Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries 2026 to Explore Arabic’s Cultural and Economic Role in the Digital Age

Organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries 2026 has unveiled its program for September 20 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The event will bring together policymakers, investors, technology leaders, academics and creators to examine the systems, partnerships and investment needed to strengthen Arabic across the creative and digital economy.

Held under the theme “Arabic as Infrastructure: Identity, Knowledge & Economic Power in the Digital Age,” the program will examine how investment in intellectual property, creative businesses, language technology, digital platforms and talent can strengthen Arabic as both cultural and economic infrastructure and generate sustainable value in the digital age.

His Excellency Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, said: “Arabic has a vast civilisational and cultural legacy, and the value of that legacy is renewed and integrated into the service of modern development in line with our success in transforming it into knowledge, creativity and enterprises capable of reaching new audiences and markets. Today, the priority is not only to increase accessibility to Arabic, but to expand its capacity to generate content, protect the rights associated with it, and create new pathways for creators to invest in and develop their ideas. Our ambition at the Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries is for Arabic to be present across the entire creative value chain, from ideas and knowledge to content, intellectual property and investment, and for it to evolve from being a means of cultural expression into an active force in shaping the future.”

Egyptian actor, writer and producer Ahmed Amin will host the Congress and guide attendees through the day’s sessions, discussions and experiences.

The program will begin with a Conscious Conversation, “Arabic Language and Identity in a Changing World,” bringing together HE Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre; HE Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Arab World Institute in Paris; and Professor Roberto Tottoli, Rector of the University of Naples L’Orientale. The conversation will explore cultural, academic and institutional perspectives on how Arabic can remain an anchor of identity and knowledge while strengthening its role as a creative and economic asset in the digital age.

A discussion on Arabic Content Value & IP will bring together Kinda Ibrahim, Regional General Manager of Operations, TikTok Europe, the Middle East and Africa; Rana Idriss, CEO and General Manager of Dar Al Adab; and Natasha-Matos Hemingway, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer of MBC Shahid. Drawing on perspectives from publishing, digital platforms and content distribution, the session will examine how Arabic content is valued, what influences commissioning and acquisition decisions, and how rights, licensing and cross-platform development can help creators generate greater value from their intellectual property.

Another discussion will focus on the role of government and policy in creating the conditions for Arabic creative industries to grow and compete internationally. Moderated by Eleni Giokos, CNN International Anchor and Correspondent, the session will feature Professor Andy Pratt, UNESCO Chair in Global Creative Economy and Professor Emeritus of Cultural Economy. It will examine the role of policy, talent development, funding and institutional support, as well as the frameworks needed to support sustainable growth across the creative industries and strengthen their contribution to the wider economy.

Historian, political science professor and content creator Dr. Roy Casagranda will also explore centuries of linguistic and intellectual exchange between Arabic and Europe in a special presentation. The session will examine historical interactions between the Arab world and Europe, the transformations that shaped Arabic over time, and the language’s role in transmitting knowledge and influencing thought and culture across Spain, Italy and the wider European continent.

Alongside the main program, Congress X Youth will feature a series of masterclasses, workshops, live simulations and industry experiences for university students, emerging creators and young professionals. Participants will have opportunities to learn directly from industry leaders and experts from organizations including CNN Arabic and Image Nation Studios.

For writers and storytellers, American novelist and scriptwriter Todd Gallicano will lead “Creating Storyworlds,” a practical masterclass exploring how an individual story can develop into a broader creative world. Participants will learn approaches to developing characters, communities and the wider environments surrounding their stories, as well as frameworks for building storyworlds and intellectual property that can extend across platforms.

CNN Arabic will offer practical media experiences designed to introduce participants to the realities of professional news production. One program will invite participants to take part in a global news simulation, responding to developing stories and navigating the decisions and pressures involved in producing news in real time. A separate mobile journalism masterclass will explore practical production skills and how AI tools can support journalists and storytellers throughout the creative process.

Returning this year, Congress X Youth will conclude with the Congress X Youth Innovation Awards, recognizing ideas that strengthen the Arabic language through technology, storytelling, publishing, design and other creative disciplines. Shortlisted finalists will present their projects to a panel of industry leaders during the Congress, with winning concepts recognized at the Innovation Awards Ceremony.

The Congress will also introduce the pilot edition of the Congress ACI Matchmaking Platform, connecting creators, investors, researchers and decision-makers from across the region and internationally, with opportunities to build professional connections and explore potential collaborations beyond the event.

The day will conclude with Egyptian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Hamza Namira in conversation, followed by a live acoustic performance. The discussion will reflect on his creative journey and the role of Arabic poetry, dialects and musical traditions in creating work that remains locally rooted while connecting with audiences across cultures.

Through its program, the Congress will combine industry discussions with practical learning, live creative experiences and networking opportunities, giving participants access to ideas, knowledge and tools they can apply to their own work.

To learn more about the program and register, visit CongressACI.com.