Activities spread across seven content tracks covering media, artificial intelligence, gaming, film, music and research.
The UAE National Media Office (NMO) has announced the launch of the BRIDGE Summit, which will take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event will bring together policymakers, creators and innovators, offering a global platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Spanning more than 1.65m sqft across six zones and seven content tracks, the BRIDGE Summit is expected to attract over 60,000 participants, including artists, producers, publishers, entrepreneurs, investors, universities and research centres. The programme will feature more than 400 international speakers and 300 exhibitors, creating the largest collective marketplace for media, content and entertainment worldwide.
Across its three days, the summit will present over 300 activities, including 200 panel discussions, 50 workshops, and a wide range of interactive sessions. These will foster cross-sector partnerships, facilitate new production ecosystems and value chains, and encourage knowledge sharing between global industry leaders.
The BRIDGE Summit will embrace the full spectrum of the media and content ecosystem, from music, film, television, digital platforms and social media to publishing, translation and performing arts. It will also highlight fast-growing industries such as gaming, augmented reality and virtual reality, while extending into design, architecture, crafts and cultural products. Universities, research centers and innovation hubs will also play a key role in shaping debates and advancing global standards.
Conceived as a global “laboratory of ideas,” the summit aims to translate creative concepts into scalable projects, foster collaboration between regulators and industry and connect ventures with financiers, distributors, and investors. Dedicated exhibition zones will showcase research, innovation and artistic work, while joint production labs and professional development sessions will help set unified standards and build competencies across the industry.
The seven thematic tracks are designed to map the future of global media and entertainment. The Media Track will focus on evolving newsrooms, formats and audience dynamics; the Creator Economy Track will explore monetisation models and platform tools; the Music Track will address digital production, streaming economies and rights management; and the Gaming Track will cover esports, immersive play and virtual worlds. The Tech Track will spotlight advances in AI, automation and mixed reality; the Marketing Track will explore consumer insights, omni-channel engagement, and brand storytelling; while the Picture Track will showcase visual storytelling through cinematic technology, streaming originals, and cross-media narratives.
According to the organisers, the summit’s impact will extend beyond the three-day event, advancing economic, social, cultural and organisational growth. Economically, it is expected to boost the creative sector by helping transform individual talent into sustainable enterprises and attracting future-focused investment. Socially, it will promote inclusion, diversity, and equal representation, while fostering a culture of healthy competition in skills development. Culturally, it will enrich creative output and celebrate diversity as a cornerstone of civilizational and artistic progress.
His Excellency Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE National Media Office and Chairman of the UAE Media Council, Chairman of Bridge, said: “BRIDGE Summit is a transformative milestone for the global media and creative industries. It redefines the role of media, content, and creative platforms as strategic drivers of development, while strengthening national identity and opening new bridges of understanding and exchange between nations.”
Chairman added: “The summit reinforces the value of content as the true capital of nations and a renewable resource for creativity and growth. In today’s world, the balance of power is shaped not only by economies and technology, but also by the ability of societies to create meaningful and impactful content. BRIDGE Summit is more than a gathering of specialists; it is a step towards building a shared global consciousness that recognises the lasting influence of content on minds, markets, and the future.”
H.E. emphasised that the partnerships, initiatives, and joint projects launched through the BRIDGE Summit will leave a lasting mark on the global creative landscape, contributing to a leading model for shaping the future and reinforcing the UAE’s role as a hub for positive influence and transformative change.
Registration for the BRIDGE Summit 2025 is now officially open.
