to supporting the Arab creative and literary world.
