Beirut: Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO) and Chairman of the UAE Media Council, led the United Arab Emirates delegation participating in the 21st edition of the Arab Media Forum, which opened today in Beirut.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum is held under the patronage of General Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon. It is themed 'Media and Sustainable Development: Partners of the Present - Alliance for the Future' and brings together a distinguished group of Arab ministers, media professionals, and decision-makers in the regional media sector. This year's edition emphasizes the significant role of media in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to strengthen partnerships between media institutions, governments, and civil society to shape a more sustainable future for the Arab region.
Al Hamed stated that the UAE's participation reflects a deep-rooted national approach focused on fostering joint cooperation and exchanging ideas and expertise to advance the future of Arab media. He noted that the forum serves as a leading platform for constructive dialogue on the expanding role of media in driving sustainable development and contributing to a more stable and prosperous future for Arab nations.
He further emphasized the UAE's perspective, under its wise leadership, that media is a key partner in the nation's sustainable development journey. Al Hamed highlighted the broader role of media beyond reporting news, stating it is instrumental in building public awareness and promoting a culture of positivity, innovation, and responsibility.
Gathering in Beirut, a city long recognized as a cornerstone of the Arab media and cultural landscape, Al Hamed reiterated the media's role as a driving force for development and positive transformation. He stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved without an engaged and responsible media sector, and highlighted the importance of building an informed and influential Arab media sector to enhance the Arab world's presence in the global media arena.
Concluding his remarks, the NMO chairman underscored the need for Arab media institutions to strengthen cooperation and coordination to address shared challenges and keep pace with rapid transformations in the global communications landscape. He expressed the belief that united Arab media, grounded in professionalism, responsibility, and mutual respect, can drive development and safeguard identity while building a shared future for the Arab nation.
The Arab Media Forum, launched in 2003, has established itself as a leading regional platform for dialogue and the exchange of expertise. It fosters forward-looking perspectives on the media industry, particularly in addressing challenges posed by artificial intelligence, misinformation, and the accelerating flow of information. This year's program includes panel discussions, workshops, and open sessions on topics such as new media, cybersecurity, public opinion, media ethics, crisis reporting, and the future of the media industry in the age of the platform economy.