The Dubai Press Club has announced that the Fourth Arab Youth Media Forum will open the Arab Media Summit 2026 on September 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre according to a report by the Emirates News Agency. The gathering will unite more than 1,000 media students young content creators and industry leaders to examine shifts in digital storytelling and platform dynamics. This edition forms part of a broadened summit structure that for the first time incorporates 10 specialised forums under one umbrella reflecting the interconnected elements of contemporary Arab media.
A Qoruz influencer marketing intelligence report documented that the GCC creator economy grew 75 percent over two years to encompass roughly 263,000 professional influencers across six states. The platform noted that categories such as lifestyle travel fashion and beauty continue to lead while finance health and arts segments are expanding rapidly. The forum according to the Dubai Press Club will equip participants with tools to engage this expanding ecosystem through sessions on responsible content production and audience engagement strategies.
The event will coincide with the 10th edition of the Ibda’a Arab Youth Media Award whose submissions closed in February 2026 the Dubai Press Club stated. Six categories including photography podcasting news reports e-games multimedia and short video each carry a USD 5,000 prize with winners revealed during the forum. Entries required endorsement from academic institutions and could be submitted in Arabic or English.
A 2025 report on social media in the Middle East and North Africa found that about 55 percent of the regional population is under 30 positioning youth as central drivers of digital trends and consumption patterns. The study highlighted that Saudi Arabia and the UAE lead globally in TikTok and YouTube reach relative to population while social media advertising in the region is projected to hit 4.26 billion dollars this year. Forum discussions will address how young creators navigate algorithmic systems and maintain authenticity amid these realities the organisers indicated.
Prominent speakers will include government representatives and global media experts addressing topics such as artificial intelligence in content development and ethical standards for digital influence according to the summit programme outlined by the Dubai Press Club. The Arab Youth Media Forum has historically served as a bridge between established professionals and emerging talent fostering mentorship and collaboration. This year’s focus builds on that foundation by incorporating new forums on film and e-gaming to reflect evolving industry demands.
The summit takes place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the Emirates News Agency reported. Organisers expect participation from students at more than 40 Arab universities creating avenues for direct interaction with decision-makers. The Dubai Press Club noted that the forum underscores Dubai’s role in cultivating the next generation of media leaders across the region.
