Making the Next Headlines

Media City Qatar hosted the first steering committee meeting with the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council today at its headquarters. The steering committee was established to oversee the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties during the 2024 ‘Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg’.

The MoU establishes a framework to turn shared ambitions into action. It calls for a joint steering committee to coordinate priorities, deliver a shared value proposition built on the strengths of both organizations, and alignment of incentive frameworks. It also lays the foundation for accelerated partnerships with clear timelines, alongside a strong focus on training, development, and participation in local and international innovation platforms.

At today’s meeting, both parties moved to implement these objectives by formalizing a joint working group, agreeing to begin executing selected areas of the MoU, and launching the Media Innovation Lab as a sector-wide platform for innovation challenges and opportunities. The steering committee also aligned on immediate priorities and long-term milestones to drive impact across the ecosystem.

Discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration, effective operating models, and preparing the media sector for future opportunities. Talent attraction and media-specific innovation were identified as key areas of focus, with both sides agreeing to deepen joint planning in upcoming workshops.

This collaboration builds on the commitment of both Media City Qatar and QRDI Council to drive innovation-driven media sector in line with Qatar’s National Development Strategy 3 (NDS-3) and contributing to economic diversification. By creating a clear framework for joint initiatives, the partnership is set to enhance the global competitiveness of Qatar’s media sector while positioning Media City Qatar as a key enabler and aggregator of technology and innovation for the wider media ecosystem.

With more than 250 licensed companies ranging from global leaders to local startups, Media City Qatar continues to expand pathways for innovation, collaboration, and growth. The committee’s launch represents a key step in contributing to transforming Qatar into a destination for RDI-intensive media organizations and strengthening the country’s position at the crossroads of media and innovation.