Agenda Of The 21st Arab Media Forum Unveiled

The Organising Committee of the Arab Media Forum unveiled the agenda of the 21st edition of the annual event at a media briefing held today. Scheduled to take place from 26 to 27 September under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, this year’s AMF aims to foster a deeper understanding of the crucial elements driving the development of Arab media. Under the theme ‘The Future of Arab Media’, the event is designed to explore the multi-faceted factors shaping the future of media in the region.

The forum will bring together over 3,000 distinguished attendees including influential media personalities, ministers and heads of leading local, Arab and international media organisations, as well as thought leaders, intellectuals and writers.

Raising industry capabilities

Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, the organiser of the Arab Media Forum said: “The extensive participation we’re witnessing this year is a testament to the pivotal role the Forum plays in generating ideas and insights that can transform Arab media. As the region’s pre-eminent media hub, Dubai plays a vital part in catalysing innovation and raising the regional industry’s ability to navigate challenges and keep pace with evolving global trends.”

Al Marri also highlighted that the forum will delve into a wide array of emerging developments that are fundamentally changing the way media functions. “Artificial intelligence, a frontier that is radically altering various industries, will also redefine media in new ways. The forum also aims to explore the influence of cinema and drama as forces supplementing traditional media in shaping social perceptions,” she noted.

“Furthermore, as the UAE gears up for COP28 and continues to maintain its strong focus on sustainability, we have integrated this vital topic into the forum’s discussions,” added Al Marri.

Prominent speakers

The 21^stArab Media Forum features a distinguished lineup of speakers including His Excellency  Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President; Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority ; His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA); His Excellency Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information Affairs of Bahrain; His Excellency Faisal Shboul, Minister of Information of Jordan; and His Excellency Karam Gaber, Chairman of Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation.

The two-day Arab Media Forum will be preceded by the first-ever Youth Media Forum, exclusively dedicated to young media professionals. The new event seeks to equip the next generation of media professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to flourish in a rapidly changing media environment.

Enduring partnerships

Dr. Maitha Buhumaid, Director of the Dubai Press Club, said the success of the Arab Media Forum over the last two decades has been driven by strong, enduring partnerships with the region’s media community. The event’s agenda was developed after extensive consultations with leading media organisations and industry stakeholders to make sure it addresses opportunities and challenges currently facing the sector, she noted.

In keeping with the event’s theme, ‘The Future of Arab Media’, the organising committee has curated the event to provide deeper insights into vital issues impacting the long-term growth of sector, the Director of DPC said. Key topics of discussion include advancements in artificial intelligence, sustainability, cinema and the dramatic arts. The Forum’s ultimate goal is to raise the Arab media sector’s ability to positively shape the future of the Arab world, Dr. Buhumaid added.

This 2023 Arab Media Forum will see over 75 sessions featuring 130 speakers and the participation of 160 media organisations. The forum will explore cutting-edge media trends, share inspiring success stories and discuss a new vision for charting a bright future for the Arab world’s media.

Insights into the future

A session featuring His Excellency Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council,on the first day of the forum titled ‘The Arabian Gulf’s Future Amidst Regional Conflict’ will explore the future of the region amidst global changes. His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, will discuss the evolving political landscape in the Middle East and offer insights into the political future of the Arab world in a session titled ‘The Arab Region: Future Scenarios’.Among other significant sessions, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will discuss the symbiotic relationship between media and culture in a session titled ‘Culture and Media: Crafting a Creative Vision for the Future’.

The forum will also feature a panel discussion between Arab Ministers of Information including His Excellency Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information Affairs of Bahrain; His Excellency Faisal Shboul, Minister of Information of Jordan; and His Excellency Karam Gaber, Chairman of Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation. The panel will examine the state of Arab media in the face of regional and global shifts.

Prepared for the future

Multiple sessions will explore topics related to advanced technologies, including AI’s role in enhancing the capabilities of Arab media, the sector’s preparedness to integrate AI technologies, and the AI-powered automation of media functions.

His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, will participate in a panel on ‘MetaTech: The Future Gateway’

The opening day of the forum will witness a session titled ‘The Art of the Deal: Trade Diplomacy in the Digital Era’ featuring His Excellency Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World.

HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan will be leading a session on the second day of the forum titled ‘Media and Sustainability’.

New directions for digital platforms, newsrooms

In the context of what digital platforms have come to represent in terms of the direction the media and entertainment sectors are taking, the forum opens the door for intense discussions about the prospects of these platforms.

Trends and tools seen transforming newsrooms over the next two decades will also take centre stage.

Evolving landscape

Sessions such as ‘Exploring the Future of Journalism in the Web3 and Metaverse Era’ will throw light on how technology continues to bring about a sea change in the way Arab journalism evolves. Other sessions that cover this topic include a session titled ‘AI Governance in Media”, and another titled ‘Economy and Media: Partnership and Integration.’

‘Is a New Global System on the Horizon?’ and ‘The Middle East – Zone of Opportunities or Conflicts?’ are other sessions on the cards, the latter being led by Afshin Molavi, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

New horizons

New topics woven into the event’s fabric this year also reflect a renewed focus on the future of drama and film production in the Arab region, with one session deliberating on ways of restoring Arab drama to its former glory in terms of reach and impact.

In keeping with the forum’s accent on how technology is shaping the future of media, the opening day features a dialogue titled ‘AI and the Future of Arabic Drama’ with artists from across the Arab world lending their perspective.

The second day will see a session titled ‘AI: The New Frontier for Cinema’. The discussion will delve into what AI portends for films, actors and scriptwriters and how such technologies could ultimately enhance creative storytelling.

The power of collaboration to keep up with future trends will be on show during a session titled ‘Communications Lessons from the Sino-Arab Media Dialogue’ with Jia Bing, the general manager of CGTN China and Lubna Bouza from Sky News Arabia weighing in.

The organisers also announced that ahead of AMF, they will hold the inaugural Youth Media Forum on Day Zero on 25 September under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

The one-day event will offer a series of sessions that include panel discussions and workshops led by experts from international media organisations. The forum will focus on key factors that drive excellence in today’s evolving media landscape. The Youth Media Forum will have a strong focus on equipping the next generation of media professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to flourish in a rapidly changing media environment.

Netflix will participate in a masterclass titled ‘The Media Forum for Youth on Storytelling through Films and Digital Platforms’, while TikTok will present a masterclass on ‘How to Kickstart Your TikTok Career’.

The Arab Media Forum is one of the major events i nDubai Press Club’s annual calendar of events. Launched two decades ago, the forum has emerged as the most comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange in the Arab media community. The event has steadily evolved in scope and reach to encompass a broad international outlook.