Under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the 11th edition of the UAE Media Forum convenes today, organised by the Dubai Press Club, with the participation of a distinguished group of national leaders, senior officials, media figures, and content creators from the United Arab Emirates. The forum will discuss the role of national media amid rapidly shifting regional and international dynamics, and strengthen the readiness of the national media ecosystem to meet challenges and deliver a positive impact.
The forum, held over a single day at the Mandarin Oriental Downtown in Dubai under the theme 'UAE is a Red Line', will address a range of topics at a critically important juncture, amid accelerating regional developments and a succession of challenges and tests that have affirmed the pivotal role of media as an essential partner in protecting national awareness, building trust, and reinforcing social cohesion.
The forum's agenda includes a number of high-impact sessions, among them a keynote session entitled 'When the Nation is Tested… What Does the Media Do?', in which His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Council, will speak. The session will be moderated by Nada Al Shaibani, a media presenter at Dubai Media Incorporated.
The forum also devotes one of its sessions to discussing the post-crisis phase, through a session titled 'What Comes After the Crisis?', in which His Excellency Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs Affairs Committee at the Federal National Council, will speak. The session will be moderated by broadcaster Mona Al Raeesi from the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority.
The forum also shines a light on the UAE's economic and investment standing through a session titled 'The UAE: A Safe Haven and a Sure Investment', in which His Excellency Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar and Noon and Chairman of Eagle Hills, will speak. The session will be moderated by Hamid bin Karam, Editor-in-Chief of Al Bayan. The forum will additionally address the security and national dimension of recent events through a session titled 'Safe Skies… A Reassured People'.
In that session, Brigadier General (Pilot) Abdel Nasser Al Hamidi, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, will speak about national efforts to enhance community security and the reassurance of its members, and the importance of integration among national institutions in crisis management. The session will be moderated by broadcaster Mohammed Al Ahmad from the Abu Dhabi Media Network.
On this occasion, Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Deputy President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, affirmed that the UAE Media Forum convenes this year at a pivotal moment that calls for a professional and national pause to re-examine the role and responsibilities of the media, amid the rapid changes the world and the region are witnessing.
Her Excellency said: "The 11th edition of the forum holds exceptional significance, as it comes after a period during which the region experienced one of the most sensitive and complex phases in recent years, accompanied by challenges and tests at the political, security, economic and media levels."
"In this context, the forum seeks to open a responsible national dialogue on the role of the media during times of crisis, its capacity to protect awareness, build trust, and entrench the national narrative, stemming from a firm conviction that the media is a principal partner in creating stability and supporting the march of development."
Her Excellency added: "UAE media, grounded in values drawn from the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, today presents an advanced model that combines speed of response, clarity of message, and commitment to truth."
"These are qualities we are keen to develop and affirm as the foundation of media work, in the belief that building trust is the greatest achievement of the media, and that the power of the national message lies in its ability to reach people at the right time from reliable sources." She stressed that UAE media in the recent period had been a key partner in enhancing public awareness and strengthening trust in national institutions.
Mariam Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club, affirmed that the 11th edition of the forum convenes at an exceptional phase that requires examining the media's role and responsibilities towards society and the nation, and its contribution to protecting its achievements and gains.
She said: "We were keen to ensure the forum this year keeps pace with the exceptional phase the region is going through and the challenges it has brought, by raising a set of topics that go beyond traditional media debate towards a broader and deeper dialogue on awareness, trust, the national narrative, and the pivotal role of the media during times of major transformation."
She added: "This edition of the forum brings together all stakeholders in media work under one roof to examine the challenges and opportunities facing UAE media, envision its future, and strengthen its readiness to meet the demands of the coming phase."
"We also shine a light on inspiring national experiences that have demonstrated their positive contribution during the past period, alongside the forum's consistent goal, across its various editions, of entrenching a culture of dialogue and exchange of expertise in ways that serve the development of national media and enhance its presence and impact locally, regionally, and globally."
The UAE Media Forum has continued since its launch in 2013 to serve as a comprehensive national platform for media dialogue, contributing to the formation of shared visions among the various components of the UAE media landscape.
It supports the advancement of national media in line with the UAE's ambitions and vision for the future, and enhances its ability to consolidate its developmental, humanitarian, and economic model as one of the most successful and influential models globally.
The forum's programme this year reflects a shift in the nature of media discourse, moving from a focus on traditional media industry challenges towards discussions of issues linked to national security, societal awareness, public trust, and media narratives and their impact — reflecting a growing recognition of the role the media plays in protecting national achievements and reinforcing the stability of societies during crises.