The fourth edition of the Saudi Media Forum was inaugurated on 19 February in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The forum, running from 19 to 21 February brings together Ministers of Information from Arab countries alongside 2,000 participants, including representatives from Arab and international media institutions, press organisations, and digital platforms.
His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Media and Communication Sector at the League of Arab States, participated in the forum's main session titled "Media Legislation and Its Impact on Achieving Sustainable Development." The session featured distinguished speakers, including His Excellency Muammar bin Mutahhar Al-Eryani, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism of the Republic of Yemen, and His Excellency Ramzan bin Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, Minister of Information of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Fahd Al-Arabi Al-Harthi, Founder and President of the Asbar Centre for Studies, Research, and Media.
In his remarks, Ambassador Khattabi elaborated on the concept of sustainable development, highlighting its social, economic, and environmental dimensions. He underscored the commitment of Arab states to the United Nations Agenda 2030 through national strategies and stressed the League of Arab States' dedication to fostering a cohesive and integrated regional development framework. He noted that since the adoption of the UN Agenda in 2015, the League of Arab States has taken proactive steps by establishing a dedicated department for sustainable development and integrating its principles across 13 specialised ministerial councils, including the Council of Arab Information Ministers. He further recalled the Dhahran Summit of 2018, which endorsed a Media Map for Sustainable Development, reinforcing the intrinsic link between media and development objectives.
Ambassador Khattabi stressed the pivotal role of new media in advancing sustainable development, describing it as an essential tool for communication, participation, and public engagement with development strategies. He advocated for a more comprehensive and inclusive Arab approach, where citizens—alongside governments, parliaments, local councils, and civil society institutions—serve both as the drivers and beneficiaries of development.
In light of rapid technological and digital advancements, he noted the necessity of leveraging new media and harnessing social media platforms to address pressing development challenges in the Arab world. With the 2030 deadline approaching, he called for embracing digitalisation and the knowledge economy, highlighting the indispensable role of youth and women as catalysts for comprehensive and sustainable development.
