Muscat:The 14th Middle East Strategic Communications Conference, known as 'MESTEC 2026,' commenced today at the Civil Aviation Authority headquarters in Muscat. The two-day event, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman for the third time, focuses on the latest methods and strategies in media, public relations, marketing, and communication.
According to Oman News Agency, the conference features participation from academics, experts, and decision-makers in strategic communication from the Gulf region and the Arab world. Organized and supervised by the Gulf Center for Strategic Communications (GSC), the event is a significant platform for discussing the latest theories and concepts in media strategies, international and public relations, and soft power communication.
Dr. Tarik Khalifa Al Shammari, Chairman of the Council on Arab and International Relations (CARINTIR), President of GSC, and Chairman of the Conference, highlighted the role of the Sultanate of Oman in hosting conferences that address modern philosophies of strategic communication. He expressed the aspiration for Muscat to become a permanent venue for the 'MESTEC' conference and a capital of Arab media.
The conference sessions will address topics such as the fundamentals and tools of impactful strategic communication, including media, public relations, soft power, international relations, marketing, crisis management, and counter-campaign strategies. Themes will also cover communication in various fields like economic, security, health, social, political, cultural, and tourism.
Dr. Mohammed Mustafa Al Najjar, Director General of Training at the Ministry of Labor, stated that the conference aims to explore the latest practices in strategic communication, emphasizing the importance of modern practices and advanced technologies in enhancing institutional and human resource performance.
Additionally, the CARINTIR Journalism and Media Awards were announced during the conference for individuals who have made notable contributions to Gulf and Arab media, as nominated by the Arab Association for Journalism and Media at CARINTIR (ARABRESS).