Dubai, UAE – In a significant step toward advancing the UAE’s dynamic media sector, His Excellency Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and Chairman of the UAE Media Council, officially inaugurated the Council’s new headquarters located in Dubai Internet City, a globally recognized media and innovation hub.
The opening ceremony marks a key milestone in the Council’s strategic evolution, reflecting its mission to create a forward-looking, efficient, and globally competitive media ecosystem. The new headquarters is envisioned as a platform to nurture Emirati talent, attract international expertise, and lead the transformation of media practices in line with technological and market trends.
A New Era for Media Governance and Innovation
The inauguration of the UAE Media Council’s headquarters is more than a physical relocation—it represents a paradigm shift in how media governance, strategy, and policy will be shaped in the country. The facility’s modern infrastructure and central location within Dubai Internet City—a thriving ecosystem home to global media and tech giants—provides the Council with unparalleled access to industry trends, partnerships, and innovation.
Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Abdulla Al Hamed emphasized the headquarters as a reflection of the Council’s ambition to stay ahead of global developments, stating:
“This new headquarters embodies our commitment to cultivating a flexible and responsive media environment—one that is anchored in national values, powered by innovation, and shaped by collaboration.”
High-Level Attendance Reflects Strategic Importance
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent officials and strategic partners, underscoring the significance of the UAE Media Council’s role in the country’s development agenda. Key attendees included:
- Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council
- Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Media Strategy and Policy Sector
- Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of TECOM Group
- Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Media City
- Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of Commercial Leasing at TECOM Group
Their presence underscored the deep collaboration between government, industry leaders, and commercial entities in shaping a media environment that is globally competitive and locally empowering.
Strategic Vision: Building the Future of Media
The relocation to a modern and strategically placed facility is part of a larger strategic roadmap laid out by the UAE Media Council. The move aligns with the Council’s objectives of:
- Fostering national talent by offering a world-class working environment for media professionals
- Attracting global media expertise and investment to reinforce the UAE’s position as a media innovation hub
- Accelerating the digital transformation of media regulation and services
- Promoting sustainable growth in emerging media sectors such as digital content creation, podcasting, virtual production, and AI in journalism
The design of the new headquarters mirrors these ambitions, with open collaborative spaces, innovation labs, and tech-enabled conference facilities that encourage cross-disciplinary teamwork and policy innovation.
Reinforcing National Talent and Human Capital
In a meeting with Council staff during the inauguration, H.E. Abdulla Al Hamed highlighted that human capital remains the foundation of the UAE’s media advancement. He called upon team members to continue building on the momentum since the Council’s formation and to prioritize capacity-building efforts for Emiratis across the sector.
“Our success depends on how well we empower our people. The headquarters is not merely a workplace—it is a hub for talent development, creative exploration, and policy excellence,” he said.
This message resonates deeply with the UAE’s broader national goals, including the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which seeks to position the UAE among the top global countries in sustainable economic development, innovation, and cultural influence.
Legislative and Policy Transformation: A New Framework
One of the most important functions of the UAE Media Council is to shape and implement media legislation and strategic policies. The new headquarters will support this mission by serving as a central base for:
- Developing integrated media laws that keep pace with technological and market developments
- Facilitating dialogue between stakeholders—including media companies, government agencies, content creators, and civil society
- Hosting innovation forums and workshops to forecast trends and build strategic responses
- Piloting new services and digital solutions that enhance transparency, licensing, and regulatory compliance
H.E. Al Hamed emphasized the urgent need for an adaptive, transparent regulatory framework that aligns with the digital age, fosters competitiveness, and supports the creation of local content and new media startups.
“The next phase of our journey demands integrated and innovative legislation that not only regulates but accelerates sector growth,” he noted.
Enhancing Institutional Capacity and International Presence
The facility’s location in Dubai Internet City enhances the Council’s ability to forge international partnerships and collaborate with leading global institutions. From digital giants and broadcasters to AI-driven news startups, the media ecosystem in Dubai is fertile ground for policy collaboration, investment, and technological co-creation.
As part of its expanded mission, the UAE Media Council aims to:
- Establish centers of excellence and research clusters to study global media trends
- Support cross-border co-productions and training programs in journalism and content creation
- Strengthen UAE’s soft power through strategic international media narratives
- Encourage responsible innovation in fields such as synthetic media, AR/VR journalism, and automated news generation
These efforts are expected to enhance the UAE’s visibility on the global media map and ensure that local content producers and platforms can compete internationally with strong regulatory and institutional backing.
Public Trust and Media Credibility
In an age of misinformation, the Council’s new headquarters also signals a renewed focus on strengthening public trust in the media. The Council aims to introduce mechanisms and initiatives that:
- Promote ethical standards in journalism
- Empower media literacy across all segments of society
- Collaborate with tech platforms to counter disinformation and digital harms
- Recognize and support credible content creators and newsrooms through awards, training, and funding
By consolidating its operations in a modern, strategically positioned facility, the Council is better equipped to engage with stakeholders and build a transparent, trustworthy media environment.
Looking Ahead: Accelerating the Media Agenda
The inauguration of the new headquarters is a pivotal moment, but it is only the beginning of a more ambitious phase for the UAE Media Council. In the coming months and years, the Council is expected to launch:
- New licensing systems and digital platforms for faster, more accessible media services
- Incubation programs for media startups and creative entrepreneurs
- Collaborative media labs and fellowships for journalists, technologists, and policy makers
- National campaigns to promote local storytelling and diverse media voices
These initiatives reflect a clear message: media is no longer a sector to be managed—it is a strategic engine of national influence, economic diversification, and cultural identity.
Final Thoughts
The inauguration of the UAE Media Council’s new headquarters is a symbol of progress, ambition, and preparedness. It reflects a media vision that is inclusive, innovative, and internationally minded, yet firmly rooted in Emirati values and aspirations.
In a rapidly evolving global media environment, where technology, content, and policy intersect in new and complex ways, the UAE is positioning itself not just as a regional leader—but as a global trailblazer in the future of media governance, development, and innovation.
As the Council settles into its new home, the industry—and the world—will be watching closely. The message from Dubai Internet City is clear: the future of media in the UAE has arrived, and it is being built today.