Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the world's attention and that of media decision-makers are turning to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, which is preparing to host the fifth edition of the "Saudi Media Forum 2026." The prominent event is scheduled to begin next Monday and will continue from February 2nd to 4th, 2026, under the theme "Media in a Changing World," amidst a strong international presence and broad participation from media elites.
A decade of transformation with an ambitious vision
This edition of the forum holds exceptional importance and historical significance, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the launch of "Vision 2030." This ambitious vision, spearheaded by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has brought about an unprecedented transformation across various sectors, most notably the media sector. The Crown Prince's directives have contributed to transforming Saudi media from a mere conduit for events into an influential player on the international stage and a true reflection of the Kingdom's remarkable development, thus bolstering Saudi Arabia's soft power on the global stage.
In this regard, Minister of Information Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership for its unlimited support for the media sector, stressing that the royal patronage of the forum embodies the leadership’s belief in the centrality of the media as a strategic partner in development.
Riyadh: The Capital of Arab and International Media
The forum's convening underscores Riyadh's position as a regional and international media hub, bringing together over 300 of the world's leading media professionals, experts, and academics. The forum will feature more than 150 in-depth dialogue sessions aimed at exploring current challenges and future opportunities for developing the media industry.
Participants will discuss the theme “Media in a World in Shape,” which reflects the changing geopolitical and technological reality, and the need for media institutions to move from the stage of consuming content to leading innovation, in order to keep pace with rapid changes and consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for media decision-making.
Keeping pace with artificial intelligence and major projects
The head of the Saudi Media Forum, Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, affirmed that the fifth edition comes in response to the demands of the current era, characterized by the dominance of artificial intelligence technologies and the changing patterns of how audiences receive information. He pointed out that the forum is not merely a platform for dialogue, but a global workshop aimed at deconstructing challenges and transforming them into opportunities, with a focus on restoring trust in the media message and building impactful narratives.
This edition marks a significant leap forward with the launch of the "Boulevard 2030" zone for the first time, alongside the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX). The forum's halls will transform into a vibrant showcase of the nation's monumental achievements, highlighting success stories in major projects such as NEOM, Diriyah Gate, and Qiddiya. The forum will serve as a bridge connecting media professionals and visitors to the Kingdom's flourishing development and its bright future.
