Abu dhabi: The fifth edition of the Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries (Congress ACI), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of O Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), will take place on 20 September 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. This year's event will explore the theme Arabic as Infrastructure: Language, Identity and Economic Power in the Digital Age.
According to Emirates News Agency, against the backdrop of rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, Congress ACI will examine how Arabic can continue to evolve as an enabling force for the creative industries, strengthening intellectual property ecosystems, advancing Arabic language technologies and unlocking new opportunities for creators, entrepreneurs and knowledge institutions across the Arab world and beyond.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, stated that over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has continued to make sustained investments in institutions and platforms that enable creativity to thrive. The next phase is to strengthen systems that translate creativity into lasting cultural and economic value. From the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, which builds the knowledge, content, and market infrastructure for Arabic, to institutions like Dar Al Funoon, which enables home-grown artistic productions to be developed, owned, and shared with global audiences. The Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries serves as a platform for creators, innovators, and industry leaders to connect their expertise and opportunities across the sector, with Arabic being central to the creative economy Abu Dhabi is building.
Dr Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, expressed that language is not merely a means of communication but the infrastructure through which societies preserve identity, generate knowledge, and shape their future. Arabic has historically served as a civilisational foundation for intellectual exchange, creativity, and innovation. Today, it continues to contribute meaningfully to knowledge economies and technological advancement.
The Congress will feature a programme of panel discussions, training sessions, and workshops led by speakers from major cultural institutions, universities, publishing houses, and digital platforms. Featured speakers include Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Institut du Monde Arabe; Natasha Hemingway, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Shahid; and historian Roy Casagranda. They will be joined by many other regional and international experts contributing perspectives across culture, technology, academia, and innovation.
Beyond dialogue and knowledge exchange, Congress ACI will provide a platform for launching new initiatives, building strategic partnerships, and connecting creators with leading organisations across culture, technology, academia, and the creative industries.
Returning as a key component of the programme, Congress X Youth will offer emerging creatives and innovators opportunities to develop practical skills, engage directly with industry leaders, and turn ideas into impactful projects. The initiative will culminate in the Youth Innovation Awards, recognising outstanding concepts that contribute to the future of Arabic across the cultural and creative industries.
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre invites interested participants to register for the fifth Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries at CongressACI.com, joining a global platform dedicated to contributing to the advancement of Arabic as a driver of creativity, innovation, and economic value.