National Media Office Launches BRIDGE Summit And Foundation To Shape Future Of Global Media

The National Media Office has introduced the BRIDGE Summit, a global event set to take place in Abu Dhabi from 8th to 10th December 2025. Announced during a ceremony in Washington, DC, the summit aims to explore media's future and lead sector transformation. It seeks to enhance media's global economic contribution by creating an inclusive ecosystem that empowers professionals, fosters innovation, and supports responsible journalism in the digital age.

Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and the UAE Media Council, announced the summit alongside Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Director-General of the National Media Office, and Richard Attias, CEO of Richard Attias and Associates. This initiative reflects the UAE’s vision to establish strategic partnerships and promote media cooperation.

Prev

Next

The BRIDGE Summit is designed as a unique media event offering an exceptional experience for professionals worldwide. It aims to attract heads of state, CEOs, decision-makers from various countries, and over 2,000 media professionals. The event will also feature a media production exhibition with leading international companies participating.

In line with shaping a sustainable future for media, the Chairman launched the BRIDGE Foundation. This non-profit organisation focuses on empowering future media professionals and innovators while fostering responsible journalism. It aims to redefine media's role as a catalyst for development and transformation.

The foundation plans to drive change in the media landscape by nurturing young talent through specialised training programmes and research grants. These initiatives aim to foster innovative solutions that uphold integrity and credibility. Additionally, it will support start-ups by connecting them with funding and international collaboration opportunities.

Abdullah Al Hamed stated that "The UAE has always been a global hub for major events," highlighting its leadership in anticipating future developments in the media sector. He emphasised that BRIDGE aims to shape global media's strategic direction by driving innovation and reinforcing responsibility while positioning it as a key catalyst for economic development.

He added that "the future of media is not to be awaited but to be shaped," with BRIDGE serving as a unifying force for global media through its transformative vision centred on impact and sustainability. The launch of the BRIDGE Foundation aligns with this vision by fostering an environment where professionals can enhance skills using cutting-edge technologies.

Global Collaboration

Richard Attias remarked that "The BRIDGE Summit is founded on the belief that partnerships shape the future—especially in media." He noted that "Media is not merely a witness to history but a force that shapes it." The summit will serve as a platform for interaction and collaboration throughout the year.

The event will culminate in BRIDGE 2025—the largest global media event—set for December in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi highlighted how BRIDGE provides an unparalleled platform bringing together leaders from around the world. It embodies an ambitious vision to cultivate a modern ecosystem upholding responsible journalism while setting new benchmarks.

Addressing Challenges

Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi further emphasised that BRIDGE offers opportunities to explore media's future while developing innovative solutions enabling adaptation amid rapid transformations. The summit addresses key industry challenges while presenting practical solutions fostering economic opportunities unlocking new investment avenues supporting start-ups expanding into wider markets enhancing competitiveness sustainable growth knowledge economy driver.

The Director-General concluded by stating they are not just building a platform but shaping global media's future through innovation influence vision rooted collaboration technology sustainability action transformation minds converging charting new course based on these principles.

With inputs from WAM