The 3rd edition of the Global Media Congress (GMC) 2024 has just concluded in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, having been held under the auspices of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president, deputy prime minister, and chairman of the Presidential Court.
The event was a significant milestone in the evolution of global media. It was organised by the ADNEC Group in strategic partnership with the Emirates News Agency.
This edition of the GMC was a dynamic platform that brought together global media leaders, technology innovators, and thought leaders who explored the future of media in an increasingly digital world.
The event, which ran for three days, reflected the UAE’s vision in media, innovation, and technology.
Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, chairman of the National Media Office and the UAE Media Council, underscored the importance of the GMC as an embodiment of the UAE’s forward-looking vision.
He highlighted the country’s unwavering commitment to building a flexible, advanced media ecosystem, which supports the growth of cultural industries and establishes the UAE as a hub for global events and media innovation.
“The success of this year’s Congress is a testament to the vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose patronage has turned this event into a global platform for media professionals from around the world to come together, innovate, and collaborate,” Al Hamed said.
He called on media institutions to work together, strengthening collaboration across borders, drive positive change, create relevant content for future generations, and respect cultural diversity.
He underscored the central role media plays in shaping public awareness, fostering understanding, and uniting people around shared values.
Al Hamed also called on media professionals to rise to the responsibility of creating content that addresses global challenges with wisdom and innovation.
The GMC saw record-breaking participation, with 840 media professionals and 218 media organisations from 30 countries.
Director-General of the National Media Office and Chairman of the GMC Organising Committee, Jamal Al Kaabi, outlined the outcomes and key recommendations of this year’s edition of the GMC.
He revealed that the Congress had expanded by 16% to cover 37,000 square meters.
This, he said, reflects the growing importance of the event in shaping the future of the media sector globally.
“The GMC 2024 saw an extensive programme with 96 discussion panels on industry trends and challenges, complemented by keynote sessions from world-renowned speakers, and Media Lab sessions focused on advanced technologies and innovation,” Al Kaabi said.
“The event also provided hands-on learning through 25 workshops and major conferences that fostered new ideas and solutions to drive media forward,” he added.
Meanwhile, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, Humaid Al Dhaheri, expressed pride in the event’s success and its contribution to positioning Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub for media innovation.
“This year’s edition brought together the brightest minds from around the world to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration,” he said.
“The Congress successfully addressed the most pressing challenges in the media landscape and explored opportunities for fostering growth and innovation,” Al Dhaheri said.
“The Congress also underscored the importance of strategic partnerships to enhance the global presence of Arab media and emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between local and international media institutions,” he added.
Recommendations from the event included the establishment of follow-up mechanisms to ensure the adoption of insights shared at the Congress, as well as providing media organisations with the tools and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
