By Ahmad Erwan Othman
KOTA TINGGI, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) is confident of providing the best services to local and international media practitioners covering the ASEAN Summit 2025.
Bernama has been appointed as the official media and Coordinator of the International Media Centre (IMC) due to its expertise.
Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said the agency’s vast experience would be utilised to deliver high-quality services to media personnel.
"As the national news agency, Bernama understands all media needs. Therefore, our preparations are tailored to meet their requirements.
"After personally reviewing the preparations today, I believe that, as a media practitioner, the working space we have set up for the IMC is adequate," she told Bernama after inspecting the IMC operations for the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat 2025 and related meetings in Desaru, near here.
The 31st AEM Retreat is the second ministerial-level meeting under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM) in Langkawi last January.
To ensure smooth operations and meet media personnel’s needs, the IMC in Desaru, managed by Bernama, is equipped with workspaces, high-speed internet, an information counter, media interview arrangements with international delegates, and coffee and tea facilities.
As of now, 102 media personnel, comprising local and international journalists, have registered to cover the AEM Retreat, which is attended by over 200 delegates from the 10 ASEAN member states and observer nation Timor-Leste.
As the official media, Bernama will provide comprehensive coverage across all its platforms -- Bernama Wires, Bernama Foto, Bernama TV (Astro 502), Bernama Radio and Bernama Digital.
The AEM Retreat and its related meetings, held in Desaru from Feb 22 to 28, began with the 12th ASEAN Economic Community Working Group (WG-AEC) Meeting on Feb 22-23, followed by the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) Meeting on Feb 24-25.
Next, the Senior Economic Officials’ Preparatory Meeting (Prep-SEOM) will take place from Feb 26-27, while the AEM Retreat will be held on Feb 28, chaired by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
During the retreat, ministers are expected to discuss 18 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) aimed at strengthening regional economic integration, enhancing inclusivity, empowering sustainability, and boosting digital trade across ASEAN.
Malaysia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship on Jan 1, 2025, taking over from Laos, under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability", reflecting the country's aspiration to build a united and prosperous ASEAN.
This marks Malaysia's fifth time as ASEAN Chair after holding the role in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
Founded on Aug 8, 1967, ASEAN currently comprises 10 Southeast Asian nations -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- while Timor-Leste’s full membership is still being processed.
-- BERNAMA
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