Despite the fact that Arabic is spoken by about 430 million people worldwide, and it is expected that this number will exceed 750 million by 2050, children continue to consume most of their content in other languages. This indicates a significant shortage of Arabic-language media and entertainment content.
Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, reported that currently 80 percent of the content watched by children is presented in languages other than Arabic.
Speaking at the Arab and Creative Industries Congress, Al Mubarak noted that this gap opens opportunities for Arabic content creators, covering areas such as social media, streaming platforms, animation, and video games.
As the number of Arabic speakers continues to grow, Al Mubarak emphasized the existence of a large potential audience for those capable of creating materials that reflect the culture and language of the region. He proposed setting a target standard of 50/50 between Arabic and content in other languages across all platforms.
He added that changing the content balance should not be seen as a decline of the Arabic language itself, stating: 'The world is changing, things come and go.'
Al Mubarak stated that a significant part of the responsibility for closing this gap will fall on the region's younger generation, calling them a 'strategic element' in shaping the future of the Arabic language. He urged young creators to find new ways to present the language to the audience through podcasts, games, animation, and social media.
He also cited the global cultural influence of South Korea, showing how creative industries can bring local-language content to an international level. Al Mubarak believes that Arabic creativity has the potential to have a similar global impact, but achieving this goal will require closer coordination in the Arab world.
The official called for the development of a unified strategy to create more opportunities for young Arabic-speaking creators and to help distribute their work outside the region. Al Mubarak warned that without immediate action, there is a risk of further language erosion, stressing that both financial and intellectual investments are necessary.
He concluded his speech with a direct appeal to students and young creatives: 'Create, create, create in Arabic and in Abu Dhabi. We are ready to work with you day and night.' Al Mubarak's speech took place during the opening remarks at the Arab and Creative Industries Congress, held at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi on September 20, 2026.