The Dubai Press Club announced this month that Saida Mirziyoyeva will appear as a keynote speaker at the Government Communication Forum, one of the core components of the Arab Media Summit 2026. The event runs from Sept. 15 to 17 under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Organisers expect the gathering to draw more than 200 prominent media figures from outside the UAE along with nearly 10,000 professionals and stakeholders from the UAE and the wider Arab world, according to statements carried by WAM.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, vice chairperson and managing director of the Dubai Media Council and chairperson of the Arab Media Summit organising committee, described the participation of high-level figures as central to the summit’s goals. The programme also features a keynote address by Lebanon’s Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé, whose career spans diplomacy, academia and regional affairs. Additional sessions will cover the Arab Media Forum, Arab Youth Media Forum, Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, Films Forum, Games Forum and Dubai PodFest, a WAM report stated.
The 2026 edition marks the silver jubilee of the Arab Media Award, which has recognised excellence in Arab journalism for 25 years. The award will be presented alongside the Arab Social Media Influencers Award and the Ibda’a Arab Youth Media Award during the summit at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Dubai Press Club has secured partnerships with nine leading UAE institutions to support the event, building on earlier collaborations with DP World, DEWA and the National Media Authority.
Preparations for the summit have accelerated throughout August, with announcements highlighting its role as the region’s largest annual media gathering. The Government Communication Forum where Mirziyoyeva will speak focuses on strategic messaging, public-sector transparency and digital engagement across Arab governments. Previous editions have addressed media ethics, technological disruption and cross-border collaboration, setting the stage for this year’s expanded agenda.
Mirziyoyeva’s participation underscores growing ties between Uzbekistan and the UAE in cultural and communications fields. The Central Asian nation has increased its international outreach in recent years through heritage initiatives and multilateral forums. Summit organisers noted that her address will contribute perspectives on government communication strategies from beyond the Arab region.
The Arab Media Summit continues to evolve in scale and scope, reflecting rapid changes in the media landscape. Industry partners and government bodies have backed the 2026 gathering to foster dialogue among editors, content creators, technology experts and academics. Discussions are expected to examine both traditional broadcasting models and emerging platforms that shape public discourse across the Arab world.
