Public Diplomacy and Government Communication Forum to open today in Dubai

Under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the first edition of the Public Diplomacy and Government Communication Forum will opens today at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The one-day Forum is a new event organised by the Government of Dubai Media Office that aims to support government organisations in optimising their communication strategies through a discussion of global best practices and success stories from both the region and the world. The first edition of the Forum is set to bring together high-level experts as well as seasoned communication consultants from across the world to discuss the most important trends, issues, opportunities and challenges in public diplomacy and government communication.

The Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) on Saturday held a networking event to introduce the themes that will be addressed at the Forum. Director General of GDMO HE Mona Ghanem Al Marri as well as a number of speakers and delegates attended the event. Speakers attending the networking event included Former Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal Dr. Paulo Portas, and global counter terrorism expert Dr. Howard Clark, Chief Communication and Marketing Officer of the UN Foundation Aaron Sherinian; Former UK Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher; Former Downing Street Press Secretary and Director of Communication and Strategy for Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell.

Managing Director for Dubai Media City (DMC), Dubai Studio City (DSC) and Dubai Production City (DPC) Majed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Executive Office Abdullah Mohammad Saeed Bin Touq, Project Manager, Emirates Mars Mission, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center Omran Sharaf, Deputy Project Manager, and Science Lead of the Emirates Mars Mission Sarah Amiri, Executive Vice President of Brand and Communications at du Hala Badri, Chief Executive Officer of TECOM Business Parks Malek Al Malek, Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission Jamal Al Sharif and a number of senior government officials and media representatives were also among the attendees.

Al Marri welcomed the speakers and other guests at the event. She said the organisation of the Forum is inspired by the UAE’s leadership vision and reflects the high priority it gives communication as a driver of excellence in the government sector. She said the Forum serves as a platform for constructive dialogue and exchange of ideas that can help governments enhance their public diplomacy and communication programmes. She said speakers at the event will share their insights and ideas drawn from their vast experience in leading major initiatives and navigating challenges in the field.

Director - Strategic Media Affairs at GDMO Noora Al Abbar reviewed the key topics that will be discussed at the event. The discussions will cover major developments and trends in the practice of public diplomacy and government communication including crisis communication management, the impact of digital media on diplomacy; key message development; strategic counter-terrorism narratives; and management of national campaigns, apart from a range of other vital strategic and tactical issues.

Al Abbar also said that the Forum will analyse recent success stories from around the world to draw lessons on effective public diplomacy and communications management. She said the sessions at the Forum will also shed light on optimal strategies to overcome crisis situations and challenges, drawing from recent examples of governments overcoming tough challenges.

International speakers attending the event praised the launch of the Forum at a time when public diplomacy and communication are becoming important levers for effective governance. They also praised the UAE’s proactive efforts to foster knowledge sharing and exchange of ideas in a range of sectors.

The Public Diplomacy and Government Communication Forum is part of a series of events organised by GDMO across the year to support the evolution of the media and communication sectors, and strengthen relationships between government organisations and the media.