On the morning of September 22, in Da Nang City, the 16th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Information (AMRI) officially opened.

Attending the opening ceremony of the Conference were Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan; Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung; ministers and heads of delegations from ASEAN member countries, dialogue countries (China, Japan, South Korea), observer country (Timor Leste), and representatives of relevant ministries, departments and sectors of Vietnam...

Cooperation and exchange are the core of ASEAN.

In his opening speech, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung shared that cooperation and exchange are the core values ​​of ASEAN. And it is thanks to this spirit that ASEAN has become the center of growth in the world.

According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung , in a volatile and unpredictable world like today, too much information can also cause confusion, insecurity, doubt, and loss of trust. The media now needs to bring new knowledge to help us adapt quickly, to use new technology for development and cooperation goals, to bring positive energy, and to nurture faith in a peaceful and prosperous future for ASEAN and the world.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung shared that ASEAN has become the center of growth in the world.

The 2023 ASEAN Summit, held in Indonesia on September 5, adopted a declaration on sustainable and resilient development, affirming the need to “overcome challenges through knowledge and information sharing, technical assistance, resource mobilization and capacity building initiatives.

This year's ASEAN Information Ministers Meeting unanimously chose the theme "Communications: From information to knowledge for a responsive and resilient ASEAN". To respond quickly to change, we must quickly find new knowledge from change. To be resilient and recover from a major collision or disaster, we must be equipped with new knowledge. Therefore, the information and communication sector must transform from simply providing information and news to providing knowledge and understanding to people to help them survive in a volatile, unpredictable, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world.

Prior to this conference, based on Vietnam’s initiative, ASEAN countries organized two forums to promote cooperation in digital transformation of journalism and fight against fake news. ASEAN countries considered this a priority in their information cooperation plan and focused discussions at the AMRI 16 Conference.

The 16th ASEAN Ministers on Information Meeting opens in Da Nang.

The head of the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications added that social networks are currently important platforms for creating and sharing information. Digital platforms need to become platforms for creating and sharing useful knowledge for people. Social networks must become social networks of information, knowledge and understanding. Digital technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), is ready to create knowledge and understanding from information. However, ASEAN information and communications leaders must lead this process. Knowledge and understanding will create a peaceful, developed, prosperous and happy ASEAN...

“Humans are creating ever more powerful technologies. But technology has the power to destroy as much as it has the power to develop. Therefore, the ethical aspect of technology, the responsible use of technology, as well as the social responsibility of media platforms, need to be emphasized more than ever. And this is also the responsibility of the ASEAN information and communications sector.

“ASEAN’s information and communications sector is taking on a new mission, proactively opening up new spaces, to jointly contribute to building a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN community. It is a shift from information to knowledge and understanding. Leading this shift and succeeding in this new mission will be the contribution of ASEAN countries to the world’s information and communications sector,” Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized.

Turn information into knowledge to improve people's lives

Speaking at the conference, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said that since joining ASEAN in 1995, with the motto of “active, proactive and responsible”, Vietnam has made many important contributions, helping to maintain solidarity, unity and consolidate the central role of the Association. Participating in the common development process, Vietnam also attaches special importance to the field of information and communication.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said that Vietnam attaches special importance to the field of information and communication.

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.

Therefore, this conference is an important forum for member countries and other countries to dialogue, exchange and determine priorities and cooperation directions in the coming time...

From there, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan proposed that the conference 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 the people, ensuring that knowledge is widely spread and no one is left behind.

Delegates take souvenir photos.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Ekkaphab Phanthavong, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, said that with the ASEAN region emerging after the pandemic, the information and communication sector plays an important and consistent role in promoting the ASEAN community vision.

The fruitful discussions of SOMRI and the Ministerial discussion on the theme of Communication: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Adaptive ASEAN will add momentum to regional cooperation and strategic directions, towards social, sustainable and inclusive development.

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