Wahyu Dwi Anggoro
IDXChannel - This year’s ASEAN Media Forum (AMF) underlined the important role of media in ASEAN regional integration.
The forum, organised by the ASEAN Secretariat with support from the German Federal Government through the Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), was attended by more than 40 ASEAN media leaders.
All media participants agreed to make AMF a credible regional outreach platform that highlights ASEAN’s challenges and potentials, as well as issues affecting the region’s community building efforts.
In his welcome remarks, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn underscored the prominent role of media in enhancing awareness, promoting understanding and correcting misperceptions of ASEAN’s integration agenda within and beyond ASEAN.
“As ASEAN moves towards greater cohesion and integration, a well-informed and engaged people is an asset to the region,” said Dr Kao in a media release on Tuesday (31/10/2023).
Ambassador of Germany to ASEAN Ina Lepel, in her welcome statement, highlighted the valuable role of AMF in promoting exchange of views between ASEAN and the public.
“The AMF has evolved and became the most critical stage to inform regional media outlets on the ASEAN story which needs to be told,” she acknowledged.
The media engaged in two dynamic sessions featuring expert panelists on the ASEAN-Myanmar landscape in 2025 and Timor-Leste’s path to ASEAN membership, respectively.
The first panel consisted of former Secretary-General of ASEAN Tan Sri Ajit Singh, Former Advisor to National Security Council of Thailand Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, and Deputy Director of Asia Research Institute Maitrii Aung-Thwin.
The second panel featured former Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Sayakane Sisouvong, Director of Timor-Leste’s Water Public Utility Company Joao da Cruz Cardoso and research professor at Research Center for Politics-National Research and Innovation Agency Professor Dr Dewi Fortuna Anwar. (WHY)
