WAM delegation accelerates cooperation with US media institutions, think-tanks
WASHINGTON, 28th February, 2022 – A delegation from the Emirates News Agency (WAM), headed by Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of WAM, discussed enhancing media cooperation and news exchange with several US media institutions and think tanks.
This came as the delegation visited a number of American media and research outlets to expand WAM’s partnerships with influential international media entities with the objective of promoting the
UAE’s cultural and humanitarian message worldwide.
The delegation also invited these institutions to participate in the maiden edition of the Global Media Congress that will be hosted by Abu Dhabi in November this year.
For their part, the US media and research institutions hailed the idea and agenda of the Global Media Congress, in terms of its focus on ways to address the global challenges faced the media industry.
They expressed interest in participating in the event and contributing to its discourses.
The delegation began its tour by visiting the Atlantic Council, an international affairs think-tank based in Washington.
During a meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance research cooperation in various fields, including the council’s endeavours to detect and explain misinformation “where and when it occurs.
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The delegation also visited ‘The Hill’, an American newspaper and digital media company based in Washington and founded in 1994.
In 2020, it was the largest independent political news site in the United States.
Focusing on politics, policy, business and international relations, The Hill’s coverage includes the U.
S.
Congress, the presidency and executive branch, and election campaigns.
The delegation also met with David Greenhalgh, Vice President of the US-UAE Business Council, and deliberated the council’s role in enhancing economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The discussions tackled the promising investment opportunities offered by the Emirati media sector as part of the country’s economic visions for next 50 years in light of its business-friendly ecosystem, conducive legislation, and advanced digital infrastructure that promotes the growth of the media sector through optimum utilisation of technology, including AI and IoT.
Greenhalgh hailed the rapid, multifaceted developments in the UAE, especially in the media sector, which, he said, plays a significant role in promoting the country’s investment-conducive environment and woos international companies to gain a prominent foothold in the region through the UAE.
He spoke high of the UAE’s success in organising Expo 2020 Dubai, an event, which, he said, reflects the remarkable potential and exceptional capabilities boasted by the country.
The delegation also visited the Axios platform, which was established in 2017, based on the shared belief that the world needed smarter, more efficient coverage of the topics shaping the fast-changing world.
It has become a leading and well-known media outlet for high-quality journalism with an audience of influential subscribers.
The two sides reviewed ways to enhance media cooperation and news exchange in light of recent trends that shape the media industry and the role of new technology in changing the way the public consumes news.
“The UAE and the US share solid and steadily growing strategic relations in various fields thanks to the support provided by the two countries’ leadership,” said Al Rayssi during the meeting.
The WAM Director-General added that the visit falls within WAM’s strategy to boost media and research cooperation with key international media institutions, especially in the US, to contribute to promoting the UAE’s cultural and humanitarian achievements globally, in line with the “Principles of the 50”.
“With its extensive expertise, able and efficient capabilities and global influence, the UAE media sector is able to significantly highlight the country’s trendsetting achievements and stature in strategic fields,” he said, citing the recent inauguration of Dubai’s the Museum of the Future as a world-class architectural icon that embodies the UAE’s pioneering vision towards a more prosperous, knowledge-based and innovation-driven future.
Al Rayssi added that he looks forward to the participation of the US media outlets in the Global Media Congress, which Abu Dhabi will host in November, to enhance international media cooperation between the UAE and the whole world.
At the end of the visit, Al Rayssi extended his thanks and appreciation to the UAE Embassy in Washington for providing the necessary support to the WAM delegation.