The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) represented by its Director General, Eng. Abdelrahim Suleiman, participated in the 15th General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), which took place from September 3rd to 5th, 2024, in Gaborone, Botswana’s capital.
The event was held under the theme: "The Future of African Media Facing the Challenges of New Technologies and Climate Change." It included the participation of representatives from member organizations, regional partner unions, as well as specialists, academics, experts, and content creators.
In his address, Eng. Suleiman conveyed his honor in participating in this significant event organized by one of the ASBU's esteemed partners. He added that cooperation between the Arab and African unions has greatly strengthened in recent years, driven by joint initiatives and projects that reflect a unified vision and shared ambitions across their respective regions.
ASBU Director General emphasized that a key project demonstrating this collaboration is the development and operation of the AUB’s cloud platform in partnership with ASBU, which had previously established its own cloud platform.
The AUB General Assembly offered a valuable opportunity to explore how digital advancements and modern technologies are reshaping the audiovisual media sector. Discussions focused on both the new possibilities and the challenges these technologies present for the industry in Africa. Key topics included Africa’s role in managing and generating metadata for audiovisual content in the age of artificial intelligence, a field that is driving significant changes across audiovisual professions.
Participants discussed ways to develop innovative strategies to meet the changing needs of African audiences in an increasingly digital media environment.
Another key topic at the General Assembly was the impact of climate change and the media’s role in tackling these issues. The discussions highlighted ways to strengthen regional cooperation and international collaboration in raising awareness about climate change. Additionally, there was a focus on training journalists to effectively cover climate-related topics and manage the risks associated with natural disasters.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the AUB MEDIA AWARDS 2024 ceremony took place during the General Assembly, recognizing exceptional achievements in journalism.