Director-General of the Government Public Relations Department Joins ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information Meeting to Advance Regional Media Strategy, Promote Online Safety, and Encourage Responsible AI Use

🇹🇭 24 June 2026

Director-General of the Government Public Relations Department Sudruetai Lertkasem, as head of the Thai delegation, is taking part in the 23rd ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI) Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on 24-25 June.

🤝 The meeting brings together senior media and information officials from all 11 ASEAN Member States to discuss the future directions of digital media transformation, media literacy, and online safety across the region.

🎯 Participants endorsed the new ASEAN Work Plan for Information and Media 2026–2035, aimed at preparing ASEAN for a safe, inclusive, and innovative digital future. The plan focuses on five core strategic areas:  enhancing access to information for all segments of society; increasing public awareness of ASEAN and its relevance to everyday life; promoting responsible media use; developing ASEAN communication personnel and institutions; and fostering the responsible use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).

💡 Thailand, through the Government Public Relations Department, proposed guidelines for enhancing cooperation with ASEAN Dialogue Partners by developing country-specific action plans, under the ASEAN–Japan and ASEAN–Republic of Korea cooperation frameworks. This approach would enable related activities to be tailored more effectively to each partner’s expertise and areas of interest.

🎬 Thailand also reported on the successful implementation of the ASEAN–Republic of Korea Film Leaders Incubator (FLY) Programme, which has provided opportunities for more than 300 emerging directors, screenwriters, and film producers from ASEAN and the Republic of Korea to build professional networks. This initiative contributes to the growth of ASEAN’s film and creative content industries, expanding audience reach, and enhancing their competitiveness in the global market.

📌 Held annually, the SOMRI Meeting serves as ASEAN’s senior-level mechanism for information and media cooperation. It is responsible for shaping regional policies and work plans in line with the shared vision of ASEAN Information Ministers. This year’s meeting also marked the first participation of Timor-Leste in ASEAN information and media cooperation as a full ASEAN Member State.