Kuwaiti Youth Delegation Emphasizes Importance of Regulating Digital Content Industry at Gulf Youth Forum in Salalah
A Kuwaiti youth delegation participating in the Fourth Gulf Youth Forum in the Sultanate of Oman stressed the need to elevate and regulate the Gulf digital content industry to enhance its role in showcasing the achievements and shared values of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Abdulrahman Al-Rabah, head of the Kuwaiti delegation appointed by the Public Authority for Youth and Sports, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) recently that he participated alongside Kuwaiti content creators nominated by the Authority in the forum’s events, held in Salalah this week under the theme “The Future of the Digital Content Industry.”
He added that the delegation, which included Rawan Al-Attiar, Khaled Al-Matrouk, Noura Al-Humoud, Raghad Al-Anizi, and Hamoud Al-Wasmi, emphasized during its participation in the forum’s activities and programs the importance of the digital content industry, which is one of the most influential and widespread fields among Gulf youth.
Al-Rabah noted that this industry has become one of the promising sectors in the “creative economy,” providing spaces for creativity, influence, and professional opportunities for young people. He highlighted its crucial role in highlighting Gulf identity and culture and strengthening their presence in the digital space.
Al-Rabah pointed out that the Kuwaiti delegation presented eight recommendations at the end of the forum yesterday to be submitted to the GCC Secretariat General, which participated through its Youth Department, with a view to presenting them at the upcoming meeting of ministers of youth and sports.
Regarding these recommendations, he said the delegation proposed establishing a Gulf platform to submit ideas for Gulf content creators, serving shared GCC issues and files such as national occasions, economic and developmental achievements, and shared Gulf identity values.
He also pointed to a recommendation to facilitate the coordination of coverage for Gulf landmarks and seasons by simplifying coordination procedures for content creators wishing to cover tourist attractions, events, and seasons in GCC countries, emphasizing that this should be done through a unified mechanism or a single point of contact in each member state.
As for the delegation’s third recommendation, Al-Rabah said it concerned the creation of a unified platform for reliable sources and data. This would involve designating a trusted reference platform or database that allows content creators to access accurate figures, statistics, and information, thereby enhancing the credibility of Gulf content and curbing the spread of unverified information.
He mentioned that the delegation considered it important to hold an annual gathering or conference for Gulf content creators. This would involve establishing a permanent annual forum bringing together content creators from various GCC countries to exchange experiences, showcase successful cases, and discuss industry challenges and developments, serving as an extension of the Gulf Youth Forum’s efforts in this field.
He noted that the fifth recommendation focused on the necessity of a unified guideline for systems and legislation, clarifying the main regulations and laws related to the content industry in each member state, such as disclosure of commercial sponsorships, intellectual property rights, and publication guidelines. This aims to help content creators comply with legal frameworks when working or collaborating across GCC countries.
To strengthen the technical and professional skills of Gulf content creators, Al-Rabah highlighted the Kuwaiti delegation’s recommendation to organize periodic training programs and workshops in partnership with specialized entities, qualifying them to produce more professional content that reflects a positive image of GCC countries.
He also emphasized the recommendation to launch a “Gulf Content Creator Passport” linked to the creation of a unified Gulf accreditation for content creators. This would enable holders to operate across GCC countries through a clear and simplified mechanism for obtaining permits and media coverage, meaning that “a content creator would not start new procedures in each country individually, but rather the Gulf countries would become a single market and field of work for them.”
Al-Rabah said the final recommendation concerned the establishment of a Gulf fund for content financing, i.e., launching an annual funding and commissioning program for outstanding Gulf projects and content, particularly content that enhances Gulf identity, tourism, culture, economy, innovation, and youth stories.
Regarding this recommendation, he stressed the importance of support including production financing and direct commissioning, linking creators with government entities and companies, and supporting the distribution of successful works regionally and globally, thereby transforming content from individual effort into an investable and growing industry.
He expressed hope that these recommendations would receive study and attention from the “Secretariat General,” contributing to the development of the Gulf digital content industry system and achieving the Gulf Youth Forum’s objectives in empowering youth and supporting the course of joint Gulf work.
Regarding the organization of the forum in the sisterly Sultanate of Oman, Al-Rabah said that, given the importance of keeping pace with rapid digital developments, the Omani Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth chose the topic of “Digital Content Industry” to discuss this year, with a distinguished group of young men and women from GCC countries participating through training workshops and discussion sessions.
Regarding the most important activities and programs of the forum, he clarified that members of the Kuwaiti delegation shared their experiences in content creation with Gulf delegations, exchanging views and experiences, presenting their beginnings in the digital content industry, and discussing the challenges they faced. They also participated in a dialogue session titled “Content Creation among Gulf Youth on Social Media Platforms: Reality, Dimensions, Returns, Impact, and Opportunities.”
They also attended two training workshops titled “Content Creators: Skills of Influence and Building Soft Gulf Power” and “Institutionalizing the Digital Content Industry: From Individual Initiative to an Integrated Team: Oman as a Model.”
He noted that Kuwaiti delegation member Rawan Al-Attiar was chosen to deliver the speech of the participating Gulf delegations on their behalf at the closing ceremony, where she received great praise from attendees and participants in the forum, whose main events were held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Cultural and Recreational Complex.
According to Al-Rabah, the forum’s activities also included tourist trips to key locations in Dhofar Governorate, including Wadi Darbat, Al-Haffah Market, Land of Frankincense Museum, Sultanate’s Rizat Farm, and a tour in an open-top bus, during the forum’s stay from the 5th to the 10th of September this month.
