Latifa bint Mohammed: trust is a city’s most precious asset
Speaking at the Arab Media Summit 2026 in Dubai, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum argued that trust, built by actions and a sense of belonging, underpins a city’s success and resilience.
Trust, belonging and the role of stories
H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, told delegates at the Arab Media Summit 2026 that a city’s true narrative is formed not merely by its landmarks but by the trust it earns, the opportunities it creates and the degree to which residents feel they belong.
The Summit, organised by the Dubai Press Club and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, ran from 15th to 17th September and gathered media leaders, academics, creators and industry professionals from across the Arab world.
In an address titled ‘The Stories That Shape Our Cities,’ H.H. Sheikha Latifa argued that trust matures when leaders and institutions match words with actions, and when public policy visibly elevates people’s wellbeing. She cited the UAE’s collective response to recent regional crises as evidence of a strong bond between leadership and community, referencing the enduring legacy of the Founding Fathers and the stewardship of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
She emphasised that the solidarity shown by citizens and long‑term residents alike — those who have chosen the UAE as their home — is testament to the way institutions have prioritised safety, continuity and quality of life. That protection of daily life and business, she said, strengthens public confidence and cements a shared sense of purpose.
Culture, technology and the credibility challenge
Sheikha Latifa highlighted culture as a means of fostering mutual understanding: narratives, heritage and creative expression provide channels for people to convey experience and connect with the wider civic story. At the same time, she warned that the changing media landscape presents new risks.
With social media and artificial intelligence expanding the speed and volume of content, the capacity to fabricate or manipulate material threatens the credibility of news and public information. She noted the particular urgency of this issue in the Arab world, where people under 30 account for more than 55% of the population, describing the generation as the most connected and the most exposed to digitally fabricated content.
In Sheikha Latifa’s view, authentic, human experience remains the most precious currency in an era of rapid technical amplification: genuine storytelling, supported by robust institutions and a clear focus on citizens’ welfare, is what ultimately builds and sustains trust.
She concluded by underlining the UAE leadership’s emphasis on a “mindset of possibility” — investing in people and infrastructure so that opportunities are open to all who live and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Source: WAM