World leaders, media industry icons unite under UAE's BRIDGE Alliance

A new global organisation called the BRIDGE Alliance has been launched in the UAE, bringing together world leaders, policymakers and creative innovators to drive inclusivity, investment and sustainable growth across the global media and entertainment industries.

The alliance is the first of its kind — uniting figures from government, business and culture. It's chaired by Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and the UAE Media Council

Operating as a non-profit, mission-driven body, BRIDGE Alliance will reinvest its resources into research, innovation and capacity building — aiming to connect ideas, capital and talent across borders.

The founding board includes Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, CEO of Rotana Media Group and Secretary-General of Alwaleed Philanthropies; Macky Sall, fourth President of Senegal; Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Vice-Chairman of BRIDGE Alliance; Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME; Janet Yang, former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Dr. Julie Gichuru, CEO of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute; Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group; Sanford Climan, Founder of Entertainment Media Ventures; strategist Richard Attias; and Maryam bin Fahad, Managing Director of BRIDGE Alliance.

Al Hamed says the alliance was born in the UAE as “a humanitarian and economic project” to strengthen the relationship between media, society and the global economy.

Its first major event, the BRIDGE Summit 2025, will take place from December 8 to 10 at Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibition Centre, bringing together 60,000 participants, 400 speakers and 300 exhibitors across seven tracks — from media and music to gaming and technology.

From Abu Dhabi, the BRIDGE Alliance aims to position the UAE as a global hub for creativity, collaboration and responsible media growth.