The Emirates News Agency reported that internationally acclaimed content creator Yuji Beleza has joined the speaker lineup for the Arab Media Summit 2026, which will examine evolving trends in content creation and audience engagement across the region. The event, organised by the Dubai Press Club, is scheduled to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Organisers have framed his participation as a reflection of the summit’s emphasis on social media influence and cross-cultural dialogue through digital platforms, adding depth to sessions that already feature government communication and youth media forums.
A CNN profile of the Japanese-Irish polyglot detailed how Beleza, aged 28, has built a global following by approaching strangers in their native languages during street interviews that emphasise connection over performance.[[1]](https://cnn.com/travel/yuji-beleza-polyglot-languages-street-interviews) His accounts have grown rapidly, with TikTok reporting more than 10 million followers and substantial audiences on Instagram and YouTube according to recent platform data. Beleza also holds the role of Tourism Ambassador for Kazakhstan, an appointment that aligns with his focus on promoting cultural understanding, and he has publicly committed to learning Arabic after engaging audiences at the Sharjah International Book Fair last November, a Gulf Today report noted.
The Arab Media Summit Organising Committee has steadily revealed an expanding roster of prominent figures for the September gathering, which is projected to draw nearly 10,000 media professionals and stakeholders from across the Arab world. GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi will deliver a keynote address, bringing perspectives on regional cooperation amid geopolitical shifts, according to an Emirates 24|7 dispatch citing the committee. Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Chairperson of the Organising Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Dubai Media Council, welcomed such additions for the breadth they lend to discussions on media’s future.
Further announcements from the committee have confirmed Euronews chairman Pedro David and Lebanon’s Minister of Culture Dr Ghassan Salamé among those contributing to the programme, alongside Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej and French-Tunisian artist eL Seed who will address the Arab Youth Media Forum on art’s role in storytelling. The summit will encompass specialised tracks such as the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, the Films Forum, the Games Forum and Dubai PodFest, creating multiple avenues for content creators like Beleza to share insights. These elements build on the event’s established format that has evolved since its origins as the Arab Media Forum in 2001.
Beleza’s distinctive approach, which blends linguistic skill with spontaneous cultural exchange, positions him to offer practical perspectives during sessions focused on digital platforms and influencer strategies, the organising committee indicated in its announcement. His videos frequently demonstrate greetings in dozens of languages, fostering immediate rapport that mirrors broader themes of accessibility and authenticity in modern media. Industry observers anticipate his contributions will resonate with the summit’s youth-oriented and social media components, where participants examine how individual creators shape public discourse.
The 2026 edition also marks the silver jubilee of the Arab Media Award, an occasion that will recognise excellence across a quarter century while looking ahead to technological and ethical challenges facing the sector, according to statements from the Dubai Press Club. Partnerships with major UAE institutions, including the National Media Authority as national partner, have been secured to support the expanded programme and expected attendance. Preparations reflect a year-long review of previous outcomes aimed at keeping the summit aligned with rapid transformations in Arab and global media landscapes.
