The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), represented by its Director General, Engineer Abdelrahim Suleiman, participated in the 12th Global Video Media Forum on December 3rd 2024, in Quanzhou, southeastern China's Fujian province. Hosted by the China Media Group (CMG) and themed "Intelligence Without Frontiers, Vision Beyond the Horizon -- Media's Role in Communication and Cultural Exchange", the forum explores the application and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the media. It aims to establish new exchange platforms through intelligent communication and co-create a promising future for digital civilizations in the Global South. The two-day forum brought together around 200 representatives from 87 media organizations across more than 60 countries.
In his speech, Engineer Suleiman highlighted the significance of the forum's theme, given the current global climate marked by conflicts and wars, which compels the media to play a crucial role in peacebuilding. He expressed confidence that audiovisual media worldwide, especially public broadcasters, can build bridges of friendship and dialogue between different cultures. He further noted that through dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and equal engagement with all cultures in a spirit of openness and respect for differences, we can collectively build a world of peace, fraternity, and prosperity.
He also stated that ASBU, which pursues an approach of openness to its regional and global surroundings, has focused on building bridges of cooperation and partnerships with this dynamic and diverse environment. International cooperation with its member organizations, particularly China Media Group, as well as regional and international organizations, has become one of the key pillars of its work.
Additionally, Engineer Suleiman emphasized the fruitful cooperation between ASBU and several Chinese audiovisual institutions, especially China Media Group, in various fields such as communication, experience exchange, the application of artificial intelligence in media, and joint productions. He explained that this cooperation is part of ASBU's efforts to enhance media, cultural, and civilizational communication with other regions in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and to strengthen collaboration through agreements and joint initiatives in areas such as event coverage, joint radio and TV productions, and training programs.
.jpg)
The forum has yielded many significant outcomes including the release of a joint initiative and media cooperation mechanism which ASBU joined. This initiative aims to:
• Promote joint progress among media in the Global South, enhance the power of discourse for these countries, and consolidate efforts to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
• Encourage media in the Global South to expand cultural exchange paths collectively while respecting differences, exchange experiences in preserving civilizations, and contribute to creating a new model for global cultural exchange and strengthening human bonds.
• Urge media in the Global South to adhere to principles of objectivity, truth, and balance, defend professional ethics, embrace technological innovation, combat fake narratives, and provide an objective and unbiased voice for the Global South in order to reshape the international public opinion system based on justice and rationality.
.jpg)
During the forum, ASBU's Director-General also held a media meeting with the Arabic channel of China Global Television Network, during which he specifically noted that artificial intelligence technology provides greater opportunities for media collaboration. He expressed the expectation that this technology would further strengthen cooperation between Arab and Chinese media.
.png)