Pictured: Fawzi Abdulaziz Aljaberi – Director of Department of Intellectual Works, UAE Ministry of Economy, Department of Trademarks and Intellectual Works; Moe Hamzeh (General Manager, Warner Music Middle East); Patrick Boulos (CEO, Universal Music MENA); HE Abdulaziz Alnuaimi – Deputy Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Economy, Business Affairs Regulation Sector; Frances Moore (General Manager, IFPI), Rawan Al-Dabbas (Regional Manager, IFPI MENA); Fatima Khalaf Alhousany- Director of Trademarks Department, UAE Ministry of Economy, Trademarks and Intellectual Works Department; Mike Fairburn (Managing Director, Sony Music Middle East)
IFPI and the UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE) have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding to support the continued growth of the recorded music presence in the UAE.
This agreement is the first of its kind for the region. It outlines the basics for the Ministry of Education, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and its associated record labels operating in the United Arab Emirates to come together, promote and protect music and its value, support local artists and develop a sustainable musical ecosystem. in the UAE.
Abdulaziz Al-Nuaimi, Deputy Undersecretary for Commercial Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy, said of the MoU: “There is a saying that the future has already happened, unfolding a day at a time. We believe that the partnership with IFPI and its members will develop the future of the music industry in the same way, day by day. Among other areas included in the MoU, collective management is just the beginning to fuel the economic potential of the creative economy of the UAE and the region.
The MoU outlines several ways in which the MoE, IFPI and record labels operating across the UAE will collaborate, such as sharing relevant information and data, creating a framework for copyright in accordance with international standards and the application of the rights of record producers.
Frances Moore, Managing Director of IFPI, added: “This is a very exciting time for the music industry in the UAE and the MoU is an important next step to ensure its future growth. We look forward to working closely with the Ministry of Economy in a number of areas to support the development of the industry in a long-term sustainable way. Our priority is to develop an official music licensing company that will license the use of recordings for broadcast and public performance under UAE law.
The memorandum was signed at the meeting of the IFPI Global Principal Council, held this month in Abu Dhabi. Senior executives from IFPI and global record labels, both leading and independent, discussed the rapid growth and evolution of the music industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA ). Recorded music market revenue in the MENA region grew by 35% in 2021, with more than 95% from streaming, making it the fastest growing region in the world.
Rawan Al-Dabbas, IFPI’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, concludes: “This marks a truly important moment that will boost the development of a strong environment for recorded music in the UAE and will support the next generation of artists here”.
