Dubai to Host Arab Media Summit 2026 Under Sheikh Mohammed

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office 

The Dubai Press Club has shared exciting news for the media world. They announced that the next Arab Media Summit will take place from 31 March to 2 April 2026. This important event will happen under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

This announcement came after the successful end of the 2025 Arab Media Summit, which was held earlier this year. Many new ideas and programs were introduced during the 2025 edition, making it one of the most memorable events in recent years.

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Highlights of the 2025 Arab Media Summit

The 2025 edition was special because it brought in new forums and reports that helped everyone understand the media world better. One of the major highlights was the launch of the Film and Gaming Forum. This new forum became a part of the Arab Media Summit for the first time and focused on films and gaming as powerful tools of media and storytelling.

Another key part of the summit was the release of the ‘Arab Media Outlook - Future Vision’ report. This report gave detailed insights into what the future of Arab media could look like, what challenges it might face, and how to overcome them. The summit also had important discussions about the future of media, where experts talked about how media is changing and how technology and digital platforms are becoming stronger each day.

Words from Dubai Press Club Leaders

Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, who is the 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, shared her thoughts on this announcement.

She said that preparations for the 2026 summit are already in full swing. The organising committee has started planning and has reviewed the outcomes of the 2025 edition that ended on 28 May. They are now focusing on deciding the main topics for the 2026 summit to make it even more useful and meaningful for everyone attending.

She also explained that creating the agenda for such a big summit is not an easy task. It takes almost a year of planning and teamwork. The team works with different media organisations from across the Arab region to find out what are the most important issues affecting the media today. This helps them plan sessions and talks that can support the growth of media in the Arab world.

Large Participation in 2025 Edition

The 2025 Arab Media Summit was attended by more than 8,000 participants from 26 countries. It included 175 sessions that featured nearly 300 famous speakers from across the Arab world. These speakers shared their knowledge, experiences, and ideas with the attendees, making the summit a rich learning experience for everyone.

Teamwork is the Key to Success

Maryam Al Mulla, who is the Acting Director of the Dubai Press Club and a member of the Organising Committee, also spoke about the success of the 2025 edition. She thanked everyone who helped in organising the event. She said that teamwork is the real reason behind Dubai’s success in many areas, including media. According to her, working together as a team helps them achieve their goals and make each event better than the last.

What to Expect in the 2026 Edition

Maryam Al Mulla also talked about the upcoming 2026 summit. She said that this edition will be another big step in the long journey of the Arab Media Summit. The journey started in 2001 with the first Arab Media Forum. Since then, the event has grown and expanded into the larger Arab Media Summit, including many new forums and awards.

She mentioned that the 2026 summit will continue to focus on empowering talented media professionals, inspiring young people, and strengthening partnerships between media organisations in the region. It will also highlight the new technologies that are shaping the future of media across the world.

Different Parts of the Arab Media Summit

The Arab Media Summit is not just one event. It is an umbrella for many important programs and forums that take place during the summit days. Some of these include:

• Arab Media Forum – the original event that started it all in 2001.

• Arab Youth Media Forum – a platform for young media enthusiasts.

• Arab Media Award – recognising excellence in Arab media.

• Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award – encouraging young talents in media.

• Arab Social Media Influencers Summit and Award – celebrating social media influencers who create positive impact.

• Film and Gaming Forum – focusing on films and gaming as media tools.

A Look at the Bigger Picture

The Arab Media Summit is seen as a very important event for the media industry in the Arab region. It helps bring together journalists, editors, content creators, filmmakers, gaming professionals, and social media influencers under one roof. They get a chance to discuss new ideas, learn from each other, and find ways to improve their work.

Dubai has always focused on becoming a leading hub for media, technology, and innovation. Events like the Arab Media Summit support this vision by creating strong networks and sharing knowledge that can help the entire region grow.

With the announcement of the 2026 Arab Media Summit dates, preparations have officially begun. The Dubai Press Club and the Organising Committee are working hard to make sure that the next edition will be bigger, better, and more beneficial for everyone in the media world.

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri and Maryam Al Mulla’s words show the strong commitment of Dubai to keep improving its media landscape and to provide platforms where ideas can grow and turn into real actions. The upcoming summit in March and April 2026 is expected to bring fresh discussions, new partnerships, and powerful insights that will shape the future of Arab media in the years to come.