Piers Morgan Leads Historic Arab Media Summit in Dubai
Piers Morgan from the UK and Syria’s foreign minister will headline one of the region’s largest media gatherings – The Arab Media Summit. The event kicks off today at the Dubai World Trade Center and runs through May 28. More than 300 speakers and 6,000 participants from 26 countries will attend this landmark summit.
His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has extended his patronage to this summit. The program features 175 main sessions and 35 workshops. The summit combines three major events: the Arab Youth Media Forum, the Arab Media Forum, and the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit. The organizers want to reshape the scene of regional media through artificial intelligence and highlight the growing importance of film and gaming industries.
Who is Speaking at the Arab Media Summit 2025?
Image Source: Travels Dubai
The Arab Media Summit 2025 kicks off today with a stellar lineup of global and regional leaders. This three-day program brings together influential voices from politics, media, religion, and entertainment.
Global media icon Piers Morgan leads the impressive roster of media personalities. He takes the stage on the final day at the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, bringing his world-renowned expertise. The entertainment world shines with Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, who hosts a special conversation session on May 28.
This year’s summit features strong political participation. Syrian Foreign Minister His Excellency Asaad Al Shibani joins key discussions during the Arab Media Forum on May 27. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivers the keynote address at the official opening.
The summit includes a special dialog between Arab Information Ministers. His Excellency Abdulrahman Al Mutairie (Kuwait), Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Noaimi (Bahrain), His Excellency Paul Morcos (Lebanon), His Excellency Ahmed Al Maslamani (Egypt), and the UAE’s His Excellency Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed lead this discussion.
Religious wisdom comes from His Eminence the Grand Imam Prof. Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Sheik of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, who presents a keynote address.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, speaks at the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit about “Media’s Role in the Age of Algorithms”.
The distinguished participants include Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, Lebanese Minister of Culture His Excellency Dr. Ghassan Salameh, and Syrian Minister of Economy Dr. Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar. The summit culminates with the signing of five Arab-international media agreements.
How Dubai is Positioning Itself as a Media Innovation Hub
Dubai wants to establish itself as a global media innovation hub through several groundbreaking initiatives at this year’s Arab Media Summit. The inaugural Film and Gaming Forum leads these efforts and will run among other Summit events starting today. This forum expands Dubai’s media ecosystem and recognizes these creative sectors as vital economic drivers in the region.
HH Sheik Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s patronage enables the Dubai Films and Games Commission (DFGC) to host industry leaders. Amazon, Netflix, Square Enix, and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) will participate in this three-day event. Dubai’s steadfast dedication to becoming a creative content development launchpad across the Arab world shines through this initiative.
Dubai Press Club’s platform features specialized masterclasses created through collaboration with global tech giants and media institutions. Experts from Google, Snapchat, Instagram, Disney, TikTok, Blackmagic Design, and the Arabian Radio Network will share their knowledge with attendees.
Technology integration serves as the life-blood of Dubai’s media innovation strategy. Visitors can experience an interactive art installation created with internationally acclaimed artist Ferdi Alıcı. The installation uses artificial intelligence to capture and reflect audience involvement. An AI-powered video booth developed with du demonstrates ground applications of emerging technologies.
Dubai nurtures local talent through initiatives like the ‘Proudly from Dubai’ program while building mutually beneficial alliances. Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, reinforces “Dubai’s status as a launchpad for creative talent and entrepreneurial excellence”. The Summit celebrates the graduation of the first batch from the ‘Economic Content Creators Program,’ delivered with the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Museum of the Future’s selection as a venue for some events highlights Dubai’s forward-thinking approach to media development. Dubai positions itself as both a regional media center and a global hub for content creation and digital innovation through these coordinated efforts.
Why the Summit Matters for the Arab World’s Media Future
Image Source: Government of Dubai Media Office
This week’s Arab Media Summit means much more than just its stellar lineup of speakers. The three-day event starts today and marks a turning point for Arab media growth. It brings together regional challenges and worldwide opportunities on one platform.
The summit focuses on four key areas that will shape Arab media’s future:
- Media education and professional standards
- Technology integration and digital transformation
- Regional cooperation frameworks
- Content development and distribution strategies
Media scenes worldwide face major disruption, and the Arab world stands at a crucial turning point. The summit team has created workshops that respond to audience behaviors and technology adoption patterns that change faster throughout the region.
“This summit provides a unified platform to determine the future direction of Arab media and strengthen its global competitiveness,” states Mona Al Marri, President of the Dubai Press Club and Chairperson of the summit’s organizing committee.
The summit’s real value comes from its power to aid direct talks between groups that rarely meet. Government officials, private sector leaders, academics, and content creators will connect over three days. This creates unique chances for cooperative work that surpasses normal boundaries.
The timing makes perfect sense given current regional changes. As digital transformation sweeps across Arab nations, the summit offers a framework to establish common standards and best practices that can boost media credibility and help it work better.
Industry professionals at the summit will learn about day-to-day challenges and join long-term strategic talks. This mix of practical and strategic focus sets it apart from regular academic conferences or trade shows.
The Arab Media Summit has become more than just a meeting of influential figures. It shows a careful plan to state a shared vision for Arab media’s future – one that balances cultural authenticity with state-of-the-art technology, and regional priorities with global integration.
Shaping the Future of Arab Media
The Arab Media Summit 2025 opens today at Dubai World Trade Center and promises to be a defining moment for media development across the region. Discussions over the three days will without doubt focus on finding the right balance between technological breakthroughs and cultural authenticity. Participants will explore how artificial intelligence changes content creation.
The summit’s focus on growing sectors like film and gaming shows Dubai’s vision to broaden its media ecosystem. Global personalities like Piers Morgan will join regional leaders such as Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani, creating a unique chance for cross-cultural dialog about media’s changing role.
This summit goes well beyond simple networking. When governmental officials, industry pioneers, and content creators join forces, they will set new standards for professional excellence and build frameworks for regional collaboration. The dedicated spaces for youth and social media influencers show how information consumption patterns have evolved.
Dubai strengthens its position as a media innovation hub and builds bridges between East and West. The complete program features 175 sessions and 35 specialized workshops that give participants practical tools to navigate today’s complex digital world.
The Arab Media Summit’s success this week won’t just be about attendance numbers. It will show how well it maps out a sustainable future for Arab media – one that respects cultural heritage while welcoming technological progress. These three significant days will launch discussions, strategic collaborations, and initiatives that will alter the map of regional media over the last several years.
