DUBAI: Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa on Tuesday won the best Arab Political Figure Award in Social Media.
The UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, presented on Tuesday to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the award for Best Arab Political Figure in Social Media.
This came during the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, which kicked off on Tuesday in Dubai, UAE, with the participation of more than 1,500 figures of senior influencers and experts in social media.
The Summit discusses key issues and mechanisms to improve means of communication to better serve Arab societies.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who initiated the “Arab Pioneers of Social Networking Award” that highlights distinctive Arab initiatives in the social networking field and honors creative figures in various sectors and across various social networking channels.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation at receiving this unique award, which reflects the spirit of the time and keeps abreast of the stunning new developments being witnessed in the field of information and communication.
The Foreign Minister commended the progress made by the United Arab Emirates and its development in various fields, particularly in the technical domain, where the UAE is considered a pioneering country of rich experience, which confirms its tremendous ability to use all available resources and possibilities to achieve further progress and prosperity for the benefit of the Emirati People.
The Minister of Foreign Minister stressed that this unique award reflects a conscious reading of the circumstances and challenges facing the Arab world, as it embodies great care to create a new tributary of Arab unity and harmony among communities across social networking sites that have acquired a prominent and growing role in various fields of life.
The Minister of Foreign Minister said that “This award emphasizes an important message that social networking sites, which have become an important feature of an era in which borders have faded and restrictions removed, must play a stronger role in the overall development process and largely contribute to the Arab people’s rapprochement”.
H.E added that this will happen by “promoting the useful positive practices and highlighting the pioneering, influential and talented ones to be role models for the rest of the members of the community in order to follow suit and take responsibility towards the community in all what is published through social communication means of various forms, in a way that it would eventually lead to positive changes in Arab societies.”
HE added: “social media has become a very important platform for its role in life and its fast-paced qualitative development. It also provides a vast area to show the capabilities and talents and to express opinions, ideas, proposals and initiatives. This imposes the need to invest in what is positive and beneficial and what enhances communication among community’s actors and influencers to maximize social benefits in all fields.
The summit is set to conclude tomorrow (Wednesday 18 March 2015) as those who harness the most positive potential of social media have been awarded. Awards covered 20 categories: government entities, private sector, blogs, media, sports, tolerance, community service, education, youth, technology, entrepreneurship, economy, politics, health, arts, security and safety, shopping, environment, tourism, and entertainment as well as the Social Media Personality of the Year who made the greatest impact through social media.
The summit featured a number of events aiming to create an interactive environment by honoring innovation and creativity, in social networking sites through awards such as the Arab Social Media Influencers Award, the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit which brought together more than 100 influential Arabic personalities on different social networking channels such as: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube from different sectors and fields to discuss their experiences in the social media and to highlight the best practices in the use of these channels.
This is in addition to the Arab Social Media Report which provides a comprehensive overview of the reality of social networking in the Arab world along with “Seeds” initiative which aims to support the innovative initiatives on social networking sites.’