The speech of the head of the Media and Communication Sector at the eighth edition of the Arab Media Excellence Award Committee
23 April 2024
The speech of His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Media and Communication Sector, during the meeting of the eighth edition of the Arab Media Excellence Award Committee
In the name of God, the most Gracious, the most Merciful
Mr. Hamad Al-Badri, Chairman of the Arab Media Excellence Award Committee,
Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the committee,
First and foremost, I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the headquarters of the League of Arab States for the eighth session of the Arab Media Excellence Award Committee. This committee diligently examines and evaluates submissions from member states and media organisations, selecting the most outstanding among them.
It's evident that this session carries immense significance, particularly given the current complex challenges and crises gripping our Arab world. Of paramount concern are the tragic events unfolding in the Gaza Strip and the escalating humanitarian crises, which have rightfully become focal points for the Arab media, utilising all available tools. Additionally, we cannot overlook the devastating earthquake that struck the Al Haouz region in the Kingdom of Morocco, resulting in 2,900 fatalities, 5,500 injuries, and widespread destruction, including the loss of numerous homes, structures, and historical landmarks. Furthermore, the tornadoes in Derna, Libya, tragically claimed the lives of 3,958 individuals and displaced 9,000 others, according to statistics from the World Health Organisation.
In this regard, I wish to express my appreciation for the invaluable efforts of this esteemed committee, applauding the diligent leadership and commitment of its chairperson and members. Their dedication to thoroughly reviewing submissions and bestowing awards with utmost integrity and impartiality is commendable.
Furthermore, I extend gratitude to the State of Kuwait, the sponsoring country, for its unwavering support of this award. I also acknowledge the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Information Ministers for their meticulous oversight of the award process. From the meticulous preparation for committee meetings to the provision of necessary documents and assistance in categorising nominations, their diligent efforts ensure the smooth operation of the award. Their commitment to ensuring that all committee members are well-informed about qualifying submissions and excluding non-conforming ones is instrumental in finalising all award-related documentation.
I also want to commend the positive engagement of Member States with the award, as evidenced by the significant number of nominations received by the General Secretariat. We received approximately 100 nominations across various categories, including television, radio, newspapers, and digital media. Specifically, there were 48 nominations in the television category, 24 in radio, 7 in the written press, and 9 in electronic media. Additionally, 24 individuals and institutions were nominated for recognition, underscoring the media's commitment and the tremendous efforts exerted by media professionals in covering current events, regardless of their gravity.
In conclusion, I would like to remind you that the Arab Media Excellence Award, established in 2015 by a decision of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, aims to foster creativity, innovation, and media excellence. Since its inception, it has held six sessions dedicated to various media topics, with the fourth session in 2016 notably focusing on supporting Jerusalem under the theme "Jerusalem in the Eyes of the Media." This initiative aims to contribute to the preservation of the unique cultural and spiritual identity of this sacred city.
May peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you all.
