As part of preparations for the 2026 edition, the Summit has unveiled several major global initiatives.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit has announced Disney+ as a Strategic Partner for its fourth edition. The streaming platform, operated by The Walt Disney Company, joins the event as it continues to expand its global partnerships with leading players in the digital media and entertainment industry.
Organised by the UAE Government Media Office, the Summit will take place from January 9 to 11, 2026, across Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Museum of the Future. The upcoming edition will be held under the theme “Content for Good,” highlighting the role of purposeful and impactful digital storytelling.
The partnership with Disney+ reflects the Summit’s ongoing efforts to attract major international companies, enhancing the quality of digital content creation and strengthening the global creator ecosystem. Through such collaborations, the Summit aims to empower creators with access to world-class expertise, enabling them to reach wider audiences and build sustainable income streams, while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.
Tamim Fares, Director, Disney+ Middle East, said: “We are proud to take part in the 1 Billion Followers Summit—an important global platform that brings together leading creators and storytellers from around the world.”
He added: “Content creation today is a fundamental pillar of the entertainment industry. At Disney+, we see first-hand the impact that talented creators have in shaping how audiences discover and engage with stories. We’re proud to have worked with exceptional regional talent who have been at the heart of our recent campaigns and audience experiences in the region.”
He continued: “Our collaboration with the 1 Billion Followers Summit opens new pathways for how Disney+ can work with—and support—creators in the Middle East. It reinforces our commitment to fostering meaningful, culturally resonant content that, in turn, inspires the next generation of voices shaping entertainment in the region.”
Her Excellency Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and Director of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, stated: “Our collaboration with Disney+ represents a valuable addition that reflects the global stature achieved by the 1 Billion Followers Summit and marks a strategic step toward building alliances with leading international companies in the content creation and entertainment industry.”
She added: “Disney+ brings extensive expertise in creative content production and talent development. Through this tie-up, we aim to enhance the capabilities of Summit participants, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and experiences that will help them create purposeful content that meets global standards.”
Her Excellency emphasised that the Summit continuously seeks to build new collaborations that integrate global expertise with local talent, enabling content creators to expand their reach across diverse markets. “This collaboration reflects the rapid evolution of the digital media sector and keeps pace with the ongoing transformations shaping the global content industry.”
The fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit builds on the success of its previous edition in January 2025, which attracted more than 15,000 content creators and influencers, 420 speakers and 125 CEOs and global experts, recording over 30,000 in-person attendees and 1.5bn digital interactions.
As part of preparations for the upcoming edition, the Summit has announced several major global initiatives, including the world’s largest AI-generated film award, valued at $1m, launched in collaboration with Google, the Creators Ventures Accelerator, part of the second edition of the Creators Ventures programme, organised and supported by Creators HQ in collaboration with 500 Global, with up to AED 50m allocated to support creators and startups competing for funding and incubation. Initiatives also included the introduction of a dedicated pavilion for content creation companies for the first time since the Summit’s inception—a milestone aimed at advancing the content creation economy and empowering young creators to draw inspiration from leading influencers who have successfully established their own ventures.
