In a significant gathering, the Arab Media Summit 2026 will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Organised by the Dubai Press Club, this event will take place from September 15 to 17 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring a prominent group of thinkers and writers who will present their latest works, drawing substantial interest from both Arab and international cultural circles.

This year, the summit is expected to welcome around 10,000 participants from the media, opinion-forming, content creation, and communications sectors. The accompanying cultural programme offers an interactive space where authors can meet journalists and cultural enthusiasts, enhancing the event’s intellectual presence and contributing a parallel intellectual dimension to its discussions.

Mariam Mulla, Director of Dubai Press Club, stated that the inclusion of this elite group of writers and thinkers aligns with the club’s vision to establish a cultural dimension to the summit, creating an interactive platform that allows thousands of participants to engage directly with authors and learn about their intellectual and creative experiences. Recognising thinkers and authors is an annual tradition that complements the summit’s evolution, enriching dialogues among media leaders and experts from around the world.

Interactive Spaces

Ruqaya Al Jabri, a member of the organising committee for the Arab Media Summit 2026, highlighted that this year’s summit is designed to offer a comprehensive experience that extends from main sessions and discussions to a range of interactive activities that encourage direct communication between participants, writers, and media figures. She noted, “Book-signing sessions, along with platforms like ‘Media Chats’ and other accompanying activities, play a vital role in the summit experience, allowing us to bring the creators and their ideas closer to the audience and facilitating direct conversations that transcend traditional session formats. With each edition, we strive to diversify and enhance these spaces in response to participants’ interests, ensuring that the three days of the summit provide a rich experience filled with dialogue, knowledge, and connection.”

Arab and International Publications

During the summit, several notable publications will be signed at the Dubai Press Club’s platform over the three days. The lineup includes the Saudi author Dhaian Shaheen with his novel “One Blood,” along with Dr Osama Abdul Raouf Al-Shadhili, a physician and novelist, who will sign his novel “Prophet of the North.” Additionally, Ahmed Al-Muslimani, head of the National Media Authority in Egypt, will present his book “Close to History: Intellectual Sessions with Global Figures.”

Among this year’s international contributions, the globally recognised journalist Hala Korani, who has received the Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the United States, will sign her book “But You Don’t Look Arab.”