The Arab Media Summit 2026 opened in Dubai on Tuesday, drawing wide participation from senior officials, decision-makers, and leaders of local and international media organisations.In a speech during the opening day, Hamed bin Karam, Editor-in-Chief of Al Bayan newspaper, expressed his thanks and appreciation to Dubai Media's leadership for its continued support for the development of media in general and journalism in particular. He announced the launch of the "Al Bayan Centre for Economic and Strategic Studies". The new centre aims to serve as a key support arm for Dubai Media and the News and Newspapers Unit. Its goal is to enhance the availability of data and information for readers and decision-makers.Hamed bin Karam said the need for research centres has become increasingly urgent for media organisations. Such centres help provide analytical content based on credibility and reliable data. He noted that the model of journalistic work has changed. The focus is no longer limited to traditional exclusives. Instead, it has shifted towards "analytical and specialised media" built on accurate figures and data. He stressed that the new centre represents a strong and supportive step for Al Bayan newspaper and the wider Dubai Media ecosystem.The Editor-in-Chief of Al Bayan also announced the launch of a study on UAE economic indicators covering the period from 1968 to 2024. The study offers a comprehensive review of the country's key economic indicators from before the formation of the federation. These include population growth, per capita income, GDP and other vital data. He described the study as "a gift that we present to the public on the occasion of the launch of the center."
