VIENTIANE, 25 November 2024 – The 8th ASEAN Media Forum (AMF) convened today in Vientiane, Lao PDR, highlighting the pivotal role of media in advancing ASEAN’s regional integration.
Under the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” the AMF, organised by the ASEAN Secretariat with the support from the German Federal Government through GIZ, brought together over 30 media leaders from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste to exchange views and perspectives on some of the timely geopolitical issues confronting ASEAN.
In his pre-recorded keynote remarks, Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn emphasised the importance of accurate and timely information in fostering a deeper understanding of ASEAN’s goals and achievements.
‘’As we advance our community-building process, it is crucial to foster a sense of belonging among our peoples. Clear communication about what regional integration means—and what it doesn’t—is essential to accurately inform our stakeholders. This underscores the importance of collaboration between the ASEAN Secretariat and the media in raising awareness, promoting understanding, and addressing misconceptions about the ASEAN integration agenda,’’ he underlined.
In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao PDR, Phosy Keomanivong, highlighted the significance of this forum as a testament to ASEAN’s shared vision for a more connected and resilient region. ‘’Today’s event is a tribute to our shared vision for a more connected and resilient ASEAN, reflecting our theme of the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024. This forum is a meaningful part of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan 2018–2025, providing a media stage for all ASEAN spokespersons, particularly the ASEAN Chair.’’
The media participants were engaged over two panel discussion sessions featuring intellects and scholars on ‘’ASEAN Connectivity – Achievements and Prospects’’ and ‘’4 decades of Mekong Sub-Region’s Development’’ respectively.
The first panel, which included Director Lim Chze Cheen of the ASEAN Secretariat’s Connectivity Division; Dr Mirza Sadaqat Huda, Lead Researcher, Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute; Ambassador Mark Gallagher, European Union Ambassador to Lao PDR, and Dr Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of the Mekong Institute, examined the progress, challenges and prospects of ASEAN regional connectivity.
All four panellists, in principle, concurred that ASEAN, home to more than 650 million people, is a region filled with vast opportunities. By having stronger infrastructures to connect ASEAN, as guided by the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, the region would create a regional network of people and infrastructure to improve the way the ASEAN people live, work and travel.
The second panel, which featured Asst Prof Sineenat Sermcheep, Director of ASEAN Studies Center, Chulalongkorn University; Shameer Khanal Cooperation Area Lead ASEAN of GIZ, Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy, of Lao PDR and Azhar Jaimurzina Ducrest, Chief, Transport Connectivity and Logistics Section of the United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, delved into the significant strides made in the Mekong sub-regional development in the past 40 years, through capacity building assistance from international development partners like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), especially in economic cooperation through areas like agriculture, energy, environment, health, human resource development, information and communication technology, tourism, transport, and urban development.
The 8th AMF concluded with the Conversation with ASEAN Chair, featuring Director General Chatoulong Bouasisavath of the ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR. Besides highlighting Lao PDR’s achievements during its ASEAN Chairmanship, DG Chatoulong took the opportunity to update the AMF participants on the ASEAN post-2025 vision for the region. He also held an insightful Q&A session with the participants and provided clarities to their queries.
