JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

7TH CONFERENCE

OF ASEAN MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMATION

18 - 19 OCTOBER 2002, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN,

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

1.     The Seventh Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on 18-19 October 2002, with the theme "Towards Projecting the Unity, Stability and Dynamism of ASEAN in the Global Communication Era" . The Conference was officially opened by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. 

2.     The Conference was attended by His Excellency Pehin Dato Isa bin Dato Ibrahim, the Special Adviser to His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Home Affairs of Brunei Darussalam; His Excellency Mr. Lu Laysreng, Senior Minister and Minister of Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia; His Excellency Mr. Syamsul Mu'arif, Minister for Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia; His Excellency Mr. Phanhdouangchith Vongsa, Minister of Information and Culture of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; His Excellency Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob, Minister of Information of Malaysia; His Excellency Brigadier General Aung Thein, Deputy Minister of Information of the Union of Myanmar; His Excellency Mr. Ignacio R. Bunye, Press Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines; His Excellency Mr. David Lim Tik En, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts of the Republic of Singapore; His Excellency Mr. Wissanu Krea-Ngam, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand; and His Excellency Mr. Pham Quang Nghi, Minister for Culture and Information of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; and their respective delegations. 

3.     His Excellency Pehin Dato Isa bin Dato Ibrahim, the Special Adviser to His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at The Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Home Affairs of Brunei Darussalam was elected as Chairperson of the Conference, and His Excellency Mr. Lu Laysreng, Senior Minister and Minister of Information of Cambodia was elected as Vice Chairperson.

4.     The Ministers were briefed by the Outgoing Chairperson, His Excellency Mr. Pham Quang Nghi, Minister of Culture and Information of Vietnam on developments that have taken place since the Sixth Conference of AMRI held in Hanoi, Vietnam in October 2000.

Keynote Address by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam

5.     In his keynote address, His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam emphasised the importance of ASEAN and declared that Southeast Asia is not just a geographical location or a random collection of states but an association in the fullest sense of the word standing for unity of vision, unity of direction, and unity of purpose.

6.     His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam emphasised that if ASEAN "integration" is to have lasting meaning, all the citizens in our region must be convinced that they have a real stake in the Association's success: a full stake in a vital partnership. 

7.     His Majesty said that the AMRI Memorandum of Understanding (in promoting awareness and understanding of ASEAN) provided a framework for positive action. With all the available means, new technology, talents and full support of ASEAN Leaders, the Ministers Responsible for Information could bind everything together and showcase ASEAN's work in the market of regional opinion and in the great showroom of international judgement.

Towards Projecting the Unity, Stability and Dynamism of ASEAN in the Global Communications Era

8.     The Ministers acknowledged the call by His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to strengthen collective efforts in projecting ASEAN's image more positively. 

9.     The Ministers agreed that in view of current global and regional challenges, there is a need to promote ASEAN as a unified, stable and dynamic region.

10.  The Ministers agreed to harness greater use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in disseminating information about ASEAN more effectively and engaging ASEAN Member Countries even closer both culturally and socially, as well as economically. 

11.  The Ministers were also mindful of the impact of negative coverage of ASEAN and agreed to counterbalance those coverage and at the same time be able to project the unity and special qualities of ASEAN. 

12.  The Ministers also agreed that they must improve the quality of contents and information being disseminated and broadcast so that they will be more attractive and have a greater impact on the audiences be it within or beyond ASEAN. 

13.  The Ministers emphasised the need for ASEAN to work closely with the media to convey information or messages that will shape the world's perception of ASEAN.

Image of ASEAN

14. The Ministers expressed satisfaction that all Member Countries have implemented their respective National Communication Plans to promote ASEAN awareness and understanding. They agreed that the national information agencies of Member Countries and the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) should continue and intensify promotional activities, campaigns and programmes aimed at fostering investor confidence by focusing on economic integration, especially the ASEAN Free Trade Area, ASEAN's stance on terrorism, and the role of ASEAN in strengthening regional peace and stability.

Response to Terrorism

15. The Ministers expressed their deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of victims of the recent terrorist acts in Bali, Indonesia and in Zamboanga City, Philippines. They condemned all forms of terrorism in all of its manifestations, and reaffirmed the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism.

ASEAN Television News

16.  The Ministers endorsed the project on ASEAN Television News, which aims to generate and make available more news on ASEAN by ASEAN to the public, the region and world media using Information Communication Technology. This reinforces the campaign for the promotion of ASEAN awareness and its standing in the international community.

AMRI Technical Working Committee

17. The Ministers agreed to form the AMRI Technical Working Committee consisting of senior officials and technical experts to bring about greater coordination and efficiency by reviewing AMRI projects and implementing directives as well as examining new proposals.

Closing and Acknowledgement

18. The Ministers expressed their sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Brunei Darussalam for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements contributing to the success of the Conference, The Ministers also thanked the ASEAN Secretariat for its invaluable assistance in facilitating the discussions during the Conference. 

19. The Conference was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN solidarity and friendship.