‘Revise social and economic concepts’

Dubai / WAM

The world is seeing a fast pace of development due to the speed of technological advancement, which has enabled unprecedented interaction between individuals and communities, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said.
While honouring the winners of the Arab Social Media Influencers Awards, he said many social, economic and cultural concepts have to be revised because of this transformation, which is still at its peak.
The award ceremony was held on the sidelines of the second edition of the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS), being held from
December 13-14 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of keeping up with global scientific and knowledge development to enable Arabs to regain their civilisational glory. “The profound changes the region has witnessed requires us to keep pace with the speed of global developments and changing knowledge trends. We need to intensify the work required to benefit from these scientific and technological breakthroughs and accelerate development in the region so that the region can regain its position as a cradle for human civilisation.”
He also highlighted the growing impact of social media platforms and its influence on people. Sheikh Mohammed warned against the trap of wasting time, and urged people to use time prudently.
“There is no doubt that social media has impacted people’s lives, and provided an opportunity for talented people in their domains to influence their environment and followers. It is very important to know that the ability to make a positive impact on society is a gift that needs to be used to help develop communities and support their aspirations. In addition, we need to highlight successful models and encourage creative talent in order to achieve the highest excellence,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The event was attended by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
Among others present were HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group; HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future.
Also attending the event were Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, Chairman of the Board of Director of National Media Council (NMC). Both were honoured at the Awards ceremony.
The ASMIS Awards received nominations from 21 countries, with 87% of nominations coming from Arab countries. The nominees included Arabs residing in foreign countries.
Among the honorees were Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, in the category of individuals representing the public sector. Also the winners were Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for using social media to incentivise youth; Sheikh Majed Al Sabah in the category of tourism; and Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash in the category of politics.
Saudi Ahmed Al Shagiri won the award in the media category, while UAE singer Hussain Al Jassmi won the award in the art category.
Among corporate awards, Emirates received the award in the tourism category, while the UAE Ministry of Interior won the award in the public sector category. MBC sports anchor Mustapha Al Agha won the public choice award.

VP issues directives to
launch Arab Social Media
Influencers Club

Dubai / WAM

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, issued directives to launch the Arab Social Media Influencers Club, a new initiative that seeks to enhance the role and contributions of social media influencers in the development and progress of the Arab
society.
The initiative also seeks to leverage the influencers’ reach and impact to encourage creativity in the Arab region.
Speaking at the Arab Social Media Influencers Awards ceremony, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Chairperson of the Organising Committee of the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, ASMIS, said that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid had issued directives to set up the first branch of the Club in the UAE, while other branches would be established across the Arab region in partnership with leading organisations, with the aim to increase the participation of the Arab youth in the growth and
development of the region.
“The participation of key Arab social media influencers in ASMIS is a source of inspiration for the summit and its attendees,” she said.
Sheikh Mohammed’s various social media platforms have attracted more than 15 million followers from across the world, Al Marri added, noting that Sheikh Mohammed sees social media platforms as channels for direct interaction with people.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, also attended the event.
Being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre on December 13-14, ASMIS features prominent regional and international social media influencers and experts. The summit provides a forum for social media influencers from across the Arab world to interact directly with the public and showcase their talent.
From education to health to human development, sessions at the summit cover a wide range of positive and constructive topics within the Arab context, which are shared across social networking sites. This year’s edition aims to generate innovative ideas to promote the positive impact of social media platforms.
Marri said that Sheikh Mohammed “is a strong believer in the abilities, creativity and positivity of the youth.” His conviction in the ability of youth to take on responsibilities and contribute to the nation’s progress was the reason behind the selection of Shamma Al Mazrui as the Minister of State for Youth, who became the youngest minister in the world in the recent Cabinet reshuffle, she added.
“Luckily, as you all know, the Arab World is full of energy as youth comprise 25% of the region, of which the 18-25 age group represents 75%. The majority of youth receive their news and information, sometimes exclusively, from social media platforms, which have become an alternative to traditional media outlets,” Al Marri said.
“We have confidence in the ability of social media influencers to create new dimensions for this unprecedented penetration of social media platforms. You have a responsibility to help create positive change through these platforms,” she added.
According to her, the large attendance at the summit reflects its profile despite the fact it is only the second edition of the annual event. More than 2,500 people registered to attend the summit, which highlights the increasing importance of social media platforms and their impact on people’s lives and their communities, she said.