Global leaders at BRIDGE Summit 2025 praised the UAE’s visionary leadership, celebrating Abu Dhabi’s rise as a global hub for innovation, media, culture and responsible technological transformation…reports Asian Lite News
Global leaders, innovators and cultural pioneers have hailed the UAE’s bold vision and global leadership at BRIDGE Summit 2025, praising President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for guiding the nation to the forefront of future media, technology and cultural exchange.
Their remarks formed a powerful chorus of appreciation for Abu Dhabi’s role as a stabilising force, a centre of innovation, and a platform capable of convening the world’s most influential minds to shape the next era of global communication.
Throughout the summit, speakers repeatedly underlined that BRIDGE is not merely an event, but a new global architecture for dialogue and collaboration. Its unique model brings creators, investors, policymakers, technologists, cultural leaders and media institutions into one shared space—breaking down silos and enabling cross-continental conversations that rarely occur elsewhere.
Many described the inaugural edition as “exceptional by every measure”, crediting the UAE’s leadership for setting the conditions that allow such ambitious convening to take shape.
Macky Sall, Former President of Senegal and Chair of the Board of the Global Centre on Adaptation, said the summit reflected the UAE’s long-standing role as a global connector. He praised Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for carrying forward the founding vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, calling Abu Dhabi the natural home for a summit focused on transparency, ethics and the responsible development of digital networks and artificial intelligence.
He pointed to the Abrahamic Family House as a symbol of the UAE’s commitment to dialogue between cultures and faiths, emphasising that the nation is “well placed to serve as a platform for Bridge to the entire world”.
Regional and international figures echoed that sentiment, citing the UAE’s organisational excellence, its future-focused leadership and its unparalleled ability to convene top-tier talent.
Richard Attias, Strategic Adviser to the Chairman of the BRIDGE Alliance, compared the UAE’s leadership model to that of a global company, driven by clarity of purpose and efficient execution. “This summit reflects the strength of the UAE’s vision,” he said, noting that everything the country undertakes leaves “a positive, cross-border imprint”.
Renowned comedian and commentator Bassem Youssef said the summit’s professionalism and attention to detail were evident throughout, calling his participation “a source of genuine pride”. Dr Michael Piwowar of the Milken Institute highlighted the maturity and professionalism of the UAE’s regulatory institutions, saying they create the right environment for global investment conversations and landmark events such as BRIDGE.
Leaders in technology and artificial intelligence also described the UAE as a centre for responsible innovation. Kristine Mo of AI² Robotics praised the scale and ambition of the summit, noting its ability to unite diverse sectors and nationalities.
David Ford, a media consultant, said the UAE demonstrated an organisational capability matched by few countries worldwide, turning BRIDGE into an anchor point for the future of global media.
Tim De Lanoy, Founder and CEO of Clover Tech, described BRIDGE as the first platform to genuinely break down barriers between industries. “This is the essence of BRIDGE,” he said. “Building bridges of communication, exchange and cooperation—reflecting the vision of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.” His colleague Amit Amin added that the UAE has become a pivotal hub linking technological advancement with a culture of innovation.
AI leaders amplified that message. Prabhu Narasimhan, CEO of Brahma AI, said the UAE is uniquely positioned to become a global safety vault for ethical and secure digital content. With the infrastructure of the West and the dynamism of the East, he said, the UAE has the ability to draw talent from both spheres and accelerate responsible technological development.
Chris Jacquemin of WME highlighted the importance of BRIDGE as a platform for new creative voices, calling it a rare opportunity to turn conversations about the future into concrete action.
Antoine Challita, UAE Country Head at Snap Inc., said the summit allowed next-generation AR technologies to be showcased in the region and celebrated the UAE’s leadership in creativity and digital innovation.
