The Dubai Press Club (DPC) has officially announced the full agenda for the highly anticipated Arab Media Summit (AMS) 2025, a flagship event that will convene the region’s most influential voices in journalism, digital media, communication, and content creation.
Scheduled to take place from 26 to 28 May at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), the three-day summit aims to shape the future of media in the Arab world.
Held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and guided by 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, AMS 2025 is poised to be the largest and most dynamic edition yet.
Read: Dubai Press Club reveals ninth ‘Ibda’a Award’, calls Arab media students for submissions
A regional media powerhouse event
Bringing together over 6,000 participants and more than 300 speakers, the summit will feature a high-caliber lineup of experts, including government ministers, editors-in-chief of leading regional publications, prominent media executives, digital content creators, influencers, academics, and professionals specializing in media technology.
The agenda will spotlight key trends shaping the global media landscape, from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive storytelling to regulatory challenges and the future of newsrooms in the digital age.
A series of panel discussions, keynote addresses, workshops, and networking sessions are designed to encourage dialogue, foster collaboration, and catalyze innovation across the media ecosystem.
Visionary dialogue and innovation
Commenting on the announcement, the Dubai Press Club said AMS 2025 reflects Dubai’s commitment to promoting free and responsible media, supporting regional talent, and advancing the role of the Arab world in global media discourse.
The event will also showcase groundbreaking projects and technologies revolutionizing content production and consumption, providing a platform for startups and innovators to connect with media institutions and investors.
Strategic media engagement
As the Arab world continues to navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape, AMS 2025 is expected to serve as a strategic platform for forging new partnerships and setting the tone for regional media development.
The summit supports Dubai’s broader vision to become a leading global hub for media and innovation, aligning with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “The Arab Media Summit 2025 marks a new strategic milestone in Dubai’s integrated vision to build a dynamic Arab media landscape — one that is equipped to respond to global shifts and shape impactful content that reflects the region’s identity and future aspirations.
“Media is a vital partner in development and a key driver of social awareness. We are committed to supporting its role as a catalyst for stability and progress. Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we continue to strengthen Dubai’s position as the capital of Arab media and a global platform for influential voices across traditional and digital sectors.
“The agenda of this year’s summit adopts a forward-looking approach, addressing key areas such as artificial intelligence, transformative technologies, film and gaming, which are now central to shaping modern media narratives. We also place strong emphasis on empowering Arab youth and creating meaningful opportunities that enable them to contribute to content creation rooted in regional identity and driven by a vision for a more prosperous and stable future.”
A comprehensive three-day program
The Arab Media Summit 2025 will feature a rich and diverse program across its three days.
May 26: Arab Youth Media Forum
A dynamic platform dedicated to emerging media talent, this forum will include the Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award ceremony, honoring the region’s most promising young communicators.
May 27: Arab Media Forum
The region’s largest annual media gathering will feature thought leaders and industry pioneers discussing trends, challenges, and the future of Arab journalism. The day will also include the presentation of the prestigious Arab Media Award, and the announcement of the Media Personality of the Year.
May 28: Arab Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS)
The Summit concludes with ASMIS, spotlighting the evolving landscape of digital influence. The event will culminate in the presentation of the Arab Social Media Influencers Award, celebrating impactful content creators across platforms.
Shaping the future of Arab media
This year’s summit aims to be more than a convening of media professionals — it serves as a platform for dialogue, talent recognition, and strategic collaboration.
By spotlighting innovation, youth empowerment, and regional excellence, AMS 2025 reinforces Dubai’s role as a global media hub and a catalyst for progress in the Arab media landscape.
Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, vice chairperson and managing director of the Dubai Media Council, president of the Dubai Press Club, and chairperson of the Organising Committee of the Arab Media Summit, highlighted the event’s growing influence as a platform for shaping the future of Arab media, emphasizing that the 2025 edition marks “a new phase in Dubai’s strategic vision for media development and innovation.”
“The Arab Media Summit 2025 further reinforces Dubai’s position as the capital of Arab media and strengthens its standing as a leading venue for industry dialogue,” Al Marri remarked.
“This year’s edition comes at a pivotal time for the industry, as artificial intelligence and digital innovation continue to redefine how content is created, distributed, and consumed. The agenda reflects these shifts, offering a future-oriented perspective on the profound transformations reshaping the regional and global media landscape.
“We have designed the Summit as a dynamic space for dialogue and discovery, bringing together media professionals, policymakers, innovators, and creatives from across the Arab world to collaboratively shape a more agile, inclusive, and future-ready media ecosystem.”
