- High-level gathering unites 80 leading gaming firms and government stakeholders to chart Dubai’s next chapter as a global digital entertainment hub
Dubai – His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today presided over the Dubai Gaming Retreat, an initiative convened by the Dubai Media Council. The event brought together representatives from 80 prominent local and international gaming companies, alongside key public-sector leaders, to advance strategic collaboration and define shared priorities for the emirate’s rapidly evolving gaming industry.
Accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the Crown Prince engaged in high-level discussions aimed at fostering cross-sector synergies and exploring targeted initiatives to propel the next phase of Dubai’s gaming ecosystem.
In his address, Sheikh Hamdan emphasised Dubai’s forward-looking approach to economic diversification:
“Dubai’s enduring success is rooted in our capacity to foresee future trends and translate vision into tangible outcomes. Building upon the far-sighted leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we are deliberately cultivating an environment where tomorrow’s industries can flourish, top-tier talent can thrive, and homegrown ventures can lead the next wave of economic advancement.
“The future of gaming hinges on robust public-private partnerships. Our aspiration extends beyond attracting global industry leaders—we are equally committed to nurturing an ecosystem from which the next generation of world-class gaming enterprises can originate, right here in Dubai.”
Reinforcing this vision, Sheikh Ahmed stated:
“Dubai continues to fortify its media landscape by investing in sectors that define the future. Gaming represents one of the most promising frontiers, unlocking new pathways for talent development, investment, and innovation. The Dubai Gaming Retreat underscores our dedication to working alongside industry stakeholders to accelerate growth, deepen collaborative frameworks, and establish one of the world’s most dynamic gaming ecosystems.
“By enhancing gaming’s contribution to Dubai’s economy, we simultaneously advance the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and solidify Dubai’s standing as a premier global hub for digital technologies and the creative economy.”
The retreat was attended by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council; Nehal Badri, Secretary-General of the Dubai Media Council; Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of the Dubai Gaming Committee; senior government officials; Hesham Al Olama, CEO of the Dubai Films and Games Commission; and a distinguished assembly of gaming company executives, developers, publishers, esports organisations, and institutional investors.
Commenting on the collective momentum, Al Marri remarked:
“The resilience and influence of Dubai’s media sector have always been anchored in collaboration and an unwavering commitment to innovation. Gaming affords us the opportunity to author the next chapter of that narrative. Our ambition is to position Dubai as a global cockpit where the future of gaming is conceived, developed, and showcased to the world—where bold ideas evolve into international success stories.
“One of our most valuable assets is the vibrant community coalescing around this sector—united by creativity, partnership, and a shared conviction that the next generation of global enterprises can emerge from Dubai. The Dubai Gaming Retreat provides the strategic platform for that community to collectively shape the trajectory ahead.”
Structured around five core strategic pillars—talent development, governance and regulatory frameworks, funding and investment, marketing and brand positioning, and infrastructure—the retreat’s deliberations are designed to inform future policy formulation, catalyse new partnerships, and drive initiatives that will sustain and amplify the growth of Dubai’s gaming ecosystem in alignment with national economic diversification goals.
BY: The Times Union