The Maldives is making final preparations to host the 21st Asia Media Summit (AMS 2026), set to begin tomorrow, May 11, marking the first time the prestigious regional media gathering will be held in the country. The four-day summit will continue until May 14 and is expected to bring together hundreds of media leaders, broadcasters, policymakers, journalists, regulators, and digital industry professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region.
The summit is being jointly organised by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) and Maldives’ state media company Public Service Media (PSM). Preparatory meetings and coordination efforts have intensified in recent days, with AIBD delegations already in the Maldives holding discussions with senior PSM officials and summit organisers to oversee final arrangements.
According to organisers, the summit will be held at Villa Nautica and is expected to attract around 500 high-ranking delegates from more than 30 countries, making it one of the largest international media conferences ever hosted in the Maldives.
This year’s summit will be held under the theme “Maldives 2.0: From Tradition to Tech,” focusing on digital transformation, artificial intelligence in media, broadcasting innovation, content creation, misinformation challenges, and the future of journalism in the Asia-Pacific region. Organisers say the summit aims to strengthen regional collaboration while exploring how media industries can adapt to rapidly evolving technologies.
Preparations across the Maldives have included venue setup, accommodation coordination, transportation logistics, technical broadcasting arrangements, media infrastructure upgrades, and security operations ahead of the arrival of international delegates. Authorities are also preparing special hospitality and tourism promotion activities to showcase the Maldives to visiting media executives and broadcasters.
The summit is also expected to feature pre-summit workshops, plenary discussions, executive sessions, intergovernmental dialogues, and the AIBD International Media Awards 2026 ceremony. This year’s awards will focus on media innovation, climate action, demographic shifts, and the impact of artificial intelligence on broadcasting and communication industries.
The Maldives was officially announced as the host nation during the closing ceremony of the 20th Asia Media Summit held in Cambodia last year. Government officials and media representatives have described hosting the summit as a major milestone for the country’s media industry and international visibility.
Officials say the event is expected to further position the Maldives as an emerging hub for international conferences, digital dialogue, and regional cooperation in media and communications.
