Arab Media Summit 2026 opens in Dubai on Tuesday

Dubai: The 24th Arab Media Summit will begin in Dubai on Tuesday under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. The summit, the largest edition in its history, will run until September 17 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Chairperson of the Arab Media Summit Organising Committee, said this year's event brings together an unprecedented range of participants at a time when the media industry is undergoing significant geopolitical, economic and technological transformations. She said the summit's eight specialised forums will explore ways to strengthen the competitiveness of Arab media by sharing ideas, experiences and international best practices, while creating new opportunities for collaboration. The summit will feature a distinguished line-up of Emirati, Arab and international speakers, led by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, who will deliver a keynote address. Senior UAE officials participating include Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State; Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority; Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence Affairs, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee at the Federal National Council; and Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council. International participants include Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council; Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser to the US President on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs; Elias Bou Saab, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament; Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration; and Maka Botchorishvili, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. The summit will also host information ministers from several Arab countries, including Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan. Senior executives from leading international media organisations will take part, including Paul Bascobert, President of Reuters News; Pedro Vargas David, Chairman of Euronews and CEO of Alpac Capital; Claus Strunz, CEO of Euronews; Phil Chetwynd, Global News Director of Agence France-Presse; and journalist Hala Gorani. The event will also feature the participation of prominent Arab actors, including Abed Fahed, Ahmed Al Awady, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Nelly Karim, Dina El Sherbiny, Karess Bashar, Carmen Bsaibes, Yara Elsokkary and Youssef Al Khal, alongside Gulf stars Samira Ahmed, Dawood Hussain and Mohammed Al Mansour. Over three days, more than 175 sessions will bring together senior government officials, media executives, editors-in-chief, writers, analysts, content creators and influencers from 23 countries. The summit comprises the Arab Media Forum, Government Communication Forum, Arab Youth Media Forum, Films Forum, Games Forum, Dubai PodFest, Arab Social Media Influencers Summit and the Euronews Forum. The programme also includes specialised workshops, training sessions and events organised in partnership with leading international media organisations. Three awards will be presented during the summit: the Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award, the Arab Media Award and the Arab Social Media Influencers Award.