Ahmad bin Mohamed Attends Syrian President Al-Sharaa at the 2026 Arab Media Summit in Dubai

During his participation in a main session at the official opening of the 2026 Arab Media Summit, which launched on Tuesday in Dubai under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and with the presence of Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa presented a comprehensive vision for Syria’s future and the region, and what is expected for lasting stability and development.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Jassim Mohammed Al Badiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Asef Al Shibli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Deputy Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Chair of the Organizing Committee of the Arab Media Summit, along with numerous ministers, senior officials, and leaders from media institutions across the UAE and globally, and a large number of journalists from the UAE and abroad, attended the session.

Deepening Brotherhood Ties

During the session, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), President al-Sharaa emphasized the deep fraternal bonds linking the peoples of the UAE and Syria, citing a quote from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum that expressed the sincere and noble sentiments long uniting the two brotherly nations.

The Syrian president stated that Syria is currently undergoing a transitional phase with its own unique circumstances, rebuilding state trust, restoring institutional structures, and completing its roles, despite the many challenges surrounding this period—most notably sanctions that have severely strained the Syrian economy. He affirmed that Syria has now become a great opportunity for all, as it has returned to actively contributing to regional and international stability and strategic security.

Al-Sharaa pointed out that the current stability in Syria has been a catalyst for attracting investments, particularly Emirati investments, including those by DP World in Tartous Port and its connection to Jebel Ali Port in Dubai. This investment reflects the growing opportunities Syria offers to the Arab and global investment community, especially given its strategic location serving the region, particularly in terms of trade corridors. He confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding further Emirati investments in Syria, alongside noticeable interest from Gulf and European countries in the opportunities his country presents.

He noted that today’s stability benefits not only Syria but the entire region and achieves shared interests for all.

Syria “Reborn”

In a discussion moderated by journalist Ammar Taqi, Ahmad al-Sharaa said that Syria was among the most sanctioned countries in the world. He used the expression that Syria “was reborn” after the historic decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions—a move he described as breaking constraints and opening the path for Syria to begin its journey of development and progress.

Al-Sharaa affirmed that the current transitional phase involves moving toward a free-market model and supporting the private sector. He acknowledged that some decisions may require a certain level of calm, as they could be “shocking,” but stressed that over time, a positive sense of change will prevail.

He reviewed the stages of Syrian economic development under the previous regime, when GDP had fallen to around $20 billion before the new government took office. By 2025, it reached $32 billion, and is projected to reach $50 billion by 2027—or even return to levels seen in 2010. He expressed optimism that, if regional and global stability continues, Syria’s economy could reach $200 billion within the next ten years.

A Key Food Hub

President Ahmad al-Sharaa affirmed that his country serves as a crucial food hub for the region and the world, thanks to its food security. He emphasized that, even without modern agricultural technologies, Syria can provide food for approximately 70 to 75 million people. With access to modern agricultural capabilities, this capacity could exceed 100 million people, making Syria one of the key alternatives for regional food security.

Regarding Syria’s relations with its regional and global environment, al-Sharaa affirmed that Syria remains committed to its international obligations, stating that it only promises what it can deliver. He emphasized that all actions taken are transparent and clear, enhancing global interest in Syria and increasing confidence in the country. He underscored that Syria possesses a rich cultural and civilizational heritage, human resources, and expertise, enabling it to make independent decisions, supported by its Arab and Islamic brothers, while drawing on successful experiences and practices from these countries rather than starting from scratch.

The Syrian president stressed that his country is determined to ensure full regional stability. He noted that simply having Syria outside conflict zones is insufficient; the ultimate goal is ensuring sustainable security and stability in the region, which guarantees Syria the opportunity to continue its development project. Meanwhile, Syria continues consultations with its Arab brethren to identify ways to mitigate the impacts of the current conflict and avoid risks that the future may bring.

Al-Sharaa highlighted that despite the numerous challenges, the current policy is one of continuous action aimed at serving the Syrian people. He affirmed that the dignity, independence, and pride of the Syrian citizen are unshakeable principles that cannot be compromised, as the true capital of Syria lies in its society.

Forward-Looking Vision

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Deputy Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, Chair of the Dubai Press Club, and Chair of the Organizing Committee of the Arab Media Summit, delivered a speech at the official opening of the summit, welcoming guests and emphasizing the importance of this media gathering amid exceptional circumstances shaped by rapid geopolitical and technological changes with profound implications for the region and the world.

She said the pressing question facing the media landscape today revolves around the role media will play in shaping the contours of the coming era.

She noted that the summit’s launch, guided by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum nearly 25 years ago, occurred at a time when the global media landscape was vastly different: “There were no digital platforms shaping public opinion… no phones carrying newsrooms live… no artificial intelligence writing news, creating images, or producing videos in seconds.”

Yet, she added, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision was forward-looking, anticipating all these transformations. He directed the establishment of a platform for dialogue, bringing together all responsible parties in Arab media under one roof to exchange ideas and perspectives toward building an “understanding of this future, participating in shaping it, and having the ability to tell the region’s story to the world.”

She referred to a special occasion celebrated during this edition—the silver jubilee of the Arab Media Award—and said the award’s journey in seeking excellence and celebrating it began when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched it 25 years ago. That period witnessed major changes in newspaper formats, newsrooms, media tools, and even the very concept and practice of the profession.

She said, “We learned in the school of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: the future is not something we wait for—it is something we create. This applies to media just as it applies to everything else. As we shape our future with our own hands, we must also shape our narrative ourselves and not leave our story to others.”

The Arab Media Summit was launched from Dubai under the guidance and patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, in 2001, under the name “Arab Media Forum.”

Over nearly 25 years, the summit has played a tangible role in developing Arab media and elevating its output.

The summit has kept pace with the rapid digital transformation and the emergence of new media platforms, expanding its scope and dialogue space. Today, it stands as a umbrella organization hosting eight specialized forums and three main awards, maintaining its status as the largest media event in the Arab world.

The 24th edition of the summit, hosted under the direction of Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, is the largest in its history. It will host over 200 prominent media and intellectual figures from outside the UAE, more than 400 speakers from leading media institutions across the Arab, global, and local spheres, and over 175 discussion and dialogue sessions featuring icons of Arab media, content creators, influencers, media technology experts, and academics from 23 countries.

The summit includes: the Arab Media Forum, the Government Communication Forum (first held within the summit), the Arab Youth Media Forum, the Film Forum, the Electronic Games Forum, the Arab Social Media Leaders Summit, the Dubai Podfest Forum, and the Euronews Forum, which is being hosted by the summit for the first time outside Europe. Additional events are conducted in partnership with global media organizations, alongside specialized training sessions and workshops developed in collaboration with the region’s and world’s leading media institutions. The summit also features the Arab Media Award, the Arab Media Award for Youth “Creativity,” and the Arab Social Media Leaders Award.