Day two in Dubai: The region makes its case for telling its own story
UAE Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri told the Euronews Forum that "resilience is the insurance of economies," while Azerbaijan's Hajiyev said his country was "winning in the peace" and Georgia's foreign minister flagged sustained disinformation campaigns.
The second day of the Arab Media Summit was centered around the Euronews Forum, where representatives from the UAE, Azerbaijan, and Georgia discussed the importance of building a national narrative. UAE Economy and Tourism Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri emphasized the need for resilience and preparedness in facing future crises.
He stressed that resilience cannot be purchased, but rather built through a mindset and policies designed for the long-term. Al Marri also highlighted the need for constant communication during times of crisis, rather than louder communication. Similarly, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Hikmet Hajiyev, discussed Azerbaijan's role in the peace process with Armenia and its recent membership in a Central Asian platform, expanding its membership from five to six countries.
Both Azerbaijan and Georgia have faced sustained disinformation campaigns, according to Hajiyev and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, respectively. UAE Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi emphasized the significance of public diplomacy, noting that it becomes even more critical when conventional political channels become less effective.
She praised initiatives such as the warming relations between Abu Dhabi and Damascus, as well as Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak's efforts to restore the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. Al Kaabi also addressed the issue of misinformation, stating that engagement, speed, and credibility are key, and that young people play a role in verifying and sharing information.
In a separate session, the Emirates Group's Chief Marketing Officer, Boutros Boutros, presented on building a global airline, focusing on the importance of expertise and human connection in leveraging technology. He stressed that while technology allows for seamless communication in multiple languages, the most crucial aspect is finding creative minds who can effectively connect with people.
The summit continued with discussions on various topics, including the international reach of Arab cinema, the use of TikTok for television content, women in Arab drama, the impact of a new Lebanese media law, and a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary From Inside Gaza.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
