Global Media Congress to attract top media execs as speakers

The Congress will see an exhibition and a specialized conference that focuses on the latest developments in and the future of the media sector. (File photo: Kevin Gonzalez/Unsplash)

MANILA – Several top media executives from across the world, representing multiple continents and regions, are in the line up of speakers for the three-day conference held as part of the first edition of the Global Media Congress on Nov. 15-17 in Abu Dhabi.

Organized by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the event carries the theme, “Shaping the Future of the Media Industry.”

The Congress will see an exhibition and a specialized conference that focuses on the latest developments in and the future of the media sector.

Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director General of the WAM and chair of the Higher Organizing Committee of the Global Media Congress, said: “The lineup of speakers for the Conference represents governments, multiple media platforms, and academic specializations. Our aim is to foster a dialogue across media practitioners and regulators that will result in effective solutions for the challenges and a comprehensive roadmap for a bright future.”

The list of confirmed speakers includes Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Teleworking Applications; Monica Mutsvangwa , Minister – Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services from Zimbabwe; Wayne Borg, Managing Director, Media, Entertainment, Culture & Fashion Industries of NEOM from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Najib Gouiaa, CEO of MediaCity from Mauritius; Adrian Monck, Managing Director, Head of Public & Social Engagement at the World Economic Forum from Switzerland; Zubair Timol, Vice President, Culture, at Meltwater from the UAE; Javier Villanueva, CEO of Mega Media from Chile; Sofie Hvitved, Futurist, Senior Advisor & Head of Media, at Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies from Denmark; Sanjay Sindhwani, CEO at Indian Express Online from India; Philippe Petitpont, Co-Founder and CEO of Newsbridge from France; and Adrian Wells, Managing Director of ENEX from Luxembourg.

For his part, Saeed Al Mansoori, CEO of Capital Events, a subsidiary of ADNEC Group, said: “The distinguished speakers of the Global Media Congress, drawn from a variety of geographies and platforms, will offer invaluable insights for members of the media. Bringing a galaxy of top media experts from across the globe will facilitate transfer and exchange of knowledge and ideas that can contribute to the development of the media sector.”

PNA participation

The Philippine News Agency (PNA), the news wire service of the Philippine government, was invited to participate in the first edition of the Global Media Congress.

Assistant Director Lee Ann Pattugalan of the News and Information Bureau, PNA’s mother unit, said the media congress would bring in media practitioners from all over the world and allow them to share knowledge and experiences.

“This would give them an insight into how they can further develop and also allow them to connect with their counterparts from different countries,” she said.

In a fast-paced, digital world, it is crucial that the media industry also keep up with the changing times brought by technology.

“With the advancements brought by modern technologies, the media industry has also come a very long way and media practitioners have to keep on gaining knowledge through training and seminars to keep abreast of the latest updates in the industry,” Pattugalan said.

In February 2019, PNA and WAM signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Dubai, aimed at strengthening professional ties and cooperation in the field of news exchange.

The MOU, signed on the sidelines of the 2019 World Government Summit, was the first for PNA with an Arab news agency.

The MOU with WAM bolsters the PNA’s intent to reach out to the hundreds of thousands of overseas Filipinos working and living in the Gulf region.

The Congress will provide a platform to bring together leaders, decision-makers, experts, and journalists from the region and around the world to discuss a number of topics, concepts, and solutions that will play a pivotal role in defining the future of global media.

It will serve as a platform for reviewing the state of mass media in the region and the world and helping shape the vision for the future of the sector, which has become a primary driver of sustainable societal development.

The event will include a media exhibition and conference, which will enable various media organizations to discuss partnership and cooperation agreements.

It is expected to provide opportunities for various media institutions to discuss partnerships and collaborative ventures that will bolster the development of the media sector, ensuring its long-term sustainability, and the continued provision of solid, reliable and highly credible content.