16th AMRI and its Related Meetings: MoI Union Minister attends the meetings in Danang, Viet Nam

The 16th ASEAN Ministers’ Responsible for Information (16th AMRI) and its related meetings kicked off at the Furama Resort Danang in Vietnam on September 22nd, with the Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn in attendance.

The meeting opened with the ASEAN Commemorative song. Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Danang Head, Central Executive Committee member Vietnamese Vice President Mdm. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vietnamese Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister delivered speeches respectively.

This was followed by screening a video clip and staging entertainment programs. The 16th AMRI then continued with greetings extended by the Thai representative, who had previously hosted the meeting.

Afterwards, the Alternate Chair of the meeting, Vietnamese Minister Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, gave an opening remark, and the Vice Chair from Brunei Darussalam extended greetings.

The host, Vietnam, then introduced the theme of the 16th AMRI: "Media: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Responsive ASEAN." In regard to the theme, Regional Information Ministers and officials of the ASEAN Secretariat discussed their insights, and ASEAN Information Ministers, including Myanmar, also discussed the theme.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn expressed his high appreciation for selecting the said theme by the host, Vietnam, and said that all will share the same insights as the motto of ASEAN, "One Vision, One Identity, One Community."

The Union Minister shared the current implementations of Myanmar and efforts for COVID-19 treatment, prevention, and control measures in a timely manner, rescue, and rapid response measures for cyclone MOCHA that hit Rakhine and Chin State of Myanmar on May 14th. He expressed thanks for the generous contributions and assistance of friendly nations and ASEAN friends.

The Union Minister also pointed out that, in comparison with the past, the flow of media is now incredibly fast thanks to the internet. At the same time, it is recognized that technology and digital innovation are rapidly reshaping the media landscape.

AI algorithms have the ability to generate highly realistic fake content. In building a digital media environment that strengthens the resilience and responsiveness of societies and nurtures trust among citizens, Myanmar fully supports the importance of ASEAN collaboration and synergy and also strongly supports the meaningful theme, selected by the host, Vietnam.

In conclusion, the Union Minister said Myanmar will cooperate with a strong commitment to promoting media development. After that, the reports on decisions and recommendations of the 19th and 20th Senior Officials Meetings Responsible for Information (SOMRI) were reported and approved, and the progress of the Strategic Plan for Information and Media (2016 – 2025) was reported.

This was followed by the launch of the cooperation program with ASEAN dialogue partners. The Chair of SOMRI, Vietnam, read out the approval of the finals of the Work Plan on Enhancing ASEAN-China Cooperation through Information and Media (2018-2024) and reported progress and implementations of ASEAN-COCI on the Information sector.

During the meeting, the goals of AMRI’s ASEAN 2030 statement, Da Nang declaration, TBC on combating fake news and disinformation, work plans of ASEAN Task Force on Fake News (TFFN), extension of the Work Plan on Enhancing ASEAN-China Cooperation through Information and Media (2018-2024), and Work Plan on Enhancing ASEAN+3 Cooperation through Information and Media (2018-2023) and joint statements of the 16th AMRI and related meetings were discussed and approved. It is learned that Brunei will assume the role of the host country for the 17th AMRI and related meetings.

In the evening, Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn met with Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee of China, Mr. Sun Yeli, and discussed matters on strategic and multilateral cooperation between the two countries, promoting cooperation in the media sector, proposed projects under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, projects to be implemented with 4 billion yuan assistance, projects under the Mekong-Lancang cooperation program, projects proposed to the ASEAN-China Center, and projects to be implemented with China’s assistance, including the Art Center, Red Carpet Theater, and Community Centers.

In a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, they discussed matters on promoting bilateral friendship and cooperation, exchange of information according to the MOU on cooperation in the information sector, and conducting capacity-building training for human resource development in the media sector.

In the afternoon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information U Myo Myint Maung met with the Director-General of Philippine Information Agency Mr. Jose A. Torres, Jr., and discussed cooperation in the media and information sector.

At night, the Myanmar delegation attended a dinner reception in honor of the 16th AMRI, hosted by Vietnam.