Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the fifth session of the “Arab Awards Forum” was launched on Wednesday. The two-day event, hosted by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, gathered prominent figures from the Arab intellectual and scientific scene along with representatives of Arab awards.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasized the forum’s importance as a gathering of leading thinkers, cultural and scientific leaders in the region. She highlighted the role of intellectual achievements in advancing societies and strengthening the status and coordination of Arab awards. She said: “Dubai’s hosting of the forum reflects the emirate’s position as a leading center for thought, creativity, and culture regionally and globally, a destination that brings together Arab innovators, researchers, and thinkers and celebrates their outputs across various scientific, intellectual, literary, and other fields, establishing a unique knowledge dialogue. It also embodies Dubai’s unique vision based on knowledge, innovation, and investing in human capital, which is the foundation for shaping the future and harnessing its capabilities to provide innovative solutions to face challenges in a rapidly changing world.”

Creativity and Innovation

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

A Noble Message

In his opening speech, Jamal bin Huwaireb, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Award and CEO of the institution, stated that Dubai’s hosting of this forum is not merely hosting a leading Arab event but confirms its role as a global hub for knowledge production and idea creation, a destination for communication among innovators 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 the institution’s pride in leading this journey through the Mohammed bin Rashid 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 serve humanity and advance 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 tools for building human capital, stimulating scientific research, and enriching intellectual and literary production. The goal is to create an Arab system capable of competing globally and restoring Arabs to their natural position as pioneers of thought, science, and creativity since ancient times.”

An Inspiring City

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Sabeel, Forum Chairman and Secretary-General of the King Faisal Award, expressed his gratitude to the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation, saying: “Our gathering today in this inspiring city reflects Dubai’s status as a global destination for thought and knowledge and indicates the foundation’s pioneering role in supporting creative and innovative projects in the region. From this forum, which we consider a shared home for Arab awards, we look forward to continuing to enhance our communication and exchange experiences to jointly advance Arab creativity and direct efforts to strengthen the presence of Arab awards on the global intellectual scene.”

Ambitious Visions

He added: “We meet today carrying ambitious visions and looking forward to a brighter future for our forum by enhancing communication among awards, exchanging experiences, developing standards that raise institutional work quality, and increasing the impact of awards in their environment. We in the forum’s executive council are pleased with the annual increase in its membership.”

Recognition

The forum’s activities opened with a ceremony honoring several government institutions supporting Arab awards by granting them the “Arab Awards Forum Shield” bearing the signature of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal, the forum’s honorary president, in appreciation 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; the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center for sponsoring the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, one of the most prominent Arab and international awards; the 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.

A Platform for Awards

In partnership with the Arab Thought Foundation, the forum launched its new project, the “Arab Awards Platform,” a comprehensive and reliable Arabic database that receives all Arab awards meeting the joining criteria, providing detailed information about each award. This allows classification based on multiple criteria such as the awarding body, field, target category, financial value, and more. The platform also serves as a guide providing direct links to official award websites, reducing time and effort for researchers, nominees, and media, and expanding cooperation among awards themselves to document experiences and expertise.

The forum program also included holding the general assembly meeting of members, reviewing the forum’s journey since its launch, discussing cooperation prospects and future plans, and organizing specialized seminars with participation from a select group of thinkers and experts.