Baghdad: The Arab Media Summit 2026 is set to take place next month in Dubai, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. The National Media Authority (NMA) has announced its support for this significant event, serving as the “National Partner” for what is anticipated to be the largest edition in the summit’s history. The event will bring together leading figures in media and politics, alongside prominent content creators from across the Arab world.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, this partnership reflects the ongoing collaboration between the NMA and the Dubai Press Club, the organizing body of the summit. The summit, recognized as the largest media event of its kind in the region, aims to enhance the UAE’s standing as a regional and global hub for media development and innovation, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a leader in fostering a competitive media landscape capable of making a positive impact across Arab societies.
The upcoming edition promises to be the largest since the summit’s inception, featuring wider participation and support for initiatives that contribute to the development of media in the Arab world. It seeks to enhance the competitiveness of Arab media, enabling it to keep pace with global developments and create impactful and sustainable content.
Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, highlighted that the partnership between the NMA and the Arab Media Summit exemplifies joint national efforts across various sectors. He stated that this collaboration is rooted in an Emirati approach that emphasizes the integration of roles and unification of national efforts, with the belief that shaping the future is a collective responsibility. Competitive media, he noted, is characterized by professionalism and innovation, transforming knowledge into value, modern technologies into opportunities, and content into lasting impact.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, President of the Dubai Press Club, and Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the Arab Media Summit, expressed her pleasure at the cooperative efforts with the NMA. She emphasized that the partnership is a crucial addition to the summit, which aims to unite stakeholders in the media sector.
The Arab Media Summit 2026 will feature a number of specialized forums, including the Arab Media Forum, the Government Communication Forum, the Arab Youth Media Forum, the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, the Esports Forum, and the Film Forum, along with other international forums. It will also celebrate excellence and promising talent through the Arab Media Award, marking the silver jubilee of the Arab Journalism Award, as well as the Arab Youth Media Award (Ibdaa) and the Arab Social Media Influencers Award.