The 16^th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and Related Meetings, taking ‘Media: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Responsive ASEAN’ as its theme, officially opened in Da Nang on Friday.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung delivering the opening speech. Photo: M.Q

It was attended by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan; Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of ASEAN Ekkaphab Phanthavong; Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung; Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang, and delegates from ASEAN member states and other countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that it was very honoured for Da Nang to be the host of the 16^th ARMI Conference.

He added the Information and Communications industry is undergoing revolutionary changes, mainly attributed to digital technology.

He, therefore, highlighted the pivotal role of media in bringing new knowledge to help people adapt quickly and use new technology for development and cooperation goals, as well as to bring positive energy to nurture faith in a peaceful and prosperous future for ASEAN and the world.

ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Ekkaphab Phanthavong speaking at the conference. Photo: M.Q

Mr. Hung stressed the need for people to be equipped with new knowledge in order to be able to withstand and recover after a major collision or a disaster. 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, and complex world.

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. Digital technology, especially artificial intelligence, is ready to create knowledge and understanding from information. However, ASEAN information and communication leaders must lead this process, he added.

Before the conference, based on Viet Nam's initiative, ASEAN countries organised two forums to promote cooperation in digital transformation in journalism and the prevention of fake news.

Deputy Secretary General Ekkaphab Phanthavong highly lauded the Vietnamese government for its great efforts in hosting the 16^th AMRI Conference, the 20^th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI), and other related meetings.

He underlined the important and pervasive role of the information and communications industry in promoting the vision of the ASEAN community.

The fruitful discussions of yesterday's SOMRI Conference and today's ministers' discussion will add impetus to regional cooperation and strategic directions towards the sustainable and comprehensive development, he noted.

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang speaking at the conference. Photo: M.Q

On behalf of Da Nang's leaders, Secretary Nguyen Van Quang expressed his honour when Da Nang was chosen as the first locality in Viet Nam to host the ARMI Conference.

He proudly said that Da Nang has been the chosen to organise many major domestic and international events in terms of politics, culture and society, especially the APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW) in November 2017, and international fireworks festival.

He emphasised that, through the conference, Da Nang wishes to spread the image of a beautiful, friendly, safe, dynamic and vibrant city to international partners and friends.

“Da Nang believes that, with the thoughtful and professional organisation of Viet Nam's Ministry of Information and Communications, and the active participation of international delegations, the 16^th ARMI Conference will be a great success, contributing greatly to ASEAN’s cooperation and integration process.

Da Nang is one of three media centers in Viet Nam. Major media, television and press agencies all have representative units in the city, and have made many positive contributions to the development of the Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions in general and the city in particular.

The active operation of press agencies in the area not only conveys news, contributing to political stability, socio-economic development, but also helps raise people's knowledge and meet cultural needs of people.

The press contributes to preserving and promoting traditional values, while opening up the world of information about the global political situation, new development trends, and the movement and strong changes of science and techniques, thereby, bringing a multi-dimensional view, and opening up opportunities to change lives.

One of the solutions to improve the effectiveness of communication work is to promote digital transformation.

Recognising that importance, one of the five priority areas that Da Nang has focused on at present and in the coming time is to develop information technology, electronics and telecommunications industries associated with digital economy, in which special attention has been paid to the establishment and development of digital technology enterprises.

In 2022, the digital economy accounted for 19.7% of the city's GRDP. Da Nang was honoured with the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation (ASOCIO) Smart City Award 2019. It secured its top position in digital transformation in Viet Nam at the municipal and provincial level for three consecutive years from 2020-2022.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan delivering a directive speech. Photo: M.Q

In her remarks at the event, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said that after more than 50 years of formation and development, ASEAN has become one of the regional organisations with comprehensive cooperation, dynamic development and success.

The declaration of the recent 43^rd ASEAN Summit provided direction for building the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with a focus on becoming self-reliant, creative and dynamic towards realising a people-centered ASEAN capable of anticipating opportunities and solving emerging problems and future challenges.

Since it became a member of ASEAN in 1995, with the motto "active, proactive and responsible", Viet Nam has made many important contributions to maintaining solidarity and unity and strengthening its central role. Besides, the country has attached special importance to the field of information and communication. On April 6, 2023, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam approved the Strategy for converting newspaper digital numbers to 2025, with an orientation to 2030.

The strategy aims to build a professional, humane, and modern press agency through the application of advanced technology in journalistic activities, thereby developing digital platforms, and creating a digital journalism ecosystem.

Delegates posing for a group photo at the conference

She highlighted that the 16^th ARMI Conference was an important forum for member states and other countries to dialogue, exchange and determine priorities and directions for cooperation in the coming time, and join hands to successfully implement the United Nations’ millennium goals and the ASEAN Community’s priorities.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan proposed the conference to discuss a number of solutions to promote digital transformation; improve internet access and digital skills for people; strengthen the promotion of the image of ASEAN and its member countries; handle fake and false news; and pay attention to rural, remote and grassroots areas to serve local, ensuring that knowledge is spread widely and no one is left behind.

Reporting by M.QUE - Translating by M.DUNG