Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the fifth session of the “Arab Awards Forum” was launched yesterday. The event, hosted by the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award” on October 8-9, gathered a distinguished group of prominent figures in the Arab intellectual and scientific scene, as well as representatives of Arab awards. This initiative is part of the efforts by the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation,” the organizer of the award, aiming to create an encouraging Arab environment for thought and thinkers, enhance cooperation and integration among Arab awards, and consolidate their role in supporting creativity and innovation.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa emphasized the forum’s importance as a gathering place for leading thinkers, cultural and scientific leaders in the region. It highlights the role of intellectual achievements in advancing societies and strengthens the status and coordination among Arab awards. She said, “Dubai’s hosting of the Arab Awards Forum reflects the emirate’s position as a leading center for thought, creativity, and culture in the region and the world, a destination that brings together Arab creators, researchers, and thinkers and celebrates their outputs in various scientific, intellectual, literary, and other fields. It establishes a unique knowledge dialogue and embodies Dubai’s unique vision based on knowledge and innovation, investing in humans as the foundation for shaping the future and harnessing their capabilities to provide innovative solutions to face challenges in a rapidly changing world.”

She also pointed to the role of “Arab Awards” in supporting the creativity and innovation ecosystem in the Arab region, highlighting the contributions of Arab scientists who have presented major inventions since ancient times in various fields such as science, astronomy, medicine, and engineering. She affirmed the importance of continuing to invest in science and research to build a promising future for coming generations.

A Noble Message

Jamal bin Huwaireb, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award and CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, stated that Dubai’s hosting of this forum is not just about holding a leading Arab event but confirms its role as a global hub for knowledge production and idea creation, a destination for communication between creators and thinkers, and a laboratory for solutions enabling societies to build a brighter future.

He explained that the forum serves as a strategic lever to support Arab awards, develop their work mechanisms, and enhance their ability to keep pace with global transformations. He noted that the foundation takes pride in being at the forefront of this journey through the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, launched in 2015 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, carrying a noble message to honor achievements that contribute to serving humanity and advancing mankind.

He concluded, “We are called to go beyond traditional coordination limits and move towards strategic partnerships that enhance the role of Arab awards as a tool to build human capital, stimulate scientific research, and enrich intellectual and literary production. The goal is to create an Arab system capable of competing globally and restore Arabs to their natural position as pioneers of thought, science, and creativity since ancient times.”

Ambitious Visions

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Subail, Forum President and Secretary-General of the King Faisal Prize, expressed his gratitude to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation for hosting the event. He said, “Our gathering today in this inspiring city reflects Dubai’s status as a global destination for thought and knowledge and highlights the pioneering role of the foundation in supporting creative and innovative projects in the region. From this forum, which we consider a common home for Arab awards, we look forward to continuing efforts to enhance communication and exchange experiences among us, to jointly advance Arab creativity and direct efforts to strengthen the presence of Arab awards on the global intellectual scene.”

Honoring

The forum’s activities opened with a ceremony honoring several government institutions supporting Arab awards by awarding them the “Arab Awards Forum Shield,” bearing the signature of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Honorary President of the forum, in recognition of their role in supporting creativity and excellence. The honors included: the Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for supporting the Shinqit Award, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation for hosting the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center for sponsoring the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, Greater Amman Municipality for sponsoring the King Abdullah II Award for Creativity, and the Supreme Council of Culture in Egypt for adopting leading awards such as the Nile Award for Arab Creators and the Naguib Mahfouz Award for Novels.

Database

The forum, in partnership with the Arab Thought Foundation, launched its new project “Arab Awards Platform,” a comprehensive and reliable Arab database that receives all Arab awards meeting the joining criteria and provides detailed information about each award, allowing classification based on multiple entries such as the granting entity, field, target category, financial value, and others.

Latifa bint Mohammed:

    • The forum is a platform that brings together the most prominent leaders of thought, culture, and sciences in the region and highlights the role of intellectual achievements in advancing societies.

    Jamal bin Huwaireb:

    • Dubai’s hosting of this forum is not just about holding a leading Arab event but confirms its role as a global hub for knowledge production and idea creation.