The Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) and MONIIFY, the financial-intelligence media platform built for Gen Zs and Millennials across MENA, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a three-year framework for cooperation focused on media talent development and content creation.
The agreement was signed during the Arab Media Summit 2026 in the presence of Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, and President of the Dubai Press Club.
Maryam Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club, and Albert Shafik, MONIIFY’s Chief Operating Officer, signed the agreement at a time when rapid technological advances, particularly artificial intelligence, and changing audience behaviours are continuing to reshape the way content is created and consumed.
Cooperation to Develop Media and Digital Skills
Under the MoU, GDMO and MONIIFY will explore a range of cooperation opportunities covering workshops, masterclasses and training sessions, as well as the exchange of knowledge and expertise and participation in relevant programmes and events.
The agreement also includes support for media and digital-content creation, helping emerging talent strengthen their practical skills and prepare for the rapid changes taking place across the media sector.
The partnership brings together GDMO’s focus on developing talent and advancing the media sector with MONIIFY’s mission to help Gen Zs and Millennials make smarter decisions, identify the right opportunities, and turn ambition into reality by making financial intelligence clear, relevant and actionable.
By combining GDMO’s commitment to talent and innovation with MONIIFY’s experience in research, educational storytelling, engagement of younger audiences and the use of emerging creative tools, the cooperation is designed to strengthen practical media capabilities while supporting Dubai’s ambition to remain a leading regional and global media hub.
Preparing a New Generation of Media Talent for the Future
Maryam Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club, highlighted the importance of partnerships that bring together media institutions and specialized expertise to develop a new generation of talent capable of keeping pace with changes across the sector.
She said the collaboration with MONIIFY will provide opportunities for practical learning and skills development in media and digital content creation.
She added that the MoU aligns with the Arab Media Summit 2026’s focus on supporting emerging talent, developing their capabilities, and strengthening their readiness to harness modern technologies and artificial intelligence to create media that is better equipped for the future.
The cooperation reflects a broader focus on providing young media professionals with practical opportunities to expand their experience, develop new skills and make effective use of the technologies that are transforming modern content production.
MONIIFY: A Partnership Supporting Media Innovation
Albert Shafik, MONIIFY’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “We’re pleased to collaborate with the Government of Dubai Media Office through a framework that reflects our shared commitment to developing the next generation of media talent and driving innovation in the sector. We look forward to sharing that experience through practical learning and contributing to Dubai’s ambition to shape a modern, future-ready media sector.”
The agreement brings practical training and specialized media expertise together in a framework that can help emerging talent develop the tools needed to work effectively in an increasingly digital and technology-driven media environment.
Training on Financial Content Creation for Younger Audiences
As part of the agreement, MONIIFY is scheduled to contribute through a series of masterclasses, podcasts, and panel discussions on creating financial content that engages younger audiences during the summit.
The session will cover key elements of MONIIFY’s content approach, including identifying the right audience angle, researching credible information, and turning complex subject matter into engaging and accessible stories.
It will also explore the use of AI and creative production tools to bring content to life, helping participants understand how new technologies can be used to enrich storytelling and strengthen audience engagement.
Arab Media Summit: A Journey Spanning Nearly 25 Years
The Arab Media Summit was launched in Dubai in 2001 under the directives and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, under its original name, the Arab Media Forum.
Over nearly 25 years, the summit has played a significant role in supporting the development of Arab media and advancing the quality of its output. It has also kept pace with rapid digital transformation and the emergence of new media platforms that have changed how content is created and how audiences engage with it.
As the event expanded, it developed into a broader platform bringing together eight specialized forums and three major awards, while maintaining its position as the largest media event in the Arab world.
The Largest Edition in the Summit’s History
The 24th edition of the Arab Media Summit, held under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, is the largest edition in the event’s history.
Held from 15 to 17 September 2026, the summit hosts more than 200 prominent media and intellectual figures from outside the UAE, along with more than 400 speakers representing leading global, Arab and local media organizations.
The programme features more than 175 panel discussions and dialogue sessions bringing together leading Arab media figures, content creators, influencers, media-technology experts and academics from 23 countries.
The summit brings together the Arab Media Forum, the Government Communication Forum, which is being held for the first time as part of the summit, the Arab Youth Media Forum, the Film Forum, the Gaming Forum, the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit and Dubai PodFest, along with other forums and activities organized in partnership with international media institutions.
It also features specialized training sessions and workshops developed in cooperation with major media organizations from the region and around the world, in addition to the Arab Media Award, the Arab Youth Media Award “Ibda’a”, and the Arab Social Media Influencers Award.
