Dubai: The Dubai Press Club (DPC) has announced the key themes and topics to be explored at the fourth edition of the Arab Youth Media Forum, which will be held under the umbrella of the Arab Media Summit 2026 from 15th to 17th September at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Bringing together young people, university students, content creators, and aspiring media professionals, the Forum will place the perspectives of younger generations at the heart of discussions on the future of media.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Forum will provide a platform to explore the interests and aspirations of young people, giving them space to share their vision for a media sector they are increasingly helping to shape. This engagement is crucial as young people are both a key audience for new media and active contributors to its content, tools, and evolving forms of communication. The Arab Media Summit 2026, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will examine the shifts driven by younger generations across content creation, influence, and audience engagement during its three-day event.
Discussions at the Forum will delve into the new possibilities for storytelling, self-expression, and identity arising from art, culture, and human experiences. Amna Khalil, a member of the Arab Media Summit Organising Committee, emphasized the Forum's aim to give young people an active role in shaping the future of Arab media. By creating opportunities for direct engagement with industry leaders and exposure to their perspectives, the Forum seeks to address the opportunities and challenges set to shape the media landscape in the years ahead.
Khalil added that the Forum will focus on topics that align with young people's interests and aspirations, addressing key issues and trends in media, content creation, arts, and digital entertainment. The Forum aims to support the development of a new generation equipped to contribute to the advancement of Arab media and shape its future. Discussions will explore how younger generations are redefining reach and influence, as well as the evolving relationship between content creators and their audiences in a rapidly changing digital environment.
The Forum will also feature a diversity of perspectives on creating content that resonates more deeply with audiences and delivers greater impact. It will examine how art, culture, travel, humor, and human experiences can offer innovative approaches to storytelling and self-expression. By incorporating these perspectives, the Forum seeks to ensure that young people have an active voice in shaping the future of media.
The Arab Media Summit 2026 will gather over 200 prominent media and thought leaders from outside the UAE, along with editors-in-chief, senior media executives, content creators, influencers, media technology experts, and academics. Approximately 10,000 media professionals and industry stakeholders from across the Arab world are expected to attend, with more than 400 speakers from the region and around the world sharing their insights and experiences across over 175 sessions exploring the future of the media sector.