UAE Story Emphasises Hope, Achievement And Tolerance At 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026
The UAE is framing its media and digital presence around a clear national narrative, Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed told delegates at the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026. Al Hamed said the country’s leaders shaped a vision where every citizen, especially online, behaves as an "extraordinary ambassador" for the UAE’s values and long-term goals.
Al Hamed outlined the pillars of the UAE’s vision as unity, stability, people-centred development, comprehensive and sustainable growth, and a constant commitment to peace and coexistence. "UAE’s vision is supported by a balanced foreign policy and an open national identity rooted firmly in its principles," he said, stressing that these foundations guide policy and public communication.
Explaining the philosophy behind UAE media, Al Hamed said it draws from leadership values based on reason, pride, achievement and a balanced outlook. This approach prioritises thoughtful action over emotional reaction. UAE media, he noted, does not rush after political "trends" but prefers "strategic silence" when needed, choosing timing and messaging with deliberate care.
Al Hamed described media as the first shield for national values, public awareness and the UAE’s image abroad. "The UAE’s national narrative documents a real journey of achievements, not fiction, protecting a reality some seek to distort because of its depth of success and distinction," he added, arguing that consistent facts create resilience against external pressure.
Discussing social platforms, Al Hamed said the UAE sees these channels as spaces for civil, constructive conversations and as open windows that show the world its authentic customs and values. "Every word published by Emirati content creators carries the pulse of national values and reflects the dignity and maturity of society. Fruitless disputes do not align with Emirati culture," Al Hamed said.
He linked this approach directly to leadership guidance. "Drawing on the leadership’s approach, wisdom requires ignoring noise and provocation. The UAE’s most powerful response to challenges lies in the tangible reality it builds. While others choose rhetoric, the UAE chooses impact." He added that robust strength, space missions and advanced infrastructure form a clear language others readily understand.
UAE media vision and digital credibility
Al Hamed argued that credibility is the UAE’s main defence against misinformation, saying that the country’s visible progress acts as proof. "Our strength lies in the fact that our story is real; its protagonists are our people, and its achievements are visible to visitors before citizens," he said. "Solid community awareness turns society itself into a shield that recognises malicious agenda and transforms them into opportunities for greater national cohesion."
He stressed that combating organised smear campaigns does not mean copying their tone or methods. Instead, the answer lies in offering a more accurate and honest account of events. In this view, reality on the ground becomes the strongest media statement, and public understanding becomes a key factor in maintaining stability and trust.
UAE media vision and content creators
Turning to the role of individuals online, Al Hamed said content creators now act as the UAE’s digital ambassadors and guardians of its image. "The key question is not who tells the UAE’s story, but with what spirit it is told. The country wants its story narrated in the language of hope, achievements and tolerance," he added, calling for responsibility in every post.
Al Hamed linked this responsibility to a deeper national identity shaped by the UAE’s leadership. He said the moral compass of citizens was defined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and rooted in the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, marked by humility and generosity, under the overall vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
UAE media vision and 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026
Al Hamed’s remarks came during a keynote session on the second day of the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 in Dubai. The event, held under the theme "Content for Good," is organised by the UAE Government Media Office and hosted across Emirates Towers, DIFC and the Museum of the Future from 9 to 11 January.
{TABLE_1}Al Hamed said that, at its core, the UAE’s national narrative places people, quality of life and future leadership at the centre. This story, according to Al Hamed, reflects global openness and a sustained pledge to peace, coexistence and harmony, as the country continues to build a reality that aligns with these stated principles.
With inputs from WAM
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