ABU Media Summit 2016 held in Thai South

KRABI, THAILAND, May 13 (TNA) - The Malaysia-based Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) hosts its Media Summit on Natural Disaster Risk Reduction in Thailand’s southern resort Krabi Province, scheduled for May 12-13. This year's ABU forum, co-hosted by Thai Public Broadcasting Services (PBS), brings together over 200 representatives from regional media organizations, UN agencies, government bodies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for discussions on climate change, natural disaster mitigation, risk management and disaster early warning. This week's ABU Summit is held in recognition of a key role of the regional media in supporting disaster mitigation and the coordination between them in Asia and the Pacific. Over 40 guest speakers were invited to share their experiences at the summit, held at the Maritime Park and Spa Resort Hotel. In his speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the summit on May 12, ABU Secretary-General Dr. Javad Mottaghi urged the regional media to provide the public with knowledge on impacts of the climate change for the ultimate goal of saving their lives. Robert Glasser, Special Representative of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of the Office of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), also gave a VDO message on impacts of natural disasters. The regional media participants were proposed that, apart from providing information, they look beyond what can be done with a focus on vulnerable people. Besides, the regional media should help everyone adapt their daily life to the climate change and play a crucial role on reducing mortality. Participating media organizations also made their recommendations on collaboration among parties concerned and learning from civil society networks who help reflect challenges in disaster prevention and mitigation. An exhibition on disaster risk reduction, presented by media organizations and educators, is also part of this year's ABU Summit. The participants were scheduled to also tour disaster-hit areas in Krabi and nearby areas. (TNA)