Promoting the role of the information sector in the ASEAN development process

On the morning of September 22, the opening ceremony of the 16th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Information (AMRI-16) took place in Da Nang . The conference was hosted by Vietnam, with the participation of 9 ASEAN member countries, Timor-Leste (invited as an observer) and 3 partner countries including Japan, South Korea, and China. The theme throughout the entire content of the conference is "Media: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Responsive ASEAN".

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, VicePresident of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, said: The Declaration of the 43rd ASEAN Summit has provided orientations for building the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, developing a self-reliant, creative, dynamic and people-centered community, capable of seizing opportunities, solving emerging issues and challenges in the future. At the same time, it sets out the task of consolidating identity, enhancing solidarity and unity within ASEAN. In that development process, along with the major trends of the times, cooperation in press and media information plays an important role, aiming to connect and spread values in the ASEAN community.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan emphasized that participating in the common development process, Vietnam attaches special importance to the field of information and communication. On April 6, 2023, the Prime Minister of Vietnam approved the Strategy for Digital Transformation of the Press to 2025, with a vision to 2030, aiming to build a professional, humane, and modern press agency through the application of advanced technology in press activities, developing digital platforms, and enriching the digital press ecosystem with new and superior features, helping to improve the quality and effectiveness of communication, and strengthening Vietnam's connection with the international community.

According to Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, the world is in a period of great change, information is resonated by technology and the Internet, making the speed of dissemination and the level of influence take place on a global scale, affecting both positively and negatively. Therefore, cooperation to promote timely and accurate access to information based on digital capacity, turning information into knowledge to support businesses, improve people's livelihoods and lives, and minimize the impact of negative information is an urgent need today, at the national, regional and international levels, including ASEAN.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan affirmed that the ASEAN Information Ministers Meeting is an important forum for member countries and other countries to dialogue, exchange and identify priorities and directions for cooperation in the coming time, joining hands to successfully implement the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the priorities of the ASEAN Community. Ministers and delegates shared and made valuable recommendations to the ASEAN Summit; agreed on specific action programs to continue to affirm and further promote the important role of the information sector in the ASEAN development process; and turn information into knowledge for the people as the theme of this year's Conference "Communication: From information to knowledge for a resilient and adaptive ASEAN".

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hopes that the Conference will focus on discussing a number of solutions to promote digital transformation; improve Internet access and digital skills for people; enhance the promotion of the image of ASEAN and its member countries; promote official and positive information; handle fake news; pay attention to rural, remote and isolated areas and facilities to serve people, ensuring that knowledge is widely spread and no one is left behind.

ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Ekkaphab Phanthavong said that as ASEAN emerges from the pandemic, the information and communications sector plays a vital and cross-cutting role in promoting the ASEAN Community vision. The fruitful discussions of SOMRI and the Ministerial discussion on “Communications: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Responsive ASEAN” will add momentum to regional cooperation and strategic directions towards social, sustainable and inclusive development.

According to comrade Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Information and Communications of Vietnam, the information and communications sector must transform from simply providing information and news to providing knowledge and understanding to people, helping them survive in a volatile, unpredictable, complex and ambiguous world.

According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, social networks must become social networks of information, knowledge and understanding. Digital technology, especially artificial intelligence, is ready to create knowledge and understanding from information. However, ASEAN leaders in information and communications must lead this process. The AMRI-16 Ministers of Information proudly declared the new mission of communications to create knowledge and understanding from information, thereby empowering people, helping them to be confident, master their destiny and be happy./.

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