Among the new initiatives announced is the launch of the Film and Gaming Forum, a key addition to the summit’s agenda.
Arab Media Outlook 2025: Shaping industry trends
Another major highlight will be the release of the Arab Media Outlook 2025, a flagship Dubai Press Club publication that provides in-depth, data-driven analysis of the region’s media transformation.
The report serves as a strategic resource for policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, academics, and media professionals seeking to navigate the evolving communications landscape.
High-level keynotes and regional dialogues
The Arab Media Forum on May 27 will open with keynote speeches by:
- His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif
- His Excellency Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon
The forum’s first day will also feature:
- A special dialogue with HE Asaad Al Shaibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria
- A session with HE Dr. Ghassan Salameh, Minister of Culture of Lebanon
- A discussion with Dr. Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar, Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry
Additionally, a high-level ministerial panel will bring together Arab information leaders, including:
- HE Abdulrahman Al Mutairie, Minister of Information and Culture of Kuwait
- Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Noaimi, Minister of Information of Bahrain
- HE Paul Morcos, Minister of Information of Lebanon
- HE Ahmed Al Maslamani, chairman, National Media Authority of Egypt
- HE Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, chairman, National Media Office, UAE
Spotlight on social media and global perspectives
On May 28, the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS) will explore the role of digital influence in an algorithm-driven world.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, will deliver a keynote on the intersection of culture, creativity, and media in the digital age.
HE Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, will offer insights into how digital platforms are reshaping public communication and supporting national priorities.
British broadcaster Piers Morgan, a global media figure, will headline the closing day with a high-profile session on global journalism and public discourse.
Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan will also participate in a conversation exploring the crossover between entertainment, influence, and media in the Arab world.
HE Al Marri will take part in a main session during ASMIS to share her strategic perspective on the future of Arab media in an era of disruption and opportunity.
The Arab Youth Media Forum, opening the summit on May 26, will feature sessions with prominent figures such as:
- HE Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the UAE President
- Elias Bou Saab, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament and Executive Vice President of the American University in Dubai
The forum will culminate in the Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award ceremony, recognizing emerging talent from across the region.
The summit will also celebrate thought leadership and literary excellence through sessions featuring:
- Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government
- Saud Alsanousi, award-winning Kuwaiti novelist
- Saeb Eigner, renowned art historian, presenting new research on Middle Eastern artists
Global media dialogue and academic engagement
The second day will examine the role of Arabic-language media on international platforms, featuring:
- Caroline Faraj, CNN vice president and editor-in-chief of CNN Arabic
- Maha El Dahan, Gulf bureau chief, Reuters
- Faisal Abbas, editor-in-chief, Arab News
International speakers including Michele Masneri from Italy and Japanese scholars Maki Sugimoto and Kunitake Kanika will add a global lens to discussions on the future of digital content and news networks.
Academic leadership and technology focus
Dr. Maitha Buhumaid, secretary general of the Arab Media Award and vice chairperson of the AMS Organising Committee, emphasized the event’s expanded focus on emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and their implications for the media ecosystem.
She highlighted the significant involvement of academic institutions, with United Arab Emirates University playing a leading role in dedicated sessions, masterclasses, and collaborative research presentations.
Dr. Buhumaid also revealed that the 2025 edition will include the signing of five Arab-international media agreements, signaling a new era of cross-border collaboration and media diplomacy.
A global platform for media evolution
With representation from 26 countries, the Arab Media Summit 2025 stands as the region’s most comprehensive media event — uniting thought leaders, decision-makers, and creatives under one roof to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and shape the future of Arab media.
Maryam Al Mulla, acting director of the Dubai Press Club, said: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the strategic partners of the Arab Media Summit 2025. Their steadfast support and exemplary cooperation are key to the Summit’s success, and a reflection of the growing recognition across institutions of the critical role media plays in driving sustainable development across the UAE and the Arab world.”
As part of the summit’s dynamic program, the Dubai Press Club platform will host a series of exclusive masterclasses delivered in partnership with some of the world’s leading media and technology giants.
Participating institutions include Google, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Disney, Blackmagic Design, and the Arabian Radio Network. These interactive sessions are designed to provide participants with hands-on insights into the latest tools, trends, and techniques shaping global media and digital content creation.
Celebrating emerging economic voices
One of the platform’s major highlights will be the graduation ceremony of the Economic Content Creators Program, a pioneering initiative launched by the Dubai Press Club in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Economy.
The program is part of the broader Dubai Content Creators Program, which aims to nurture a new generation of specialized content creators equipped to tell compelling economic stories and contribute to national development goals.
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