Dubai signalled its vision to shape a new future for its media industry as the Dubai Media Council hosted the Dubai Media Retreat, bringing together some of the leading players across advertising and marketing, film, gaming and digital media to chart the next phase of growth.

The retreat provided a platform for more than 100 senior industry leaders, whose
companies collectively represent an estimated $13 billion in local economic activity,
to exchange ideas, identify emerging opportunities, and help shape the future
direction of Dubai’s media ecosystem. Leading companies represented at the event
included Amazon, Yango, Twitch, Xsolla, Action Films, Boom Town, Epic Films, and
Blink Studios.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second
Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, said: “Guided
by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we have always
recognised the media sector as a strategic pillar of Dubai’s development and a vital
partner in shaping the future. Today, as global media undergoes a profound
transformation, our priority is to ensure Dubai remains at the forefront of this
evolution by building one of the world’s most dynamic and globally competitive media
ecosystems.

“Our aim is to build one of the world’s most future-ready media industries, powered by innovation, talent, and strong partnerships between the public and private sectors.

This strategic focus is reflected in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to
double the contribution of the media industry to Dubai’s GDP by creating an
environment that empowers talent, attracts investment, accelerates innovation, and
enables creative talent to thrive. Achieving this vision requires strong collaboration
between the public and private sectors, continuous dialogue between industry
stakeholders, and the ability to adapt to emerging global shifts and opportunities.
The event forms part of the Dubai Media Council’s ongoing efforts to deepen
engagement with the private sector, strengthen industry partnerships, and support
the continued evolution of Dubai’s media ecosystem.

Designed as an interactive dialogue, the retreat featured moderated roundtable
discussions structured around sector-specific themes. Participants were divided into
dedicated discussion tables covering advertising and marketing, film and production,
gaming and digital media, with each group exploring current industry challenges,
identifying gaps, and proposing practical recommendations to support sustainable
growth. Discussions focused on a range of priority areas, including infrastructure,
talent development, regulation, investment, innovation, and mechanisms to better
support media companies during periods of global challenges. Discussions also
highlighted the importance of developing the next generation of media talent by
creating stronger pathways for them to grow and thrive in Dubai.

Under HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed’s directives, Her Excellency Mona
Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media
Council, announced a major new initiative to support the industry. Addressing
stakeholders, she said: “Before the end of this year, we will introduce a new platform
for the media sector, where services, approvals, and processes will be integrated
into a single, seamless system designed to make it easier, faster, and more efficient
for you to operate and grow in Dubai.”

“Dubai’s media sector has always been built on partnership, vision, and a shared
belief in the power of storytelling. From the earliest vision for Dubai Media City to the
diverse and dynamic ecosystem we see today, the goal has always been to create
an environment where creativity can thrive, talent can grow, and ideas can travel
from Dubai to the world. What makes this community special is not only its success,
but also its sense of responsibility and willingness to contribute during challenging
times. As we continue to strengthen this sector, we remain focused on creating an
environment that enables creativity to move faster, supports growth, and opens new
opportunities for the next generation of media companies and storytellers,” Her
Excellency added.

Her Excellency Nehal Badri, Secretary General of the Dubai Media Council,
said: “The retreat created space for constructive conversations about the
opportunities and challenges reshaping the media industry today. Across every
sector, from digital media and gaming to film and advertising, the ability to share
ideas openly, and think collaboratively has become increasingly important. What
emerged from these discussions was a strong sense that resilience is built through
close cooperation. Sustained engagement with industry stakeholders helps ensure that future initiatives remain grounded in the realities of the sector while also creating room for fresh innovation, investment, and new possibilities.”

The ideas and recommendations generated through the retreat will be consolidated
into a strategic report that will be released soon. The comprehensive report will
inform the Dubai Media Council’s future initiatives and policy development. Relevant
proposals identified during the discussions will also be evaluated for implementation
in collaboration with industry stakeholders as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen
the sector’s resilience, competitiveness, and long-term growth.

The retreat forms part of a broader programme of initiatives and industry
engagement platforms being developed by the Dubai Media Council to strengthen
collaboration with stakeholders and reinforce the emirate’s position among the
world’s leading media hubs.