Photo: Keo Chandara, Advisor to the Ministry of Information, Cambodia

The Eleventh ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Media Cooperation Forum was held in Kunming, the capital of Southwest China's Yunnan Province, on the afternoon of September 17. Under the theme "Increase Inter-connectivity for Common Development and Shared Benefits," 13 representatives from mainstream media outlets across different countries delivered speeches or keynote speeches centered on this topic. Multiple media guests also engaged in on-site dialogues and exchanges on topics including "Foster New Growth Drivers and Share New Development Opportunities." Keo Chandara, advisor to the Ministry of Information of Cambodia, delivered a keynote speech at the forum. The following is the full text of the speech:

Your excellencies, distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) and the Cambodian media community, it is my distinct honor to address the 11th ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Media Cooperation Forum. I extend my sincere gratitude to the People's Daily for its leadership in convening this vital forum in the magnificent city of Kunming.

This forum is not merely a gathering; it is a crucial platform for building bridges and connecting voices, visions, and shared values. Under the theme of "Increase Inter-connectivity for Common Development and Shared Benefits," we are here to reaffirm the media's indispensable role in fostering understanding, trust, and solidarity among nations. This is particularly vital within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the 10+3 cooperation mechanism.

In an era of rapid global change, the media holds a unique and irreplaceable responsibility to shape narratives that unite, not divide. We are the storytellers who counter misinformation and the truth-seekers who build public trust. Our commitment to factual, balanced, and timely reporting is more essential than ever as we navigate the complexities of polarization and geopolitical uncertainty.

For Cambodia, the Belt and Road Initiative has opened new and significant avenues for connectivity, trade, and cultural exchange, contributing profoundly to our socio-economic development. As a committed partner in this journey, the media plays a pivotal role in ensuring that these stories of cooperation and shared growth are conveyed to our people with clarity and context.

The ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Media Cooperation Forum is of particular significance to us as an ASEAN member. We see the 10+3 framework — uniting ASEAN, China, Japan, and South Korea — as a powerful engine for regional understanding and shared prosperity. By strengthening an "Asian Consciousness" and applying oriental wisdom, we can address regional and global challenges with approaches that reflect our shared cultural heritage and values.

We also face both unprecedented opportunities and new challenges in the age of artificial intelligence. While AI-powered tools can significantly enhance our efficiency and reach, they must be deployed with unwavering ethical standards, human oversight, and accountability at their core. This is essential to safeguard the integrity of information and our professional credibility.

The Agence Kampuchea Presse is fully committed to deepening our collaboration with media partners under the Belt and Road framework and within the ASEAN+3. By sharing experiences, best practices, and accurate information, we can collectively tackle the challenges of our time, promote mutual learning among our civilizations, and contribute to a more harmonious, informed, and interconnected region.

We look forward to the fruitful discussions, strengthening our professional networks, and participating in the media workshop that follows. Such opportunities are invaluable for enhancing our professional skills, exploring new technologies, and experiencing firsthand the dynamism and development of our partners here in China.

In this interconnected world, the media's influence extends far beyond headlines. Every story we choose to tell — and everyone we choose not to tell — shapes how our peoples perceive one another. We must take this responsibility seriously. For Cambodia, this means continuously promoting balanced reporting, supporting capacity-building for our journalists, and engaging more actively in regional and global media cooperation.

Let us leave Kunming with a renewed and resolute commitment to be truthful in our reporting, respectful in our dialogue, innovative in our methods, and united in our mission to bring people closer together.

Together, we can ensure that media remains not a divider of civilizations, but a strong and unwavering bridge between them, paving the way for peace, mutual understanding, and shared prosperity.

Thank you!