Will the UAE Be the Capital of Arab Pop Culture Over the Next Decade?

NYUAD Institute

This talk discusses whether the UAE is on track to become the epicenter of Arab pop culture over the next decade or if its influence will remain tied to amplifying trends from elsewhere. While the country has established itself as a global business and finance hub, can it also position itself as a leading exporter of Arab creativity, shaping regional and global cultural currents? The panelists will examine the forces driving the UAE’s creative industries, the role of institutional and private support, and the challenges and opportunities that will determine its long-term cultural influence. Panel Members Gianluca Chakra, CEO, Front Row Entertainment Rawan Al-Dabbas, Regional Director, IFPI MENA Moderated by Mikey Muhanna, CEO & Founder of afikra | عفكرة In Collaboration with afikra