The Maldives welcomed distinguished international delegates as the island nation prepares to host one of Asia's most significant gatherings of broadcasting professionals.
The President of the General Conference of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Sudruetai Lertkasem, has arrived in the Maldives to participate in the Asia Media Summit.
Arriving in the Maldives to attend the summit, AIBD General Conference President and Director-General of Thailand’s Government Public Relations Department (PRD), Sudruetai Lertkasem, was welcomed at Velana International Airport by PSM Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb and AIBD CEO Philomena Gnanapragasam.
Subsequently, Gaurav Dwivedi, Chief Executive Officer of India's public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati, and Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), arrived at Velana International Airport (VIA) to participate in the upcoming Asia Media Summit. The delegates were received by Public Service Media (PSM) Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb and Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) Chief Executive Officer Philomena Gnapragasam.
This year's Asia Media Summit, running from 11 to 14 May at the Villa Nautica Resort, carries the thematic banner "Maldives 2.0 from Tradition to Tech," reflecting the region's ongoing transformation in broadcasting technology and content delivery. The summit has drawn more than 200 delegates from across the Asia Pacific region, representing the highest levels of broadcasting management and leadership. These officials will convene to address critical challenges facing the industry, discuss responsible and generational broadcasting practices, and establish new development goals that will shape the future of media across the region.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 12 May, with plenary sessions continuing through 13 May. Pre-summit workshops have already commenced at several venues, including the Manhattan Business Hotel, Hulhule' Island Hotel, and Villa Nautica, providing participants with specialised training and collaborative opportunities ahead of the main proceedings. The summit will conclude on 14 May with a distinctive coral planting event at Kudagiri Picnic Island.
Organised by PSM in association with the AIBD, the Asia Media Summit represents one of the largest regional meetings of broadcasters from Asian countries. The gathering serves as a vital platform for strengthening bilateral relations in the broadcasting sector while enabling delegates to share best practices, explore technological innovations, and develop coordinated approaches to serving their respective audiences in an increasingly digital media environment.