The Center for Media and Dialogue (CMD) is proud to officially announce the CMD Awards 2026, one of the most anticipated international events dedicated to recognizing and celebrating outstanding Somali individuals whose achievements continue to inspire communities around the world.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, 21 August 2026, at Calas Palace Party Center, Calandstraat 111, 3125 BA Schiedam, The Netherlands, bringing together distinguished guests from across Europe, Somalia, and the global Somali diaspora.

Building on the remarkable success of the previous editions, CMD Awards 2026 promises to be our largest, most prestigious, and most impactful event to date.

A Celebration of Excellence

The CMD Awards was established with a clear vision: to recognize Somalis whose hard work, dedication, innovation, and leadership have made a positive difference in society.

For many years, the Somali community has produced remarkable leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, athletes, journalists, artists, and public servants whose stories often receive limited international recognition. CMD believes these achievements deserve to be celebrated, not only to honor those who have earned them but also to inspire future generations.

By recognizing positive role models, the CMD Awards encourages young people to pursue education, entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and community service. Every award presented represents a story of determination, resilience, and success that inspires others to believe in their own potential.

A Growing International Platform

Since its launch, the CMD Awards has grown into one of the most respected Somali recognition platforms in Europe.

The 2024 and 2025 editions welcomed hundreds of guests and brought together government officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, media professionals, academics, athletes, business leaders, and members of the Somali community from across Europe.

Previous ceremonies honored internationally respected individuals from a wide range of sectors, including law, business, sports, media, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. These events demonstrated that excellence exists in every field and that recognizing achievement strengthens communities by encouraging others to strive for success.

Each edition has attracted growing attention from international media, community organizations, and institutions, helping establish CMD Awards as a respected platform for celebrating Somali achievement worldwide.

What to Expect in 2026

CMD Awards 2026 will build on this strong foundation by bringing together more than 300 invited guests, including senior government officials, ambassadors, diplomats, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, media representatives, sports personalities, community leaders, and distinguished members of the Somali diaspora.

The evening will feature:

• Presentation of the CMD High Achievers Awards to outstanding Somali individuals.
• Recognition of excellence across multiple professional fields.
• Inspiring keynote speeches from distinguished guests.
• Networking opportunities between business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community organizations.
• Cultural performances celebrating Somali heritage and creativity.
• Professional media coverage reaching audiences across Europe, Africa, and the wider Somali diaspora.

The event is designed not only to celebrate success but also to strengthen relationships, encourage collaboration, and promote a positive image of Somali talent on the international stage.

Welcoming Our Special Guest: Mr. Omar Abdulkadir Artan

CMD is especially honored to announce that Mr. Omar Abdulkadir Artan, one of Somalia’s most accomplished international football referees, will attend CMD Awards 2026 as our Special Guest.

Mr. Artan has earned international recognition through his professionalism, integrity, and outstanding performances as a football referee. His achievements have made him one of Africa’s most respected referees and a source of pride for Somalia on the global sporting stage.

His journey demonstrates what dedication, discipline, and perseverance can accomplish. Through years of hard work, he has represented Somalia with distinction in major international football competitions and has become a role model for aspiring referees and young athletes across Africa.

During the ceremony, CMD will proudly present Mr. Omar Abdulkadir Artan with the CMD High Achievers Award in recognition of his exceptional contribution to international football and his role in promoting Somali excellence worldwide.

We are delighted to welcome him to the Netherlands and look forward to celebrating his remarkable achievements alongside our distinguished guests.

Honoring Outstanding Somali Achievement

The CMD High Achievers Awards recognize individuals whose work has made a meaningful contribution to society in areas such as:

• Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Business
• Education
• Sports
• Journalism and Media
• Innovation
• Public Service
• Arts and Culture
• Community Development
• Humanitarian Service

Each recipient is carefully selected based on their achievements, integrity, leadership, and the positive impact they have created within their profession and community.

The awards celebrate not only personal success but also the inspiration these individuals provide to future generations.

Bringing Communities Together

CMD Awards is more than an awards ceremony.

It is a platform that brings together people from different backgrounds, professions, and countries to celebrate shared values of excellence, unity, respect, and community development.

By creating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration, the event strengthens relationships between professionals, businesses, institutions, and community organizations while encouraging partnerships that continue beyond the ceremony itself.

This unique gathering reflects CMD’s commitment to building stronger communities through recognition, cooperation, and positive engagement.

International Reach

CMD Awards 2026 will receive extensive coverage through television, online media, news websites, and social media platforms, allowing the event to reach audiences across Europe, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and wherever Somali communities live around the world.

This international visibility provides an opportunity to highlight Somali success stories, promote positive role models, and showcase the achievements of individuals whose work deserves global recognition.

Looking Ahead

As preparations continue for CMD Awards 2026, excitement continues to grow among invited guests, partners, sponsors, and members of the Somali community around the world.

The Center for Media and Dialogue remains committed to organizing an event that reflects professionalism, excellence, and the highest standards of quality. Every edition of the CMD Awards is an opportunity to recognize achievement, inspire young people, strengthen community connections, and celebrate the remarkable individuals who continue to make a positive difference.

We look forward to welcoming our distinguished guests to Schiedam on Friday, 21 August 2026, for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.

Together, we will celebrate excellence, inspire communities, and continue building a brighter future for generations to come.