The Regional Forum on Media and Information Literacy wrapped up in Muscat, Oman, following three days of discussions held from October 6 to 8, 2025, under the theme: Empowering Minds in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. The event was organized by the Omani Ministry of Education, represented by the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, in cooperation with the Omani Ministry of Information, and in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

The Forum aimed to raise awareness of the concept of Media and Information Literacy (MIL), highlight the role of international organizations in empowering users to understand their digital rights, and promote responsible and ethical media behavior. It also addressed current digital challenges and underscored the importance of national and regional policies in supporting media awareness.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Harrasi, Omani Minister of Information; Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education and Chairperson of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science; and Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Harthi, Chairperson of the Media Committee at the Shura Council.

During the event, Dr. Zaid Abu Shama’a, Supervisor of the Media Department at ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector, outlined ICESCO’s strategy for promoting media education. He explained that the Organization’s approach is participatory, respects the specific contexts of Member States, and focuses on providing practical solutions tailored to their needs and cultural and social settings.

Dr. Abu Shama’a emphasized that ICESCO’s Media and Communication Sector views media education as a strategic gateway to empowering individuals and communities to address emerging challenges such as misinformation, hate speech, and the digital divide. He also stressed the Organization’s efforts in this field and its upcoming initiatives, most notably the preparation of a specialized guide on media education that is attuned to the particularities of the Islamic world.

As part of the Forum’s activities, ICESCO’s representative conducted a workshop titled: Discover the Truth Yourself, which aimed to equip participants with skills to verify news and images using simple digital tools. He also delivered an address during the Forum’s closing session on the ethics of using AI in research, academia, and journalism.

The Forum targeted teachers, supervisors, curriculum designers, academics, and students in media-related fields, as well as journalists and editors from various media outlets, and communication and media professionals from public, private, and civil society institutions.