The 16th ASEAN Information Ministers Meeting will take place from September 20-23 in Da Nang.

(Chinhphu.vn) - From September 20-23, in Da Nang City, the Ministry of Information and Communications will organize the 16th ASEAN Information Ministers' Meeting, the 7th ASEAN+3 Information Ministers' Meeting, and related senior officials' meetings. The event is expected to attract approximately 100-150 international delegates and 250-300 Vietnamese delegates.

Overview of the press conference. Photo: VGP/Minh Trang

On the afternoon of September 18th, in Da Nang City, the Ministry of Information and Communications held a press conference regarding the 16th ASEAN Ministers of Information and Communications Meeting (AMRI 16) and related conferences.

According to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam, Vietnam chose the theme "Communication: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Adaptable ASEAN" as the overarching theme throughout the entire agenda. The theme highlights the role and mission of the communication sector in the new era, making information a driving force for development, not only providing information but also promoting the transformation from "information" to "knowledge," to build a resilient ASEAN, strengthening its internal capacity, resilience, and adaptability to affirm ASEAN's role and position—not only inward-looking but also ready to respond to the changes in the current global situation.

Within the framework of the week-long event, there are three main activities. Firstly, the 16th AMRI Ministerial Meeting, which serves as a forum for ASEAN information ministers to discuss and provide direction to promote cooperation among ASEAN countries in the fields of press, radio and television, the internet (social media, websites, internet-based media), and raising awareness about ASEAN.

Secondly, the 7th AMRI+3 Conference is a forum for ministers responsible for information from ASEAN countries and the three dialogue partners (China, South Korea, and Japan) to discuss initiatives, priorities, directions, and promote cooperation with partner countries in the field of information.

Thirdly, there are the 20th SOMRI Conference and SOMRI+3, SOMRI+ Japan Conference, which are meetings of senior officials in charge of information from ASEAN countries and dialogue partners to discuss the contents to be submitted to the AMRI and AMRI+3 Conferences.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam speaks at the press conference. Photo: VGP/Minh Trang

In addition, forums and workshops will be held, including the ASEAN Regional Forum on Responding to and Addressing Misinformation in Cyberspace, creating an open exchange space between government agencies, the press, cross-border platforms, and stakeholders to affirm ASEAN countries' determination to combat the harmful effects of fake news, aiming towards ASEAN's common efforts to build a healthy and trustworthy information space for its people.

The ASEAN Workshop on Digital Transformation in Journalism - Creating Digital Knowledge brought together participants to share experiences and insights on strategies and best practices in promoting and guiding media organizations towards sustainable digital transformation, in the context of digital transformation becoming an inevitable trend in the information industry.

In addition to the official meetings, side activities at the event included: Bilateral working sessions between countries; an ASEAN photo exhibition; an online experience zone for ASEAN films/photos (ASEAN Identity platform, Vietnam.vn national portal); a booth for Da Nang and booths for 7 digital technology businesses.

ASEAN cooperation in the field of information and communication is one of 15 areas of cooperation for Vietnam within the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar, managed and directed by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Information.

Assisting AMRI is the Senior Officials in Charge of Information (SOMRI) mechanism and three specialized working groups on digital broadcasting, content and production, and information, communication and training. In addition, there is the ASEAN Information Sub-Committee within the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information to review, guide, and implement specific collaborations.

According to the rules agreed upon by ASEAN, the AMRI Conference takes place every two years, with ASEAN member states taking turns chairing and hosting the conference. Fulfilling its membership obligations and the rotation rules within ASEAN, Vietnam will assume the AMRI chairmanship from Thailand for the period 2023-2025.

Minh Trang

Chinhphu.vn