Inaugural BRIDGE Summit in Abu Dhabi Unites 40,000 Participants from 182 Nations

The UAE capital has firmly positioned itself as a global hub for media innovation with the successful conclusion of the inaugural BRIDGE Summit 2025, which brought together 40,000 participants from 182 countries a record presence for a first-time media and content event.

Held from December 8–10 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the three-day summit catalysed global partnerships across media, technology, content creation, and investment, marking a major step toward shaping the future of storytelling, AI governance, and cross-sector collaboration.

A Global Gathering with Massive Reach-

The excitement extended far beyond Abu Dhabi. The Summit’s live stream on X amassed a remarkable 57.5 million views across 190 countries, while the BRIDGE Summit mobile app surged to the No. 1 spot on the UAE Apple Store’s Business category.

Digital engagement numbers underscored the event’s impact:

• 5.4 million in-app interactions

• 1,276 meetings scheduled via the platform

• 834 million total audience reach across online and traditional media

• 67,000 active users on the Summit’s digital portal

These figures highlight BRIDGE’s emergence as a truly global media platform with widespread influence.

Strategic Alliances and Major Deals-

During the Summit, Abdulla bin Mohamed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of BRIDGE, led the Summit leadership team in 38 high-level bilateral meetings with leading global organisations spanning media, technology, investment, and content production.

These discussions produced 48 memoranda of understanding and commercial agreements, including one of the Summit's standout achievements a $200 million commitment to develop a media and technology innovation centre in Abu Dhabi by 2026. The centre aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a world-class hub for content creation, advanced technology, and cross-industry innovation.

A Platform for All Generations and Disciplines-

The Summit’s structure fostered rich dialogue and inclusivity, connecting Gen Z creators, young storytellers, industry veterans, executives, and policymakers. Conversations spanned seven thematic tracks, weaving connections across media, film, music, gaming, the creator economy, marketing, and technological innovation.

Artificial Intelligence took centre stage, with industry leaders exploring how AI is revolutionising content production, distribution, and audience engagement  reinforcing the Summit’s mission to build a forward-thinking, future-proof media ecosystem.

The inaugural BRIDGE Summit has not only elevated Abu Dhabi’s global standing in media and content innovation but has also laid the foundation for a new era of collaborative storytelling one where technology, creativity, and cross-border partnerships converge to shape the next chapter of global media.