September 10, 2019

Dubai Press Club (DPC) organised a meeting with public and private media organisations to discuss plans to celebrate Dubai’s selection as the Capital of Arab Media for 2020. President of the Dubai Press Club Her Excellency Mona Al Marri chaired the meeting held at the DPC headquarters.

The meeting discussed various initiatives and ideas to promote Dubai’s status as the capital of Arab Media and further cement its position as a leading regional and global media hub. In July, the Council of Arab Information Ministers announced that Dubai was selected as the Capital of Arab Media for 2020 during its 50th meeting in Cairo.

The meeting at DPC was attended by the Advisor to the National Media Council Ibrahim Al Abed; Director General of Watani Al Emarat Foundation Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi; CEO of the Publishing Sector at Dubai Media Incorporated Ahmad Al Hammadi; Director General of Dubai Culture Hala Badri; Editor-in-chief of Al Bayan Mona Bu Samra; Editor-in-Chief of Dubai Post Khadija Al Marzouqi; CEO of Dubai Parks and Resorts Mohamed Almulla; Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission Jamal Al Sharif; Managing Director of Dubai Media City Majed Al Suwaidi; Director of News Centre at Dubai Media Incorporated Ali Obaid Al Hamli; Editor-in-Chief of Emarat Al Youm Sami Al Reyami; Director of General Channels at Dubai Media Incorporated Sarah Al Jarman; General Manager of Arabian Radio Network Mahmoud Al Rasheed; and Director of Dubai Press Club Maitha Buhumaid.

Welcoming the participants, Her Excellency Al Marri said, “Dubai was selected as the Capital of Arab Media for 2020 by the Council of Arab Information Ministers due to its vital role in bringing together media professionals from across the Arab world to share ideas and knowledge. Over the last 20 years, DPC has organised key events such as the Arab Media Forum and the Arab Journalism Award to discuss vital regional issues and celebrate excellence in the media industry.”

HE Al Marri said media organisations need to unite their efforts in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai’s status as a hub for innovation and creativity. She said DPC’s initiatives next year will focus on exploring ways to shape the future of Arab media and highlighting the UAE’s contributions to the development of the region’s industry.

HE Al Marri said that the choice of Dubai as the Capital of Arab Media for 2020 adds further responsibility on the shoulders of Dubai’s media community to work to enhance industry excellence. She indicated that DPC’s plan for the next year includes initiatives to showcase the UAE’s successes in building a vibrant, unique and diverse media community.

The meeting discussed year-long activities running from January 2020 to December 2020 to celebrate the selection of Dubai as the Capital of Arab Media for 2020. Part of the activities will be dedicated to highlighting Al Quds as the permanent capital of Arab Media and launching initiatives aimed at keeping the Palestinian cause alive in the minds of Arabs and Muslims.