Abu dhabi: Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority (NMA), recently engaged in a meeting with Kojo Boakye, Meta's Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, Middle East, and Trkiye. The meeting, held in London, focused on enhancing the strategic partnership between the UAE and Meta, particularly in the realms of digital governance and content safety.
According to Emirates News Agency, the discussion was part of the NMA's ongoing efforts to forge strategic alliances with prominent global digital platforms. The aim is to cultivate an innovative and safe digital media ecosystem that aligns with the rapid changes in the media landscape. The meeting covered a range of priority topics, including digital policies, platform governance, responsible artificial intelligence, and combating misinformation.
The discussions also delved into potential cooperative opportunities and the launch of joint initiatives designed to improve the digital media environment. Both parties are keen on enhancing content trust and encouraging innovation across the sector. Furthermore, they explored the possibility of utilizing Meta's latest technologies in alignment with the UAE's vision of fostering a globally competitive media model driven by innovation.
Al Hamed emphasized that the UAE's media sector vision is rooted in the belief that media is essential for economic growth, national identity reinforcement, and enhancing the country's competitiveness. He highlighted that the UAE has established a forward-thinking model blending innovation, flexible legislation, and global partnerships to shape the future of media.
The UAE is positioning itself as a prime destination for investment in media, technology, and creative industries, supported by its advanced legislative framework and digital infrastructure. This environment provides significant opportunities for international companies aiming to expand into regional and global markets, contributing to the orange economy's role in sustainable development.
Al Hamed noted that the collaboration with Meta exemplifies the kind of strategic partnerships the UAE seeks with leading digital platforms. These partnerships are instrumental in developing digital policies, promoting responsible AI use, and fostering a reliable and innovative media environment. They also focus on investing in national talent and facilitating knowledge exchange to advance media's future and reinforce the UAE's leadership in this vital sector.
The meeting concluded with a demonstration by Meta's team of the Orion augmented reality glasses, showcasing their advanced capabilities in interactive experiences and potential applications in digital content creation, communication, and media practices. Attendees included Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi from the NMA, Muhammad Abushaqra from Meta, and Sylvia Musalagani from Meta.