Photo Credit : WAM
The Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) will organise the fourth edition of the DXB500 Government Communication Training Programme as part of the Arab Media Summit 2026, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.
The latest edition will bring together 60 communication professionals from government and semi-government entities across Dubai, supporting the emirate’s efforts to strengthen the skills and preparedness of national talent working in government communication.
For the first time, DXB500 will be held within the Arab Media Summit, giving participants direct access to leading media and communication experts attending one of the region’s major media gatherings.
Participants will also attend sessions at the Government Communication Forum, which will make its debut during this year’s Summit. The forum will feature local and international speakers discussing emerging trends, global practices and developments shaping the future of government communication.
The DXB500 programme will focus on two main areas: behavioural insights and crisis communication.
The Behavioural Insights Team, a global organisation specialising in the use of behavioural science in public policy and government services, will deliver a workshop titled “Behavioural Insights: Methods and Tools for Government Communication.”
The workshop will examine how behavioural science can help communication teams better understand target audiences and develop government messages that are more relevant, engaging and effective.
IMI Media Academy, part of the IMI media group, will lead another workshop titled “When Crisis Hits: Mastering Communication Under Pressure.”
The session will focus on developing communication capabilities during crises and high-pressure situations, including managing fast-moving information, responding to real-time communication demands and ensuring messages remain clear and accurate during exceptional circumstances.
Hend Fekri, Director of Strategic Media Relations at the Government of Dubai Media Office, said DXB500 continues to play an important role in strengthening government communication capabilities across Dubai.
She said the programme helps communication professionals adapt to the rapid changes taking place across the media sector while improving their ability to engage audiences effectively.
Fekri added that holding DXB500 as part of the Arab Media Summit for the first time will provide participants with a wider learning experience combining practical training, knowledge exchange and the development of communication and storytelling skills.
Huda Dahkooni, Manager of the DXB500 Programme, said the initiative is designed to provide practical training that directly addresses the needs of government communication teams.
She said the programme equips participants with tools and methods that can be applied across different professional environments while helping them respond to emerging challenges and changing communication requirements.
Dahkooni added that the programme’s focus on crisis communication and behavioural insights reflects the growing need for communication professionals to operate effectively in an increasingly complex and fast-changing media environment.
DXB500 is one of GDMO’s strategic initiatives aimed at advancing government communication in Dubai. Across its previous editions, the programme has trained and qualified more than 200 communication and media professionals from government and semi-government organisations through practical, skills-focused training.
