Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of Music Nation, participated in the Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries as a speaker in a high-profile panel. The congress, held on September 14–15 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, carried the theme “Arabic Creativity Reimagined: Innovation in Storytelling and Audience Engagement,” and brought together some of the most influential Arab leaders shaping today’s creative industries.
The panel discussion, featuring acclaimed actress and filmmaker Nadine Labaki and moderated by Caroline Faraj, Editor-in-Chief of CNN Arabic, delved into the role of art and music in projecting Arab cultural identity on the global stage. It also highlighted the importance of balancing heritage with innovation in the creative industries, and their contribution to strengthening the cultural economy both locally and internationally.
Now in its fourth edition, the congress welcomed an audience of distinguished creatives and decision-makers, including H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism; H.E. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre; acclaimed actress Hend Sabry; and Palestinian-American comedian and artist Mo Amer, alongside a host of other leading Arab creative voices.
During the discussion, Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak emphasized that music is a powerful tool for both preserving Arab cultural identity and opening doors to the world. She highlighted that its resonance begins locally, stating: “When a song reflects our identity, stories, and experiences, it nurtures pride and belonging at home. These human narratives then transcend borders, resonating globally with audiences of diverse cultures.”
Al Mubarak emphasized that protecting artists’ rights is the foundation of a sustainable creative economy. Through Music Nation’s global partnerships with BMI and SoundExchange, the organization provides fair compensation, international access, and a world-class licensing framework that empowers creators while enabling businesses to thrive. She affirmed that a key aspect of Music Nation’s mission is to make Arabic music globally competitive while preserving its authenticity, ensuring creators are valued, protected, and able to reach audiences worldwide.
Al Mubarak further noted that Music Nation’s strategy aligns with the UAE Vision 2031 and the UAE’s National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), reinforcing the nation’s position as a global hub for music and the wider cultural industries.
More broadly, The Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries is the world’s leading platform celebrating the Arabic language and its cultural expressions across various creative industries. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the Department of Culture and Tourism, it aims to showcase the Arab creative landscape through a contemporary lens and contribute to building a promising Arab cultural and creative ecosystem that is aligned with the UAE’s efforts to enhance the global standing of the Arabic language.
Earlier this year, Music Nation was awarded a Collective Music Organization (CMO) permit by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism to manage music rights throughout the nation, in accordance with the UAE’s IP enforcement legislation. The company collects and distributes artistic royalties, safeguarding creators’ rights, and ensuring that businesses that use music do so in compliance with the intellectual property laws in the UAE. This reinforces Music Nation’s pioneering role in building an integrated music ecosystem that empowers artists and contributes to strengthening the UAE’s standing on the global creative stage.
