Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed Headlines the Opening of the Second Day of the 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference, amid broad international participation
Abu Dhabi – 4 June 2026
Under the theme “The Impact of New Media and AI on Family and Community”, the 2nd day of the 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference 2026 commenced today in Abu Dhabi, bringing together a distinguished international gathering of officials, decision-makers, academics, and leaders of religious and media institutions from around the world.
The conference is hosted by Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies and Abrahamic Family House, in partnership with Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Humanities as the Knowledge Partner and the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau as the Destination Partner. The event reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to advancing civilizational dialogue and promoting a culture of coexistence and mutual understanding globally.
The day began with a keynote address delivered by H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, who emphasized that the United Arab Emirates offers the world an inspiring civilizational model that places people at the heart of development. He noted that this model is built upon a balanced development path that combines investment in technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence with the promotion of tolerance, coexistence, and respect for diversity. He stressed that genuine progress is achieved not by choosing between technology and values, but by integrating both within a comprehensive development vision.
His Excellency further highlighted that the greatest challenge in the era of new media and artificial intelligence is ensuring that humanity remains at the center of technological transformation, and that advanced technologies are harnessed to preserve family values and strengthen social stability and cohesion. He emphasized that while technology may shape the future, only people can give it meaning and determine whether it becomes a bridge for communication or a source of division, a tool for awareness or an instrument of misinformation.
This was followed by a keynote speech from H.E. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE and Chancellor of UAE University. He highlighted the UAE’s role in fostering human coexistence and drew inspiration from the vision of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in safeguarding national identity and the Arabic language as essential pillars of sustainable development. He stated:
“In a world increasingly influenced by algorithms, I do not believe that the answer lies in limiting technology or isolating ourselves from it. That is neither possible nor desirable. The UAE has always chosen the path of openness and engagement. The real challenge before us is ensuring that technology remains in the service of humanity and that digital progress continues to be grounded in a framework of human values”.
A welcome address was then delivered by H.E. Dr. Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies, who stated:
“In the past, children derived their values from their parents and immediate surroundings. Today, many derive them from algorithms. The greatest societal challenge is therefore how to raise a generation that uses artificial intelligence as a tool that serves them, rather than becoming servants to future search engine outcomes. The journey begins with awareness within the home and the family”.
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies, together with H.E. Sheikh Dr. Ammar bin Nasser Al Mualla, Vice Chancellor of Emirates Scholar Center, presented the Center Trophy to H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, and H.E. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE, in recognition of their contributions and participation in the conference.
The second day also featured a high-level panel discussion titled “Civilizational Dialogue, Diplomacy & the Digital Age”, with the participation of H.E. Dr. Etienne Berchtold, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the United Arab Emirates; H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government; and H.E. Dr. Mohammed Jaber Bin Jaber, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Human Rights Association. The session was moderated by Dr. Seppe Verheyen, Director of Education and Outreach at the Abrahamic Family House.
The conference continued with a series of specialized sessions across three main platforms: “Proud of UAE” “AI and Media” and “Family and Community”.
The sessions addressed key issues related to the impact of new media and artificial intelligence on families and communities, as well as the role of emerging technologies in shaping human relationships, cultural identity, and the future of civilizational dialogue. Discussions also explored challenges related to digital trust, governance, and algorithmic fairness, while examining the role of families and social institutions in promoting human values, coexistence, and digital responsibility.
For his part, Dr. Fawaz Habbal, Director-General of Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies and Conference President, stated:
“In the age of AI-driven media, we are living under one roof but within different virtual worlds. Algorithms now tailor a ‘personal truth’ for every individual, causing the language of shared dialogue to fade. The real danger of artificial intelligence lies not in its intelligence, but in its ability to transform the warmth of family life into cold digital interactions”.
The second day’s program also included the signing of several Memorandum of Understanding between the Emirates Scholar Center and several Emirati and international institutions and organizations. The accompanying activities featured a variety of cultural events, including the traditional Emirati Al Ayala performance.
The day concluded with a Diplomatic Roundtable Session that brought together a distinguished group of diplomats, experts, and international officials to discuss pathways for multilateral dialogue in addressing the shared challenges posed by the digital age.
The outcomes of the second day underscored the importance of building an integrated ecosystem that brings together families, educational institutions, media organizations, and policymakers to prepare future generations for rapidly evolving digital transformations while strengthening a culture of dialogue and social responsibility in an increasingly interconnected world.
The conference will continue on its 3rd and final day, advancing discussions on the future of civilizational dialogue and human coexistence in the era of new media and artificial intelligence, with the participation of leading experts, decision-makers, intellectual leaders, and religious figures from around the world.
