The Arab Media Summit 2026 has secured a marquee keynote speaker: His Excellency Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, will address the 24th edition of the event, organizers announced this week. The summit is set to convene in Dubai from September 15 to 17, 2026.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the gathering also follows directives from His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. The inclusion of AlBudaiwi, organizers say, underscores the summit’s focus on the intersection of media and regional geopolitics.
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 Arab Media Summit Organising Committee, welcomed the announcement. She noted that AlBudaiwi’s extensive diplomatic experience and broad perspective on regional and global developments will enrich the summit’s conversations.
“The GCC represents a powerful model of regional coordination, integration, and joint action,” Al Marri said in a statement. “Media plays an essential role in supporting these efforts, and engaging with a senior political figure of His Excellency’s stature brings valuable perspectives to our discussions on the future of media amid a rapidly changing landscape.”
The Arab Media Summit 2026 arrives at a pivotal time. Geopolitical shifts, technological disruption, and the rise of AI-driven content are reshaping how news is produced and consumed across the Middle East. AlBudaiwi’s participation signals an effort to bridge high-level policy dialogue with media strategy.
The three-day program will feature a range of specialized events designed for industry professionals and emerging talent. Confirmed platforms include the Arab Media Forum, the Government Communication Forum, the Arab Youth Media Forum, the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, the Films Forum, the Games Forum, and the Dubai PodFest. International media forums will also run concurrently, broadening the summit’s global reach.
For attendees, the summit offers a rare chance to hear directly from one of the region’s most influential diplomatic figures on topics such as media’s role in fostering stability, the digital transformation of public communication, and cross-border cooperation.
What’s next: Registration details for the Arab Media Summit 2026 are expected to open in the coming months. Industry professionals, media students, and content creators can monitor the Dubai Press Club’s official channels for updates and speaker additions. With AlBudaiwi confirmed, this year’s edition promises to set the agenda for media’s role in an interconnected, fast-evolving Arab world.