Dubai has set a brand new goal to double the media sector’s contribution to the emirate’s GDP from 1.4 per cent to three per cent by 2033.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council (DMC), chaired a gathering to evaluation the sector’s key efficiency indicators, initiatives and digital transformation plans.
The evaluation comes as Dubai intensifies efforts to align its media ecosystem with the emirate’s broader growth agenda and the imaginative and prescient of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Dubai media targets
Sheikh Ahmed stated Dubai’s media sector has important potential to develop its financial affect, noting the significance of sturdy public-private partnerships and clear regulatory frameworks to assist progress.
He affirmed the federal government’s dedication to offering the foundations required for media firms and establishments to innovate, scale and contribute to the goals of the Dubai Financial Agenda D33.
He pressured the necessity to speed up digital transformation throughout Dubai’s media panorama, highlighting the sector’s position in elevating public consciousness, supporting Dubai’s future plans and strengthening the emirate’s world affect.
Holding tempo with world technological shifts, he stated, requires superior instruments, agile methods and platforms able to participating audiences within the UAE and overseas.
Dubai Media Council evaluation
In the course of the assembly, Sheikh Ahmed reviewed efficiency indicators shaping the sector’s roadmap to 2033. These embrace:
- Growing the media sector’s GDP contribution
- Boosting media exports
- Attracting international funding
- Establishing new movie and gaming committees
- Increasing the worldwide attain of Dubai’s strategic communications
Priorities additionally embrace strengthening native content material manufacturing, supporting personal media firms, increasing incentives for expertise, and rising audiences for Authorities of Dubai Media Workplace output at regional and worldwide ranges.
Regulatory powers strengthened
Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, stated transferring regulatory oversight of Dubai’s media sector to the Council below Regulation No. (29) of 2024 has delivered important affect.
She famous that the expanded mandate allows the Council to implement media growth plans effectively and consistent with worldwide requirements, reinforcing Dubai’s place as a centre for media creativity and a vacation spot for world expertise.
She stated the Council’s accountability for issuing permits and licences, whereas making certain consistency with Emirati tradition and values, offers the clear regulatory surroundings required to assist competitiveness and innovation.
Increasing world attain
Nehal Badri, Secretary Common of the Dubai Media Council, stated the Council expanded its world experience in 2025 by collaborating with worldwide educational establishments to form forward-looking media insurance policies and develop future media expertise.
She highlighted the launch of the primary Dubai Movie and Video games Discussion board throughout the Arab Media Summit 2025 and the institution of two new our bodies — the Dubai Movie Growth Committee and the Dubai Gaming Committee.
Expertise growth efforts included the Media Management Programme, the Media Data Trade Programme and the Emirati Media Expertise Pledge, alongside expanded coaching collaborations with regional and worldwide media organisations.
DMI digital technique accepted
In the course of the assembly, Sheikh Ahmed accepted Dubai Media Included’s (DMI) built-in digital technique and reviewed the progress of main transformation initiatives, together with the growth of its “Awaan” platform for tv content material throughout native, regional and world markets.
DMI outlined key pillars of its technique, together with superior content material growth, authentic productions, partnerships with expertise leaders, and insights pushed by world market evaluation.
The method goals to strengthen the organisation’s digital id via globally related Emirati content material, youth-focused storytelling and rising codecs corresponding to podcasts.
Members of the DMI Youth Council for Dubai Media attended the assembly as a part of efforts to develop future Emirati media leaders below the Nationwide Youth Agenda 2031.
Emirati media leaders
On the finish of the assembly, Sheikh Ahmed met members of DMI’s “Media Pioneer Programme – Emirati Photographer” and members within the “Leaders Diploma Program” launched in partnership with IMI Media Academy and ILLAF Prepare UK. These initiatives intention to equip second- and third-tier nationwide leaders with global-standard media capabilities.
