SAARC Secretary-General Joins 200 Media Leaders for Asia Media Summit in Maldives

SAARC Secretary-General Golam Sarwar has arrived in the Maldives to participate in the Asia Media Summit (AMS), a premier gathering of broadcasting and media leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region. Welcomed at Velana International Airport by Public Service Media (PSM) Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb and Chairperson Aminath Namza, Sarwar joins a growing list of international delegates. Among the arrivals is Expedito Loro Dias Ximenes, the State Secretary for Social Communications of Timor-Leste. Scheduled from May 11 to 14 at Villa Nautica, the summit is organized by PSM in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD). Under the theme “Maldives 2.0: From Tradition to Tech,” the event expects to host more than 200 senior representatives specializing in media regulation and broadcasting. The summit kicks off on May 11 with a series of specialized workshops. These sessions will tackle the critical intersection of technology and journalism, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence in storytelling and news production. Experts will discuss the evolution of AI technologies and the urgent need to maintain public trust in digital media during an era of rapid automation. Beyond technology, the agenda emphasizes the media's pivotal role in driving climate change awareness—a topic of existential importance to the Maldivian archipelago. Following the official opening ceremony on May 12, the summit will move into plenary sessions on May 12 and 13, where delegates will outline regional media goals and strengthen inter-country cooperation. The event will conclude on May 14 with a practical commitment to environmental stewardship through a special coral planting activity at Kudagiri. By blending high-level policy discussions with tangible ecological action, the summit aims to foster responsible media practices while addressing the unique challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.